I spy with my little eye: TSA rolling out new ‘behavior detection officers’

the daily caller ^ | 8/3/11 | C.J. Ciaramella

[EBH]

Passengers flying through Boston’s Logan International Airport will notice the security screeners are chattier than usual, but it’s not an improved customer service policy.

On Tuesday the Transportation Security Administration began a test-run at Logan of its SPOT program, which stands for Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques...

“...The vast majority of passengers will experience a casual greeting conversation with the BDO as they go through identity verification,” a TSA spokesperson said. “A small portion of passengers may get selected for an extended, but still limited conversation.”

Since its creation in 2007, TSA’s SPOT program has grown almost fifteen-fold. As of May 2010, about 3,000 BDOs were deployed at 161 airports nationwide at an annual cost of more than $200 million.

So far, after three years of operation and almost $1 billion spent, SPOT has never been scientifically proven effective and has never caught one actual terrorist...

...According to information provided by TSA to Nature magazine, BDOs referred more than 232,000 people for secondary screening during the SPOT program’s first phase, from January 2006 through to November 2009. Secondary screening involves closer inspection of bags and testing for explosives.

The vast majority of those subjected to extra inspection continued with no further delays. But 1,710 were arrested, which the TSA points to as evidence of the program’s effectiveness.

In other words, less than 1 percent of referrals lead to an arrest. And most arrests were for criminal activity, such as outstanding warrants or illegal citizenship status. One man was arrested in 2008 after BDOs stopped him at Orlando International Airport while he was carrying explosive components. In 2007 TSA stopped another man who was carrying a loaded handgun at Baltimore-Washington International.

[Falcon4.0]

They will never be as pleasant as the Israeli screeners.

[WOBBLY BOB]

ACLU to sue in 3,2,1...

call it , friendo.

[CholeraJoe]

It’s been a long time since an El-Al airliner was hijacked or bombed.

[DoughtyOne]

Great, so now after granny is stripped and her diaper removed they’ll have her stand there naked and ask her questions.

Thank God for illegal aliens or McDonald’s could never have replaced all the workers that went to the TSA.

[Frank_2001]

Chatty security screeners?? If you notice yours is named Jack, is it okay to greet him with “HI, JACK!” /s;)

[albie]

“A small portion of passengers may get selected for an extended, but still limited conversation.”

...I’ll let my 87 year old white, blue haired Mother in law know to be prepared for a delay.

[Joe Boucher]

Huh,
What could go wrong???

[LibWhacker]

Useless if they don’t require their officers to have an IQ above 62.

[EBH]

less than 1 percent of referrals lead to an arrest

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

IIRC, the Israeli’s use a similar program, while dispensing with the nudie pictures and cop-a-feels. I can’t recall that any El-Al flights have been hijacked any time recently.

[Responsibility2nd]

My thoughts exactly.

Haven’t the Israeli’s been using this technique for years? And successfully at that?

Leave it to the tards at the TSA to screw it up.

[Dallas59]

Talking and talking talking...

[Nervous Tick]

I experienced what must have been a pilot run of this program in Charlotte last year. It was not the least bit annoying or intrusive. The TSA types that did it were quite professional.

Frankly, this sort of thing is exactly what TSA *should* be doing to keep air travel safe.

But they should be using these techniques *instead of* their intrusive body gropes and X-ray machines, not *in addition to* them.

[Blood of Tyrants]

You mean that the might just start looking for terrorists instead of nail clippers?

[rdcbn]

Me too. I was impressed.

[Dick Bachert]

Pictured here is the first TSA hire under the new SPOT program. Harvey Schmegma, was a former participant in the Pentagon’s controversial program featured in the recent film “Men Who Stare at Goats.” Due to his excellent resume and prior experience in a similar program, Mr. Schmegma will begin service as TSA’s National Training Supervisor. Schmegma, who claims to have killed over a dozen goats during his Army service, also admitted to an unfortunate accident involving a cherished pet. “I was angry at my dog for peeing on my copy of the 255 pound TSA training manual and stared at him just a wee bit too hard. Damned if he didn’t just keel over and die.” Through tears and a voice choked in emotion, Mr. Schmegma, blurted out “Dog’s name was Spot so I took that as a sign that I was destined for this new TSA program. They want me to wear dark glasses so that doesn’t happen to any passangers.” He begins a 3 day training course at Boston Logan Airport next week.

[cripplecreek]

Sounds ominous but I agree its probably a better way.

I think of the LAX bomber who was caught by a border agent who just didn’t like the way he acted.

[Clump]

If this was such great technology the airlines would pay for it.
Turn over security to the people who have a financial interest in keeping passengers safe.
Then stop all the damn bailouts.
Give capitalism a chance.
Oh wait... that is the old America.
Welcome to zombieland.

[freedumb2003]

>>But they should be using these techniques *instead of* their intrusive body gropes and X-ray machines, not *in addition to* them.<<

You hit it on the head.

Well, Homeland Security is making noises about Trusted Traveler again. I have it for International travel but would love to see it for domestic travel.