• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  News • TSA  >  TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
NewsTSA

TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 31, 2009 Leave a Comment

I know, I know: another attack on the TSA. But after reading this, I hope you agree another post was warranted.

Chris Elliot, a travel blogger, Washington Post columnist, and MSNBC contributor asked the TSA to clarify its new screening policies. The TSA did not get back to Elliot. Perhaps in frustration or perhaps performing his duty as a pseudo-journalist, Elliot published the entire new TSA directive (reproduced below) he had obtained from an undisclosed source.

Last night, he got a knock on his door and was served a subpoena asking him to divulge the source of his information.

Steven Frischling, a Boarding Area blogger, was also paid a visit by the government and his computer was confiscated for "forensic" analysis.

According to Frishling, federal agents this morning removed his computer for forensics analysis. He says he didn’t see any other recourse than to hand over the equipment. "It was ‘give it to us voluntarily or we will take every computer, blackberry and iPhone out of your house’," Frischling tells RWG.

A couple points. First, did the TSA or the directive itself ever indicate that it was sensitive information that could not be disseminated or reproduced? Sort of. It does say:

AIRCRAFT OPERATOR dissemination required: The aircraft operator must immediately pass the information and directives set forth in this SD to all stations affected, and provide written confirmation to its PSI, indicating that all stations affected have acknowledged receipt of the information and directives set forth in this SD. The aircraft operator must disseminate this information to its senior management personnel, ground security coordinators, and supervisory security personnel at all affected locations. All aircraft operator personnel implementing this SD must be briefed by the aircraft operator on its content and the restrictions governing dissemination. No other dissemination may be made without prior approval of the Assistant Secretary for the Transportation Security Administration. Unauthorized dissemination of this document or information contained herein is prohibited by 49 CFR Part 1520 (see 69 Fed. Reg. 28066 (May 18, 2004). [bolding mine]

But apparently that blurb was not part of the document received by Elliot and Frischling. Frischling claims that he had no reason to believe that the TSA had prohibited the disemenation of the security directive.

Second, are you comfortable with the fact the TSA can shield information that directly affects you under the guise of national security? I am not. And that is why I will continue to harp on the TSA, an organization which I am convinced has given terrorists a victory almost as sweet as murder.

As long as we continue to be complacent in accepting the TSA/DHS power-grab, we will only have ourselves to blame when we wake up one morning to find ourselves queuing like mules in airport security lines, forced to present our "papers" to travel, and face arrest for questioning that the government knows what is best for us. Oh wait…

The directive:

Due to the recent event on Delta’s flight 253 AMS-DTW, airlines are being asked to use a best faith effort to implement, as soon as possible, the following security items on international flights arriving into the United States. We expect additional information/changes from the TSA to be disseminated within the next 24 hours.

I. BOARDING GATE

A. The aircraft operator or authorized air carrier representative must ensure all passengers are screened at the boarding gate during the boarding process using the following procedures. These procedures are in addition to the screening of all passengers at the screening checkpoint.

* 1. Perform thorough pat-down of all passengers at boarding gate prior to boarding, concentrating on upper legs and torso.
* 2. Physically inspect 100 percent of all passenger accessible property at the boarding gate prior to boarding, with focus on syringes beingtransported along with powders and/or liquids.
* 3. Current restrictions regarding liquids, aerosols, and gels will be strictly adhered to.
* 4. Crewmembers working the flight and those deadheading in uniform are exempt from the above screening measures.

II. IN FLIGHT

A. During flight, the aircraft operator must ensure that the following procedures are followed:

* 1. Passengers must remain in seats beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
* 2. Passenger access to carry-on baggage is prohibited beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
* 3. Disable passenger cabin SATCOM capability. Any need for air to ground communication will be coordinated through the flight deck. GPS generated moving maps in the cabin will also be disabled. Attempts to access the moving map display will lock up the screen requiring a Flight Attendant reset to access other components of the IFE program.
* 4. While over U.S. airspace, flight crew may not make any announcement to passengers concerning flight path or position over cities or landmarks.
* 5. Passengers may not conceal their hands under blankets, pillows, or personal belongings held on their lap beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination. Pillows and blankets may be stowed under the seat in front or in overhead bins. Customers may retain any reading material issued by the Company and/or a personal book. They may also retain a jacket or sweater as long as their hands are not concealed by the garment.

Please contact your dispatcher or Chief Pilot Office if you have any questions concerning the above items.

Lyle Hogg
Vice President Flight Operations

According to this, airlines are responsible for insuring we are screened a second time before we board the aircraft. Good thing such job duties are part of the AFA contract.

 

Previous Article What You Didn’t Hear on my NPR Interview
Next Article Stuck in Lisbon: What it Feels Like to Have No Status

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Super Bowl LVII Flights

    United Airlines Adds Super Bowl Flights

    January 30, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Lost $800 Million During Meltdown!

    January 26, 2023
  • Delta Air Lines Auckland

    Delta Air Lines Adds New Los Angeles – Auckland Service

    January 20, 2023

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Southwest Airlines Wheelchair Accident
    Family Sues Southwest Airlines For Negligence After Death Of 25-Year-Old Daughter February 1, 2023
  • Hotel Hairdresser Massage
    Hotel Hairdresser Invites Himself To My Room February 1, 2023
  • Mount Nebo Jordan
    Visiting Mount Nebo In Jordan February 1, 2023
  • A Silly Attack On United Airlines’ Boarding Process January 31, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Casting Couch? Kuwait Airways Forces Prospective Flight Attendants To Undress For “Research Purposes” January 4, 2023
  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • SWISS First Class Awards Bookable With United Airlines MileagePlus January 5, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.