TSA gets hip, interactive

The Transportation Safety Administration’s new interactive web presence promises great things. Can it deliver?

“In TSA’s checkpoint of the future, passengers will approach the security kiosk, carry-on in hand, and put a biometric on the scanner. While the scanning system clears you after it confirms your identity and flight information, the technology in the kiosk will verify that there are no truly dangerous items on you or in your bag. Total elapsed time: about 1.75 seconds. Version Two will add a Teleporter so that you will not need to get on an airplane.

Your grandchildren will love it.”

 Somewhere, over the rainbow. Closer to reaity:

“We have some significant changes in store for the checkpoint starting this spring. I would like your thoughts and I hope TSA will earn your support in our common mission. Please take a look at our Checkpoint Evolution micro-site.

TSA has taken a fresh look at our checkpoint operations to see if we can improve security and the passenger experience with what we have today. We took what we know from the intelligence and security communities, we listened to our employees, we learned from passengers (including on this blog), we evaluated readily deployable technology, and have come up with changes that we have begun piloting.”

The TSA blog does look impressive and they claim it has already helped shape their procedures. The new “mcro site” - Checkpoint Evolution - is worth checking out, but a grain of salt might be helpful. The TSA’s use of the term “evolution” seems to assume that they are in the process of adapting and improving. Let’s hope so.

Update on March 31, 2008 by Brad

The new TSA vibe: CALM.  Are you ready for the calming checkpoint?

The checkpoint to be tested in May at one terminal in Baltimore is based on a simple premise: serenity adds security. Mauve lights glow softly, soothing music hums, and smiling employees offer quiet greetings and assistance.

“A chaotic, noisy, congested checkpoint is a security nightmare. Chaos gives camouflage,” (TSA administrator Kip) Hawley said. “A chaotic environment puts subtle pressure on (screeners) to rush the job.”

Hawley has sought to “calm the passenger” as he has focused the TSA on intercepting terrorists before they get to checkpoints, where they could slip plastic explosives past X-ray machines. About 1,200 screeners at 70 large airports specialize in passenger observation and pick out people who appear suspicious for closer questioning or pat-downs. - USA TODAY