New Security Measures for Some Flights Into the U.S.

In response to the attempted terrorist attack of a U.S. Airliner Friday, word comes of added security measures for certain international flights bound for the United States. This includes prohibiting passengers from getting up out of their seat or carrying any personal items in their lap during the last hour of a flight and tighter restrictions on carry-on bags. Some sources are reporting a complete ban of electronics on flights, including on-board entertainment.

But these new measures are not being applied consistently and some travelers have reported little, if any noticeable changes in security. In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said, "These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere." This story is still developing. Visit Reuters for the latest.

TSA Ends Clear Airport Security Program

On Twitter @ inFLIGHTout: TSA's Clear program for travelers abruptly ends.

Pilots Landing at Sea-Tac Airport Report Laser Incidents

This past weekend several pilots landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reported someone was shining a green laser light into the cockpits of the aircraft. This annoyance and safety issue is an ongoing issue that has plagued pilots throughout the country.

In the Seattle incidents, all the aircraft landed safely. But according to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 148 laser-related incidents this year. Last week a laser incident was reported at San Jose airport.

Aviation officials fear that the laser pointers may one day contribute to a plane accident, as the lights are pointed directly into cockpit windows during take-off or landing phases, the most dangerous part of any flight.

Pilots Landing at Sea-Tac Airport Report Laser Incidents

This past weekend several pilots landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport reported someone was shining a green laser light into the cockpits of the aircraft. This annoyance and safety issue is an ongoing issue that has plagued pilots throughout the country.

In the Seattle incidents, all the aircraft landed safely. But according to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been 148 laser-related incidents this year. Last week a laser incident was reported at San Jose airport.

Aviation officials fear that the laser pointers may one day contribute to a plane accident, as the lights are pointed directly into cockpit windows during take-off or landing phases, the most dangerous part of any flight.

TSA To Relax Liquid Ban in 2009

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to relax current restrictions on carrying liquids through airport screening checkpoints within a year, said TSA chief Kip Hawley in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal.

“We are within a year of having the ability to differentiate threat liquids through the screening process,” said Hawley. Although several X-Ray machines are available to detect such liquids, the software to evaluate detected liquids is still being tested.

TSA has not said specifically how the anticipated ease of restrictions will benefit travelers. One possibility is larger volumes of liquids, such as a full water bottle, may be initially permitted through checkpoints, as long as it is scanned separately from bags. Later, the hope is passengers will not need to remove liquids from bags, a common frustration for air travelers.

Discarded Toiletries From Airports May Be Donated

Despite established TSA rules limiting the amount of liquids that can be brought through security, each day thousands of pounds of toothpaste, shampoo and other liquid products are discarded at airport security.

According to a KOVR-13 (Sacramento) news report, a successful trial in Fresno and Bakersfield is prompting one state lawmaker to consider mandating discarded items be donated to charity, rather than simply thrown away.

Read more here. Video is located to the right of the article.

Airlines blast plan to fingerprint foreign travelers

(USA Today) WASHINGTON — Airlines are protesting a government plan that would require them to take fingerprints of foreign travelers as they fly out of the USA, saying it could create massive lines at airport check-in counters.

Congress has required that the 33 million foreigners a year coming into U.S. airports be fingerprinted when they arrive and leave the country but did not specify who should take the prints.

The Homeland Security Department, which currently fingerprints foreigners coming into U.S. airports, wants airlines to be responsible for taking fingerprints as these travelers leave.
More here

TSA launches 'Evolution of Security' website

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), most notably known as the men and women working airport security checkpoints throughout the United States, have started their own blog. Titled, "The Evolution of Security," the TSA hopes their blog will initiate dialog about issues that effect travelers. Likewise, they plan on using this forum to help answer the "why" questions many travelers have about existing security methods TSA employs. Moderation of the blog is performed by various TSA personnel from around the country.

Visit "The Evolution of Security"