Dr. Todd Curtis of AirSafe.com Discusses a Key TSA Screening Policy on the Gregg Knapp Experience

Nov 23, 2008 – Aviation safety expert Dr. Todd Curtis discusses the effectiveness of a TSA behavior detection program that identifies passengers for extra screening based on what the TSA describes as suspicious behavior.

Dr. Todd Curtis of AirSafe.com and Gregg Knapp of Radio America show 'The Gregg Knapp Experience' discussed a TSA behavior detection program that singles out passengers for extra screening based on what the TSA describes as suspicious behavior. Since the program began in 2006, over 160,000 passengers were pulled aside for additional checks such as a pat-down search or an interivew. Less than one percent of those passengers were arrested, often on charges related to drugs or carrying false identification. The TSA didn't mention whether any of those searched or arrested were on any kind of terror watch list, or intended to commit a terrorist act.

Among the issues Dr. Curtis had with this TSA program is that useful data for evaluating the effectiveness of the program is not provided by the TSA. This is an issue that reflects an ongoing concern by AirSafe.com that detailed information on security-related matters typically is not provided by the US government. This contrasts with the policies of other countries. For example, the UK transportation safety authorities released a very detailed official report on the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Dr. Curtis attests that the report has been an important resource for the aviation safety community, and the finds of that report has influenced the design of modern commercial jet airliners.

By comparison with the UK and other countries, events involving sabotage, hijackings, and other deliberate actions against commercial airliners are considered law enforcement related events, with little or no information about these events voluntarily released to the general public.

To help the public deal with current TSA security policies, AirSafe.com provides advice on what passengers can do to deal with TSA security issues at http://tsa.airsafe.org. You can listen to the interview at http://podcast.airsafe.org. Available resources include extensive information on current TSA rules, advice on packing, advice on traveling with duty free items such as alcohol and perfume, and links to airline complaint resources.

AirSafe.com provides the public with factual and timely information on airline safety and security events, as well as information about fear of flying, baggage rules, filing airline complaints, and other airline issues that concern the flying public.

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This release was published on openPR.