A Look Back at Airline Security (and Forward)   Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Last Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of one of the worst air disasters  in history, the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 en route from London to JFK. This terrorist bombing has a legacy we carry with us to this day; tighter controls on bag transfers, baggage matching to passengers on board and if there's no match, the bag comes off.  video via CBSNews Even though there were several major terrorism attacks and acts against USA airliners before Pan Am 103 (especially to TWA), it got the attention of America to get vigilant on terrorism against airliners. FlyersRights' president, Paul Hudson, was interviewed by CBS News on the tragedy. There were several memorial services held last weekend, in New York City, in Westminster Abbey, London, Arlington National Cemetery near Washington DC, at Syracuse University (where a number of those killed were attending school exchange programs), Detroit and at Lockerbie itself. To this day we keep this flight in mind and hope that nothing like this ever happens again. Rest in peace to all the passengers, crew and innocent civilians who lost their lives and all others affected by this cruel loss.

PAT-DOWNS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Big Brother tells kids: TSA 'isn't scary' The Transportation Security Agency has released a ridiculous cartoon that has been roundly panned in the blogosphere.  Its sole purpose appears to be a means of indoctrinating young children to comply with heavy-handed government edicts and instructions. TSA Kids is the latest misguided effort from the Dept. of Homeland Security. It pretends to be an educational tool but it borders on self-parody.     Yes, the US government has made a cartoon with dogs to teach children about the post-9/11 security regime. It's unknown how many tax-dollars were spent on this latest venture to improve TSA's image. The video casts the travelers and TSA agents as cute characters and show how fun it is to go through a checkpoint.  (Source: TSA Blog) The children are taught the phrase, "Stop, Screen and Go!" as their persons,papers, and effects are searched. One might wonder why the video avoids mentioning the manual pat-downs which travelers frequently endure.     Anyone who is even vaguely familiar with the multitude of horror stories involving the TSA will come to the conclusion that the cartoon scenario is not just sugar coated but a complete fairytale. Unsurprisingly, comments for this YouTube video have been disabled.  Stop.  Scream.  Cavity search.  Go.  Your government at work.  Is this progress?

An Israeli Security Expert   On Why TSA is All Wrong   A security expert's advice has gone viral on why US airport security is so ineffectual. You won't know whether to laugh or cry.  Here's Rafi Sela, former chief of security at Tel Aviv - Ben Gurion Airport with seven reasons why the TSA is so awful.   It's a fascinating study about a system that is entirely bogged down by corruption, incompetence, petty political squabbling and blatant graft. Hey, when the Israelis give you advice about airport security, you listen.

The virtues of upselling US Airlines Raked in $4.7 Billion in Baggage and Change Fees During the First 9 Months of 2013  Delta passengers wait to check bags at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. James Emery / Flickr US airlines made $4.7 billion from checked baggage and reservation change fees in the first three quarters of 2013, according to the DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. For the fourth year, Delta Air Lines is on track to beat out all other US airlines in checked baggage and change fees, taking home $1.3 billion in revenues.     Read More: The Skift

Make a Year-End Gift to FlyersRights   FlyersRights depends on tax-deductible contributions from those who share our commitment to airline passenger rights.  You can give appreciated stock for an extra tax deduction benefit.  You will be sent the latest FlyersRightspublications and newsletters.  You aren't merely supporting our mission, you become a part of FlyersRights. While DC is shut down, Congress is gone on vacation (after doubling security fees) and the President is in Hawaii til early next year, FlyersRights is on duty! Last week we presented the Bill of Rights in final form to the DOT and FAA, and handled Hotline calls from passengers without missing a beat!     More volunteers are desperately needed for the Passenger Bill of Rightsadvocacy - to make Congress sit up and listen.        Kate Hanni, founder ofFlyersRights Paul Hudson, president ofFlyersRights

We welcome your thoughts and opinions. Email your letters to: Kendallc@FlyersRights.org

Pan Am Flight 103 25th Anniversary

Pan Am Flight 103 25th Anniversary    FlyersRights Demands "Passenger Bill of Rights" at 2 Events All I Want For Christmas is a Ban On In-Flight Phone Calls Tuesday, December 17, 2013

