Most Clicked AAAE Security SmartBrief Stories
1. Passenger who caused diversion will not face charges
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 25, 2012
A woman who allegedly told a flight attendant that she had a surgically implanted device in her body will not face criminal charges, authorities said. Lucie Zeeko Marigo, a citizen of France, gave a note to flight attendants that mentioned a surgically implanted device and a book she wrote "that details her personal story," according to U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty. The note prompted officials to divert the flight. Marigo will be returned to France. Reuters (05/24)
2. N.Y.-N.J. port authority unveils customer-service avatar at NYC airports
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey showed off its new customer-service avatar at La Guardia and Newark Liberty airports Monday, a $250,000 device that answers passenger questions and gives directions for connecting flights. The agency plans to begin using the avatar kiosks at all three of New York's major airports this summer. Wall Street Journal, The (05/21)
3. Port Authority fires security contractor over fake identification issue
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is ending its contract with a company that employed a security supervisor at Newark Airport who worked under a false name for 20 years. FJC Security had two contracts worth $550 million. "Recent serious lapses are unacceptable," said PA Executive Director Pat Foye. "The entire security function at the PA is under review, including our current private security vendor." SecurityInfoWatch.com (05/23)
4. Delta could purchase more regional jets
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Delta Air Lines could purchase more regional jets once a contract with pilots is ratified, its pilots union says. Gina Laughlin, a spokeswoman for Delta, said a ratified contract would lead to "productivity gains and additional aircraft flexibility, including an opportunity to accelerate Delta's domestic fleet restructuring strategy, which will result in a better customer travel experience." Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (05/21) Bloomberg Businessweek (05/21)
5. TSA seeks proposals for hand-held screening devices
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The Transportation Security Administration is looking for ways to reduce the need for "enhanced pat-downs." It recently sought proposals for hand-held devices "capable of screening all areas of the body without removal of clothing beyond outwear." New American, The (05/22)
6. Fla. congressman seeks to privatize airport screening
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., helped create the Transportation Security Administration a decade ago, but he's now calling for airport screening to be privatized. A law passed this year that Mica supported makes it easier for airports to switch to private screeners. Orlando Sanford International Airport recently submitted an application for private screening to the TSA. "We want to do it ourselves so we know it's done right," said Larry Dale, the airport's president. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.) (05/22)
7. Flight diverted after passenger raises threat of implanted device
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
A US Airways flight was diverted and met by Transportation Security Administration agents after a female passenger exhibited suspicious behavior and passed a note indicating she had a surgically implanted device in her body. The flight, which left from Paris and was bound for Charlotte, was diverted to Bangor, Maine, under escort from fighter jets. The traveler was handcuffed and questioned by federal officials. She was later examined by a doctor, who found no scars. WCVB-TV (Boston) (05/22)
8. Clear returns to San Francisco airport this week
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 23, 2012
The Clear pre-screening program will return to San Francisco International Airport today. Clear, which uses biometric technology to screen travelers, suspended operations in 2009 after filing for bankruptcy. Alclear, based in New York, purchased Clear in 2010 and revived operations in Denver and Orlando. Clear previously had 40,000 members in the Bay Area. San Francisco Chronicle (05/23)
9. TSA hopes a hand-held device will reduce pat-downs
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 29, 2012
The Transportation Security Administration hopes to develop a hand-held screening device that will greatly reduce the number of passenger pat-downs. The TSA is seeking a device capable of determining within 15 seconds whether an object is a weapon or an explosive. "If possible, the goal is to detect all threats, including metal and explosives," the TSA said in its request for proposals. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (05/27)
10. TSA says scanners, pat-downs may detect underwear bombs
AAAE Security SmartBrief | May 24, 2012
Transportation Security Administration Administrator John Pistole said the TSA's advanced imaging scanners have "the best chance" of detecting underwear bombs. “This is not 100 percent guaranteed,” he said. “If it comes down to a terrorist who has a well-concealed device, and we have no intelligence about him, and he comes to an advanced-imaging technology machine, it is still our best technology. But it’s really an open question about whether the machine, or the AIT operator, would detect the device.” Pistole said the TSA has developed mockups of underwear bombs and is training agents how to detect them via pat-downs. “If done properly, it may be found,” Pistole said. New York Post (05/24)
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