The Luggage Blog

The road to hell is paved on MALINTENT

Our good friends from the Department for Homeland Security are developing a system that will monitor various responses from travelers and determine whether or not they may be suspicious or have criminal intent.  The TSA already employs methods of psychological and behavioral screening, which they claim to be quite successful… but it’s done by actual trained human beings.  The MALINTENT device has the ability to detect subtle facial movements as well as body temperature, heart rate and respiration.  While a human being may overlook slight changes in a persons physiology, the device will always detect it.  The makers of the device also claim that it can differentiate between a stressed passenger and a malicious terrorist.

Project leader Bob Burns said:

“If you focus on looking at the person, you don’t have to worry about detecting the device itself… It analyses you against baseline stats when you walk in the door, it measures reactions and variations when you approach and go through the portal.”

Personally, I find the implications of that statement rather unsettling.  Rather than looking for harmful devices and dangerous situations, we would be relying on the device to find people who are untrustworthy and up to no good… potentially arresting the nervous hoodlum teenager and missing the deranged sociopath who’s able to walk through without displaying any sign of “malintent”.  Perhaps that conclusion is a bit extreme, but isn’t the point of all of our aviation abuse to take zero risks and avoid every possible negative situation?

The goal of MALINTENT is to avoid long lines and abolish the dreaded liquid bans.  But there are less invasive means of dealing with the issue of liquids and bombs, such as using devices that test liquids for explosives.  Even the TSA is attempting to test different methods of detecting bombs hidden in shoes.

The intentions of the developers of this technology seem to be based on good notions, but can we afford to continue to let the government push the envelope on exploitative technology in order to keep us safe?  Especially when it becomes a replacement for training and common sense and the people doing the screening are exempt from their own rules? I’m reminded of a phrase that I think the creators of MALINTENT may have missed…

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Sky News

The folks over at TwinCities had a great question from a reader regarding luggage locks.

“I bought a couple of TSA-approved padlocks. But we just returned from Rome to find the locks had been snipped off — along with most of the zipper pull. Leaving bags unlocked seems like an open invitation to any baggage handler with a little spare time, but locking invites the security people to ‘make their day.’ What is best today?”

They suggest that you use your best judgment to decide whether or not to use the locks, and mention that if you don’t use a lock, you shouldn’t store anything valuable in your checked luggage.  Even if you chose to lock your bag, you really should avoid checking valuables in case your bag is lost or damaged.

TSA spokeswoman Sterling Payne urges travelers to use a TSA approved lock because the officers are aware of which locks are approved. We’d like to point out that ANYONE can recognize which locks are approved since all of them are clearly marked.

If the TSA does damage your luggage you can file a claim here.

We’d also like to add that it’s never a bad idea to report any damage or loss to the Department of Transportation as well.

View TSA friendly locks on Luggage Online.

Photo by msmail.

The TSA just posted a video on their blog to clear up any confusion that still might be out there about checkpoint friendly laptop proceedures for those of us who don’t like to read.

And if you’re still looking for where to buy a checkpoint friendly bag, look no further.

Removing your shoes is probably one of the worst parts of flying lately.  (Well, that is, assuming you don’t having any piercings, an underwire bra, homebrew batteries, a macbook air, or metal implants—you get the idea!)  As hard as it can be to take the TSA’s word for anything, they have stressed in the past that screening shoes is incredibly important because it’s effective in detecting explosives.  So like it or not taking off our shoes is something we have to deal with, but maybe not indefinitely.  The TSA is testing a new shoe scanner which was developed by L3 communications (the same company that developed the notorious full body scanning millemeter wave machine) at Los Angeles International Airport.  Whether or not the new scanner will prove to be an adequate means of detecting bombs is still up in the air.  This isn’t the first time that the TSA has tried technology like this before to no avail.  Hopefully this time we won’t be left with dashed hopes and bare feet.

With all of the buzz lately about TSA laptop cases, the question on everyone’s mind is “Where can I find a TSA friendly laptop bag?”  Look no further folks because here is one of the first TSA friendly laptop cases on the market.

CODi Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Case makes getting through security a breeze.  It has a folding twin compartments and side buckles to keep the two compartments secure for portability.  The hinged design allows travelers to grab the handle off of the conveyor belt, so there’s no need to try to “reassemble” your bag before you go.

If you’re still wondering what exactly makes it TSA friendly, read on for all you need to know about TSA friendly laptop bags.

[Read more →]

1) Items not to wear or carry through security

• Jacket or anything with a hood because you will need to take it off
• Belt, the metal may set the sensor off
• Don’t wear tie shoes, we recommend slide shoes to make it easier
• Piercings are not prohibited but you may want to take them out just in case
• Keys and coins should not be in your pockets, they may set sensor off and Don’t forget your change!
• Gel inserts for shoes…must go through screening

2) Items to have handy with you through security

• Passport
• Identification
• Ticket

3) Items to keep separate

• Your computer…be sure you get it back too since many are being left at airports.  You should attach your id/business card so it can be returned to you if lost
• Quart size bag along with 3 oz bottles-only one per traveler allowed

4) Items not to carry-on

• Beverages..but you can purchase after going through security screening
• Lighters
• Scissors longer than 4 inches
• Box cutters & knives
• If your just not sure, check it!

5) The TSA line preference in use at 21 airports

• Check it out! It may be useful for you
• Expert traveler
• Casual traveler
• Families and special assistance