Cazul
Pe 26 decembrie, un nigerian incearca sa arunce in aer un avion al companiei americane Delta Airlines care se pregatea sa aterizeze pe aeroportul din Detroit dupa un lung zbor de la Amsterdam. Teroristul nu s-a miscat cum a trebuit si dupa interventia unor pasageri s-a produs doar o mica explozie, nimeni nefiind ranit.

Nigerianul in varsta de 23 de ani, Farouk Abdulmutallab pe numele sau, era un student la University College London – o universitate de elita si facea parte din grupul celor mai buni studenti. Desi tatal – un bancher nigerian cunoscut si apreciat pe plan international – a avertizat ambasada americana din Abuja ca fiul sau ar fi putut fi “radicalizat”, insa oficialitatile americane nu i-au suspendat acestuia viza ci doar s-au multumit sa-l puna pe o lista a persoanelor care pot reprezenta un pericol la adresa securitatii SUA.

Totusi pasagerul s-a imbarcat la bordul aeronavei Delta Airlines:

Problema: Securitatea zborurilor
Acum americanii incep sa-si puna din nou problema securitatii zborurilor (pe care credeau ca au rezolvat-o de cand cu 9/11). Ca atare sa inceapa isteria!

NOI solutii la problema:
1. Securitate MAI sporita in aeroport
La ce trebuie sa va asteptati daca calatoriti spre/dinspre Statele Unite
- o mai mare atentie a gardienilor la Security Check; scoateti tot ce aveti in buzunare, nu uitati de ceasul de la mana… si rugati-va sa nu “bipaie” dracia aia de scanner = un timp mai mare de asteptat la controlul de securitate;
- o mai mare atentie la controlul pasapoartelor = stat la coada pentru mai mult timp;

Pentru a fi siguri ca la controlul de securitate lucrurile merg mai rapid ati putea:
- calatori cu pasaportul chiar si catre tarile UE unde puteti prezenta buletinul;
- avea un singur bagaj de mana
- laptopul si incarcatorul acestuia aflate cat mai la indemana pentru a putea fi scoase rapid
- electronice cat mai putine; noile reguli spun ca toate electronicele (includem aici si cabluri si incarcatoare) sa fie scoase din bagaj si asezate in tavitele oferite la controlul de securitate si asat v-ar lua mai mult timp;
- toate lichidele si cremele din bagajul de mana sa aiba pana in 100ml/recipient si sa fie puse deja (de acasa) intr-o punga transparenta; toate recipientele cu lichide sau creme nu trebuie sa aiba impreuna mai mult de un litru;

2. Introducerea scanerelor corporale
Scanerele corporale (Body Scanners) nu sunt unul si acelasi lucru cu echipamentele X-RAY pe care le gasiti acum in aeroporturi. Acesta scanere sunt niste masinarii asemanatoare cu “portile” X-RAY, doar ca ele “dezbraca de haine” pasagerul. Astfel cei din spatele monitorului vor vedea o imagine in tente de gri a corpului pasagerului (da, se includ organele genitale!).

Problema nu este neaparat ca pasagerul este “dezbracat”, dar sistemul poate face si o serie de fotografii, fotografii care pot fi pastrate intr-o baza de date. Unii experti isi pun problema ca aceste imagini digitale pot ajunge oricand pe internet, iar in acest caz nu mai este vorba de securitate si de incalcarea clara a dreptului la intimitate.

Este adevarat ca aceste scannere sunt mult mai eficiente, insa ele atenteaza la dreptul pentru intimitate si asta o sa-i supere pe multi. Daca in Statele Unite ele vor putea fi impuse mult mai usor, in Europa lucrurile vor merge mult mai greu din cauza modului de functionare a sistemului legislativ al UE.

How do these scanners work?

There are two types of device which offer full-body scans. Millimeter wave scanners use extremely high frequency radio waves which are processed by a computer to produce a detailed 3D image of air passengers. Backscatter scanners use high energy rays that — unlike X-rays which penetrate objects — scatter when they hit materials, allowing computers to render a detailed image and detect substances such as explosives and plastic weapons. Both scanners, unlike conventional X-rays, can strip away layers of clothing, accurately mapping the contours of the body, any prosthetics beneath the skin, as well as clothing and metallic and non-metallic objects.

How long does it take?

The scanning process takes between 15 and 30 seconds. Passengers enter a small booth or archway and raise their hands while radio waves target them from all directions. It may take slightly longer for airport staff to review the images produced and — given the level of detail, more passengers may find themselves subjected to follow-up security checks as a result.

Why are they controversial?

Privacy campaigners say the scanners produce “naked” images of passengers which represent an unnecessary violation. They say the process is humiliating, and despite pledges that the images will not be stored or used elsewhere, it could be open to abuse — particularly with scans of celebrities. Although the U.S. Transportation Security Agency, which is installing the scanners in many airports, insist the equipment does not capture details of face or produce images of a quality that can be deemed compromising, opponents say the technology is still capable of this and may be utilized in the future.

How do these scanners work?

There are two types of device which offer full-body scans. Millimeter wave scanners use extremely high frequency radio waves which are processed by a computer to produce a detailed 3D image of air passengers. Backscatter scanners use high energy rays that — unlike X-rays which penetrate objects — scatter when they hit materials, allowing computers to render a detailed image and detect substances such as explosives and plastic weapons. Both scanners, unlike conventional X-rays, can strip away layers of clothing, accurately mapping the contours of the body, any prosthetics beneath the skin, as well as clothing and metallic and non-metallic objects.

How long does it take?

The scanning process takes between 15 and 30 seconds. Passengers enter a small booth or archway and raise their hands while radio waves target them from all directions. It may take slightly longer for airport staff to review the images produced and — given the level of detail, more passengers may find themselves subjected to follow-up security checks as a result.