One of the deadliest terrorist strikes on American civilians, the Lockerbie bombing, is being marked at home and abroad by politicians and officials 25 years after the atrocity that killed 270 people.   This widely regarded assault on a symbol of the United States, with 189 of the victims being Americans, stood as the most significant attack against America until September 11, 2001.  Memorial services will be held this week at Arlington National Cemetary and in Lockerbie, Scotland. CBS news is doing a special with Peter Greenberg and will interview Paul Hudson, FlyersRights president. Points to keep in mind for all airline passengers is that aviation terrorism is the most deadly form yet carried out. Over 4,000 have died, including nearly 300 in 1989 and nearly 3,000 in 2001. This is more than all airliner accident deaths in history. In Lockerbie alone, more Americans died than in the 1990 Gulf War.  Weak aviation security allowed 19 al Qaeda terrorists to hijack 4 US airliners on 9/11/01 killing all on board and thousands in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Terrorists often attempt attacks on anniversaries and Certain holidays. The shoe bomber attempted to blow up a U.S. bound airliner on 12/21. Developing threats include shoulder fired missiles now in the hands of  some factions in Syria, Libya and perhaps other locations.  These devastating weapons can easily bring down airliners and pose a significant threat to aviation security.    Passengers' rights to avoid unreasonable or invasive security at airports must be balanced against rights to safe and secure travel. Otherwise the tragic history of aviation terrorism that started with Pan Am 103 and culminated with 9/11 is likely to be repeated.   To mark the 25th anniversary of those lost on Pan Am 103, there are five services planned in the US and the UK on Saturday, December 21, 2013. (please note that all times listed are local times). Syracuse University - 2:03 PM in Hendricks ChapelArlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA - 1:30 PM at the Pan Am Cairn Westminster Abbey, London, England - 6:45 PM Lockerbie, Scotland - 2 PM at the Dryfesdale Cemetery/6:30 PM at the Dryfesdale Church SU's Lubin House, 11 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065 - 1:30-3:30 PM (please note, due to space limitations, you must RSVP to attend this event; contact Scott Austin at scott.austin.sca@gmail.com)

FOR RELEASE December 16, 2013    AIRLINE PASSENGERS GROUP TO FEDS:  "WE HAVE RIGHTS !!!"   FlyersRights.org Will Demand  A "Passengers' Bill Of Rights" At Two Events   WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation's largest consumer organization representing airline passengers, FlyersRights.org, will demand that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognize an "Airline Passengers Bill of Rights" at two events this week: A hearing of the DOT'S Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection on MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 at approximately 2:00 PM EDT in the Oklahoma City Room of the DOT West Building Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington (Seating Requests must be made TODAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13). A meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Rulemaking Advisory Committee on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 at 1:00 PM EDT at Room 1010, FAA Headquarters Building, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington. Supported with a specific, 33-point plan, FlyersRights.org President Paul Hudson will unveil an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights that will include: 1. THE RIGHT to a ticket we can understand and rely on, with no hidden fees, at a fair price. 2. THE RIGHT to be treated well when our flight is canceled or delayed, with reasonable access to available flights on other airlines and advance notice, a refund and compensation when it's the airline's fault. 3. THE RIGHT to airline honesty when it comes to the status of our flights and the reasons for delays and cancellations. 4. THE RIGHT to a safe aircraft and a well-trained, well-rested crew. 5. THE RIGHT to get off the tarmac within three hours at the most. 6. THE RIGHT to have our luggage arrive when we do - or to compensation if it doesn't. 7. THE RIGHT to be treated like human beings onboard aircraft, with food and drink and seats and legroom that are safe and comfortable. 8. THE RIGHT to retain basic constitutional rights of privacy, free speech, travel, due process of law, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure when we enter an airport or board an aircraft. Mr. Hudson noted, "It has been 35 years since airlines were deregulated as to fares, routes, schedules and services. We are calling on Congress, President Obama and DOT Secretary Foxx to review the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 to correct the consumer abuses, unfair or deceptive practices and inefficiencies that have infested and degraded the nation's air transportation system."

