New federal air passenger screening program set to start this summer | MST

[Ediacara]

New federal air passenger screening program set to start this summer
Eric Wieffering, Star Tribune

Published January 25, 2004



Northwest Airlines and every other U.S. airline soon will be required to send the names and travel plans of all their customers to the federal government as part of a massive computerized screening program designed to identify potential terrorists before they board an airplane.

The program, to be run by an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, is on track to begin this summer, despite concerns that it could infringe on passengers' privacy. Last week, Northwest came under fire after acknowledging that it had voluntarily turned over passenger travel data to NASA after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

But in the next few months, airlines will begin transferring passenger data -- including name, address, birthdate and credit card numbers -- for live testing of the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System, or CAPPS II.

More at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[ixion]

1. people should boycott the airlines

as long as they are willing to abide by this facist tactic and invasion of privacy.

[RC]

2. And when flying is the only way to get there?

Ships can take weeks.

[Democat]

3. How do you boycott airlines?

Take a bus to London?

[ixion]

4. oh, sorry to inconvenience you...

when your profile shows that you've posted here on DU and you're 'disappeared' for being a disruptor, perhaps you'll be more willing to go the extra mile. ;-)

[Ediacara]

5. I wish it were that easy

but in our instant world, driving cross-country or taking our VERY limited national train service just doesn't cut it. I'm with you in spirit, but to get to the UK, I'm not about to book a room on the QM2 :-)

[ixion]

6. yeah, I understand

if you gotta fly, you gotta, I guess. But I'm more reluctant to do so now that CAPPS II is out there. :-(

[alittlelark]

13. if you are in the business world

you have no choices (unless your co has a private jet -echoes of ENRON)

[Paranoid_Portlander]

7. Interrogators with lie detector goggles...

... may be coming soon. If a question upsets you while answering "no", you could be falsely accused with no recourse. Details at www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20040116S0050

[deek]

12. these would be great for the SOTU !!

.

[alarimer]

8. Where do our candidates stand on this?

Have they said? Are any of them planning on abolishing this if elected? I would bet not (except perhaps Kucinich).

[havocmom]

9. Did the airlines ever put good, solid doors to keep the cockpits safe?

Cuz til that happens, I don't believe they are interested in safety in the least.

[PartyPooper]

10. Why do they need "credit card numbers"?

eom.

[ixion]

11. so they can analyze what you've been buying

and see if it fits a 'profile'.

[gate of the sun]

14. does anyone think

being on democratic underground will bring up a red flag? we already know that being a "green" does or could. A friend of mine's Aunt went to Canada and upon returning to the states was handcuffed and interagated because of a "minor" pot charge 15 years ago. What do you think is that typical? Makes me pause I may not be flying come this summer.

[Paranoid_Portlander]

15. Kick.

.

[barbaraann]

16. Just in time for the 2004 election.

They can screen out GOP convention protestors, Dem convention attendees, etc. etc. etc.

This is unbelievable.