Why are they controversial?

Privacy campaigners say the scanners produce “naked” images of passengers which represent an unnecessary violation. They say the process is humiliating, and despite pledges that the images will not be stored or used elsewhere, it could be open to abuse — particularly with scans of celebrities. Although the U.S. Transportation Security Agency, which is installing the scanners in many airports, insist the equipment does not capture details of face or produce images of a quality that can be deemed compromising, opponents say the technology is still capable of this and may be utilized in the future.

Cititi intreg materialul pe site-ul CNN

Oricum, fara ca Bruxelles-ul sa isi fi spus cuvantul asupra introducerii acestor scanere in aeroporturile din Uniunea Europeana, autoritatile aeroportului din Schiphol au anuntat ca vor folosi aceste noi masinarii pentru zborurile catre Statele Unite ale Americii.

Si pe alte aeroporturi se iau masuri suplimentare de securitate.

Folosirea la scara larga a cestor scanere in SUA depinde pentru moment de presedintele Obama. Oricum, in Statele Unite unii experti spun ca nici noile masuri nu sunt 100% inpenetrabile – un reportaj video aici.

Voi sunteti de acord cu introducerea acestor scanere corporale in aeroporturi? De ce?

3. Diverse reguli noi la bordul aeronavelor
Unele state si/sau companii aeriene se gandesc deja la a impune noi reguli la bordul aeronavelor. De exemplu:
- pasagerii trebuie sa-si puna bagajul de mana si hainele in compartimentul de deasupra scaunelor imediat ce s-au urcat in avion;
- nu au voie sa intre in contact cu bagajele decat dupa 30 de minute de la decolare;
- se interzice accesul pasagerilor la propriile bagaje cu 30 de minute inainte de aterizarea la destinatie;
- unele companii se gandesc ca pasagerii nu ar trebui sa-si paraseasca locul din avion cand este mai putin de o ora pana la aterizare (aceasta regula a fost deja aplicata, timp de cateva zile, de companii din SUA si Canada incepand cu data de 24 decembrie deoarece existau anumite suspiciuni cu privire la existenta unui atac terorist in preajma Craciunului);

Considerati aceste reguli ca fiind utile? Considerati ca ele ajuta in lupa impotriva terorismului?

Bonus
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – organizatia care se ocupa de securitatea in domeniul transportului pe teritoriul SUA a emis imediat dupa esuarea atentatului de la Detroit cateva noi reguli. Aceste reguli trebuiau sa ajunga numai la membrii din conducerea aeroporturilor americane, al personalului care are legatura cu securitatea in aeroport si al celor care se ocupa de formalitatile de imbarcare. Insa, printr-o scurgere, documentele au ajuns si la doi bloggeri care scriu despre aviatie si turism. Ambii au publicat documentele si ambii s-au trezit cu FBI-ul la usa. Amandoi au fost intr-un fel sau altul amenintati ca daca nu declara de la cine au primit informatiile ar putea sfarsi in inchisoare.

Christopher Elliott este jurnalist pentru The Washington Post si autorul blogului de turism elliot.org. Celalalt este Steven Frischlin, jurnalist si fotograf freelancer care scrie blogul de aviatie Flying with Fish (printre activitatile sale se numara si redactarea blogului companiei aeriene KLM).
Povestile lor cu TSA si FBI le gasiti pe blogurilor lor: Steve – The Feds at my door si Elliot – Full text of my subpoena from the Department of Homeland Security.

O poveste care cuprinde mai multe detalii gasiti si pe blogul Today in The Sky: TSA targets travel bloggers over leaked security memo.

Bonus 2
Daca va intrebati cumva cum arata un ghid TSA pentru pasageri, iata Q&A-ul facut public de autoritatile americane:

TSA Guidance for Passengers on Heightened Security Measures in Place Following Dec. 25 Incident

On Dec. 25, 2009, an individual on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 set off a device and was subdued by passengers and crew. TSA wishes to acknowledge the heroic efforts of those individuals.

As a result of this incident, TSA has worked with airline and law enforcement authorities, as well as federal, state, local, and international partners to put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong. Passengers traveling domestically and internationally to U.S. destinations may notice additional screening measures.

The American people should continue their planned holiday travel. TSA encourages passengers to remain observant and aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior or activity to law enforcement officials.

Q: What additional security measures is TSA taking domestically?

A: TSA has a layered approach to security that allows us to surge resources as needed on a daily basis. We have the ability to quickly implement additional screening measures including explosive detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures both seen and unseen. Passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport.

Q: What additional security measures are being taken for international flights to U.S. destinations?

A: TSA issued a directive for additional security measures to be implemented for last point of departure international flights to the United States. Passengers flying into the United States from abroad can expect to see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During flight, passengers may be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight.

Q: Do passengers need to do anything differently to prepare for checkpoint security procedures? Has anything changed in terms of what passengers can bring in their carry-on or checked bags?

A: At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they may notice additional security measures at the airport.

Q: Should passengers plan to arrive at airports earlier than normal?

A: Passengers traveling within the United States should give themselves extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight, especially during the busy holiday travel season. TSA advises that passengers traveling on international flights to U.S. destinations allow extra time for security and arrive an additional hour earlier.

Q. How long will these measures remain in place?

A: TSA will continuously review these measures to ensure the highest levels of security.

Oricum… sper sa nu fiu nevoit sa ajung cu 4 ore inainte de decolare la aeroport in 2010! Asta va doresc si voua… si La Multi Ani si multe zboruri si calatorii placute!

Foto by AFP / via news.com.au