U.S. PLANS PRE-FLIGHT CODING OF PASSENGERS (Big Brother)

The Buffalo News ^ | February 28, 2003 | Associated Press

[Marianne]

WASHINGTON - The government is getting ready to test a new risk-detection system that would check background information and assign a threat level to everyone who buys a ticket for a commercial airline flight.

The system, ordered by Congress after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will gather much more information on passengers than at present. Delta Air Lines will try it out at three airports beginning next month, and a comprehensive system could be in place by the end of the year.

Transportation officials say a contractor will be chosen soon to build the nationwide computer system, which will check such things as credit reports and bank account activity and compare passenger names with government watch lists.

Advocates say the system will weed out dangerous people while ensuring that law-abiding citizens aren't given unnecessary scrutiny.

Critics see a potential for unconstitutional invasions of privacy and database mix-ups that could brand innocent people as security risks.

"We may be creating a massive surveillance system without public discussion," said Barry Steinhardt of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Transportation officials say CAPPS II - Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System - will use databases that already operate in line with privacy laws and won't profile based on race, religion or ethnicity.

An oversight panel, which will include a member of the public, is being formed. And the Transportation Security Administration will set up procedures to resolve complaints. .

Transportation Department spokesman Chet Lunner said a Federal Register notice about CAPPS II that said the background information will be stored for 50 years is inaccurate. He said such information will be held only for people deemed security risks.

CAPPS II will collect data and rate each passenger's risk potential according to a three-color system: green, yellow, red. When travelers check in, their names will be punched into the system and the boarding passes encrypted with the ranking. TSA screeners will check the passes at checkpoints. Most passengers will be rated green and will be subjected to normal checks; yellow will get extra screening; red won't fly.

[Marianne]

Advocates say the system will weed out dangerous people while ensuring that law-abiding citizens aren't given unnecessary scrutiny.

[InvisibleChurch]

I want my threat level noted as 'giraffe 4'.

[cajungirl]

I guess the usual folks will scream about big brother but those of us who fly alot will welcome prescreening. Let them know all they want to know about me if it gets me thru screening without a search, etc. They can fingerprint me, scan my iris, use those see thru scanners and know my bank balance and my medical records, whatever, just get me thru the damn line.

[brewcrew]

Advocates say the system will weed out dangerous people while ensuring that law-abiding citizens aren't given unnecessary scrutiny.

Anything to keep these new airport security people from asking me - a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, WASP-looking 42-year-old male - to remove my shoes. It's happened more than once.

Maybe IRA-looking types are on the list?

[c-b 1]

It is your right to submit to Big Brother, just as it is my right to avoid airports.

[CobaltBlue]

Why on earth would one's credit history be helpful?

[DAnconia55]

Those that participate will be labelled :

Sheep #123123. Sheep # 123124, etc.

[PokeyJoe]

I raise a reasonable question: what the hell in a credit report indicates that a person has some predispossesion to be a security risk, or dangerous?

next question: Should airline tickets cost more merely because you don't have a 750 beacon credit rating? It's implied in the reasoning - and is the next logical step. "We are simply passing along costs to those consumers who the TSA has identified as requiring more security at the gate. We are not chargine more for those with good credit."

It's a slippery slope that I'm not sure the public is prepared to take a ride down.

[DAnconia55]

It is your right to submit to Big Brother, just as it is my right to avoid airports.

Actually it's worse. Because no airport or airline can resist this.

You and I couldn't open "Freedom Air" - allow no screening, except preventing all Arabs (profile), and expect to get away with it.

They'd shut us down.

[goodnesswins]

Actually, don't PRIVATE jets operate that way....they get to choose who flies and who does not....don't they?

[Hostage]

Several years ago a friend of mine had his car stolen by two drunken teenagers. They ran into an electric pole and totaled the car. They were arrested, convicted and forced to pay restitution.

Years later my friend went to the DMV to renew his drivers license. The clerk told him a warrant was out for his arrest in connection with destruction of public property, something about an electric pole.

True story.

Another friend of mine got a letter from the IRS claiming he owed back taxes for three years over the past nine, Trouble was the taxes that were claimed owed exceeded his income for the last ten years.

I could go on.

I have two auto accidents in my life, one serious. Everyone that knows me considers me a safe driver, I don't drink and drive, I don't do drugs and I keep the auto checked and safe.

The point is that if we live long enough we will see things happen that just shouldn't happen and yet we are powerless to avoid them.

[meyer]

Transportation Department spokesman Chet Lunner said a Federal Register notice about CAPPS II that said the background information will be stored for 50 years is inaccurate. He said such information will be held only for people deemed security risks.

The devil's in the details, of course. Just what criteria is used to determine if one is a "security risk"? Does the criteria change depending on which party is in power?

[galt-jw]

So, let me see if I have this straight.

1. Constitutional violation of citizens rights on a level that would make East Germany blush are being implemented to keep terrorists at bay.

2. The borders are wide open, allowing terrorists free entry. Citizens who wish to leave the nation must have proper clearance from the state.

3. The fact that airliners were highjacked and crashed into buildings stems from the governments policy of allowing knives onto same.

4. Contradictions do not exist, and the government is not acting to stop terrorism. It's behavior indicates it is acting to restrict freedoms under the auspices of terrorism prevention.

Understand?

[c-b 1]

They'd shut us down.

Sad but true.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

" I guess the usual folks will scream about big brother but those of us who fly alot will welcome prescreening. Let them know all they want to know about me if it gets me thru screening without a search, etc. They can fingerprint me, scan my iris, use those see thru scanners and know my bank balance and my medical records, whatever, just get me thru the damn line."

I'm with you,but,hope your computer is fire retardant,as we are going to be flamed to a crisp by the civil libertarians here.I completely understand their point of view, and were this the clinton administration and Janet Reno, I would be among the most vocal railing against their policies.But 9/11 and the fact that George Bush is President,have changed the dynamic. The more you fly,especially for your livelihood,the more you don't care if the TSA knows what brand of toothpaste you use,just get me through the checkpoints more quickly.I also have to say that I have been impressed with the TSA screeners-much more efficient and professional than what we used to have.It's not a perfect situation,but considering the times we live in,one I can live with.

[meyer]

It is your right to submit to Big Brother, just as it is my right to avoid airports.

Today, airports. Tomorrow, freeways? Heck, they already do checkpoints to see if one is intoxicated (never mind how it affects their driving).

[galt-jw]

It is your right to submit to Big Brother

You are deeply confused, respectfully. Submission under threat of incarceration or death to an individual by the state is a violation of rights.

surely, you do not make the contradiction of "rights of the collective"?

[livius]

whatever, just get me thru the damn line.

That's my feeling, too. But I'd like to know what criteria they use. That is, will it be PC criteria that doesn't think being a native of certain countries is particularly dangerous (remember the 9/11 hijackers)? Will it not think that a convicted felon or even a person with multiple misdemeanors of a certain class might be particularly suspect (think the DC snipers and Richard Reid)?

Or will it still be looking for native born, prosperous Christian or Jewish Americans who might for some reason be feeling homicidal that day (I mean, maybe they maxed out their charge cards or something)?

[ECM]

And all of this prevents terrorism how?

[jackbill]

It is your right to submit to Big Brother, just as it is my right to avoid airports.

Does it bother you that everything that you've ever written, every thread that you've accessed here on FR is monitored and accessible to anyone here?