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...

FMI: www.tsa.gov