Latest news with #airportsecurity
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
TSA confiscates turtle pair from Florida woman's bra: See photos
Transportation Security Administration officials in Florida were "shell-shocked" to discover a pair of turtles in a passenger's undergarments. The woman, who was traveling out of Miami International Airport in April, was caught trying to sneak two turtles past the security checkpoint by stuffing them in her bra, the TSA said in a July 24 LinkedIn post. TSA's advanced imaging technology alerted officers to a possible item hidden in the passenger's chest area, according to a statement from the agency. The woman was taken aside for a private screening, during which two live turtles from an "alarming area" were discovered. Multiple agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, were called in to assist. "OK friends, please - and we cannot emphasize this enough - stop hiding animals in weird places on your body and then trying to sneak them through airport security," the post says. "No, really." One of the turtles that was stuffed in the woman's bra did not survive the ordeal, and the other was confiscated and turned over to the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife. As a result of this incident, the second one in the last few months, TSA reminded travelers that they "want you to be able to travel with your pets, and you turtle-ly can, but please travel with them safely." "You can start by reaching out to your airline for their rules concerning pets on board flights," the agency said. "As far as TSA screening goes, small pets are allowed through our checkpoint but must be removed from any carriers and carried through the checkpoint (notice we said 'carried' and not 'hidden underneath your clothing ')." TSA discovers, confiscates another contraband turtle Earlier this year, TSA agents dealt with another case of turtle smuggling under clothes - this time in New Jersey. The Pennsylvania man, who was not identified by name, attempted to sneak a live red-ear slider turtle in the crotch area of his pants at Newark Liberty International Airport on March 7. The man was given a "pat-down" after tripping an alarm, where officers discovered he was hiding something in his groin area. When asked if he had anything hidden in his pants, the man retrieved a turtle wrapped in a blue towel from his trousers. Port Authority Police questioned the man and later confiscated the turtle. The man missed his flight and was escorted out of the security checkpoint by law enforcement. Contributing: Julia Gomez and Max Augugliaro, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TSA busts passenger with turtles in her bra: See pics Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US airlines oppose new limits on facial recognition at airport checkpoints
By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Groups representing major U.S. airlines, travel companies and airports on Monday urged the Senate to reject a bill that would limit the ability of the Transportation Security Administration to use facial recognition software at security checkpoints. The Senate Commerce Committee is set on Wednesday to consider bipartisan legislation to protect Americans' ability to opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings at airports and prevent abuse of passenger data. Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and others, along with U.S. Travel and two airport groups, opposed the bill in a letter seen by Reuters saying it could "increase wait times considerably by slowing down identity verification at every airport security checkpoint." Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican John Kennedy, two of the bill's sponsors, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading passengers' privacy without even making it clear that they can opt out of the screening," Kennedy said in May. Merkley said in May "folks don't want a national surveillance state, but that's exactly what the TSA's unchecked expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to." The bill would restrict TSA's current authority to use biometrics and facial recognition technology. TSA would be required to provide passengers with the option to have their identity verified without use of facial recognition and prohibit TSA from subjecting travelers choosing not having their faces scanned to discriminatory treatment or less favorable screening conditions. "Restricting TSA's use of biometrics is a step backward for our national security," the airlines and others said, adding it would "prevent TSA from achieving staffing efficiencies through technology automation by requiring officer-based interactions – forcing 75% of TSA's budget to remain tied to staffing rather than technology investment." The airlines also said it could obstruct innovation in the aviation system like automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and "create an overwhelming and chaotic environment at every airport security check." Solve the daily Crossword
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
US airlines oppose new limits on facial recognition at airport checkpoints
WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Groups representing major U.S. airlines, travel companies and airports on Monday urged the Senate to reject a bill that would limit the ability of the Transportation Security Administration to use facial recognition software at security checkpoints. The Senate Commerce Committee is set on Wednesday to consider bipartisan legislation to protect Americans' ability to opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings at airports and prevent abuse of passenger data. Airlines for America, which represents American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab, United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab, Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), opens new tab, Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), opens new tab and others, along with U.S. Travel and two airport groups, opposed the bill in a letter seen by Reuters saying it could "increase wait times considerably by slowing down identity verification at every airport security checkpoint." Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican John Kennedy, two of the bill's sponsors, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading passengers' privacy without even making it clear that they can opt out of the screening," Kennedy said in May. Merkley said in May "folks don't want a national surveillance state, but that's exactly what the TSA's unchecked expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to." The bill would restrict TSA's current authority to use biometrics and facial recognition technology. TSA would be required to provide passengers with the option to have their identity verified without use of facial recognition and prohibit TSA from subjecting travelers choosing not having their faces scanned to discriminatory treatment or less favorable screening conditions. "Restricting TSA's use of biometrics is a step backward for our national security," the airlines and others said, adding it would "prevent TSA from achieving staffing efficiencies through technology automation by requiring officer-based interactions – forcing 75% of TSA's budget to remain tied to staffing rather than technology investment." The airlines also said it could obstruct innovation in the aviation system like automated e-gates and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID and "create an overwhelming and chaotic environment at every airport security check."
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
Airlines oppose limiting US ability to use facial recognition software at airport checkpoints
WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Groups representing major U.S. airlines, travel companies and airports on Monday urged the Senate to reject a bill that would limit the ability of the Transportation Security Administration to use facial recognition software at security checkpoints. The Senate Commerce Committee is set on Wednesday to consider bipartisan legislation to protect Americans' ability to opt out of TSA facial recognition screenings at airports and prevent abuse of passenger data. Airlines for America, U.S. Travel and two airport groups opposed the bill in a letter seen by Reuters saying it could "increase wait times considerably by slowing down identity verification at every airport security checkpoint."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
100ml liquid restriction set to be scrapped across European airports – but there's a catch
Airports across the European Union (EU) are finally set to scrap the 100ml liquid restrictions for passengers – but there's a catch. The constraint was due to be scrapped last summer, but a European Commission (EC) ruling kept it in place temporarily. Now, aviation hubs with advanced scanners will allow passengers to carry wine, olive oil, perfume and other liquids in containers of up to two litres. Participating airports include travel hotspots such as Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam and Milan, with more expected to follow. While many major airports already have the advanced scanners, not all do, including London's Heathrow. It would cost the airport £1.04bn to install the equipment. There will be no mandatory requirement for airports to implement the new technology and it will be the decision of individual facilities to purchase the scanners. Consequently, the new ruling could cause confusion for passengers departing from an airport with the scanners, but returning home via an airport without them. In this instance, only 100ml would be allowed in the hand luggage on the return flight. The scanners use computed tomography (CT) to scan luggage with increased accuracy. Their introduction also means passengers will no longer have to remove other items from cabin baggage, such as laptops and tablets, further streamlining the security process. The major change was first reported by Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera and confirmed by the European Commission, with the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) set to green light the move imminently. European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told The Independent that they were expecting the ruling to be confirmed 'in the next [few] days.' 'Once individual manufacturer's airport equipment passes tests and gets ECAC approval, it can receive the EU Stamp, permitting the screening of liquids of larger than 100ml. 'After receiving this approval, the equipment may be deployed for use at airports.' The Independent has approached the ECAC for comment. The news mirrors the recent decision by Birmingham and Edinburgh airports to remove the 100ml liquid restriction, while other UK airports still enforce the limit. Under existing rules, hand luggage liquids must be packed in containers carrying no more than 100ml, with some exceptions for baby products and medicines. Travellers are being advised to check the current rules from both their departing and return airports before travelling.
