Tue, Jul 01, 2008
BDOs To Watch For 'Suspicious' Behavior
One of the most unpleasant airport security aspects seen in the
months following 9/11 is making an unwelcome comeback. If you are
flying in or out of a US airport this summer, you may find
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) conducting random
additional screening at airline gates.
The screenings -- part of TSA's awkwardly-acronymed Aviation
Direct Access Screening Program (ADASP) -- may include checking
passenger identification and boarding passes, conducting physical
searches of carry-on luggage, using handheld explosive detection
units and screening of individuals.
The checks are not announced in advance... and can occur at any
gate, at any time. Screeners may also board aircraft to conduct
searches (above) or pat down ramp personnel (bottom.)
In addition, Behavior Detection Officers (or BDOs... yet
another unfortunate TSA acronym, that to our ears sounds more like
a personal hygiene issue than a job title --
Ed.) will accompany the TSOs during some of
the screening activities to provide an additional layer of
security. BDOs screen travelers for involuntary physical and
physiological reactions that indicate stress, fear or
deception.
"TSA recognizies that an individual exhibiting some of these
behaviors does not automatically mean a person has terrorist or
criminal intent," the agency helpfully points out. "BDOs do,
however, help our security officers focus appropriate resources on
determining if an individual presents a higher risk or if his/her
behavior has a non-threatening origin."
Feel safer now? Nope? Me neither...
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