All I want for Christmas is a ban on in-flight phone calls Outrage and pushback is the reaction over the proposal by the F.C.C. to loosen the rules against cellphone conversations in-flight.    In a surprise announcement last week, the Transportation Department (DOT) said that passengers and the airline industry are overwhelmingly against such cellphone use, and will consider banning in-flight voice calls.  Airlines fear cellphone use in planes would anger flyers, disrupt flights and burden airline staff who might have to settle disagreements that erupt over passenger phone calls. Southwest Airlines, Virgin America and Delta Air Lines all have said they almost certainly won't allow flyers to make in-flight calls, regardless of the rules. United and JetBlue have said they would study their policies if the rules change. JetBlue even said it would consider a special section of the cabin for fliers who want to make calls.    Still, consumers are likely to soon be able to text, check email and connect to the Internet on their cellphones while their flight is above 10,000 feet. The FCC and DOT will gather public comments in a separate rule-making before acting on a final proposal that isn't expected for several months.   Special to FlyersRights Founder of FlyersRights Kate Hanni's husband, Tim, is a prominent wine expert in Napa Valley and North America's First Master of Wine.   He has a new book out that's making a splash in the wine industry and beyond, "Why You Like The Wines You Like."  Order signed copies before December 18th and you will get them in plenty of time for Christmas! Tim will sign copies and donate 10% of the proceeds from all of his sales for the month of December to FlyersRights!   A great holiday gift for the wine lover and for anyone interested in a fascinating look at sensory perception and human behaviors.  This makes a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys wine at any level - especially interesting for sweet wine lovers and also a way to give a gift to the "overzealous" wine aficionado (dare we say wine snob?) in your life! · Single signed copies are $28.00 and this includes priority shipping. shop.napaseasoning.com · 5 signed copies are $115.00, including priority mail shipping. shop.napaseasoning.com · Single, unsigned copies can be purchased directly from Amazon.com for $22.50 with whatever shipping Amazon charges. amazon.com    Also, why not pick up some fine wines from our Napa Valley wine shop for your holiday table! Recent book reviews: Chicago Tribune The Napa Valley Register The Mercury News The Amazing Race   Kate Hanni, who gave six years of her life to airline passengers rights and her husband Tim Hanni, Master of Wine have been asked to present an audition tape and application to "The Amazing Race".   If they win the $1,000,000 prize they will give a handsome donation to FlyersRights which would help secure us into the future.  Kate and Tim are recent empty-nesters and they really want to get chosen to compete in the Amazing Race. Please watch the video and have your friends watch it and "like" it with a thumbs up to show the producers that they have the public's support to be on the show!

Kate Hanni, founder of FlyersRights Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights Don't Miss Out on a Tax Deduction Deadline: December 31   Please consider an "end of the year" tax write-off donation to our 501(c)3!  Founded by Kate Hanni in 2007, FlyersRights  is funded completely through donations and our Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity, to which contributions are tax deductible.   Thank you.

FOR RELEASE December 16, 2013                                       CONTACT: PAUL HUDSON TEL.: (800) 662-1859 EMAIL: globetrotter1947@hotmail.com Web Site: www.FlyersRights.org AIRLINE PASSENGERS GROUP TO FEDS: "WE HAVE RIGHTS !!!" FlyersRights.org Will Demand  A "Passengers' Bill Of Rights" At Two Events WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation's largest consumer organization representing airline passengers, FlyersRights.org, will demand that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recognize an "Airline Passengers Bill of Rights" at two events this week: A hearing of the DOT'S Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection on MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 at approximately 2:00 PM EDT in the Oklahoma City Room of the DOT West Building Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington (Seating Requests must be made TODAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13). A meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Rulemaking Advisory Committee on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 at 1:00 PM EDT at Room 1010, FAA Headquarters Building, 800 Independence Ave., SW, Washington. Supported with a specific, 33-point plan, FlyersRights.org President Paul Hudson will unveil an Airline Passengers Bill of Rights that will include: 1. THE RIGHT to a ticket we can understand and rely on, with no hidden fees, at a fair price. 2. THE RIGHT to be treated well when our flight is canceled or delayed, with reasonable access to available flights on other airlines and advance notice, a refund and compensation when it's the airline's fault. 3. THE RIGHT to airline honesty when it comes to the status of our flights and the reasons for delays and cancellations. 4. THE RIGHT to a safe aircraft and a well-trained, well-rested crew. 5. THE RIGHT to get off the tarmac within three hours at the most. 6. THE RIGHT to have our luggage arrive when we do - or to compensation if it doesn't. 7. THE RIGHT to be treated like human beings onboard aircraft, with food and drink and seats and legroom that are safe and comfortable. 8. THE RIGHT to retain basic constitutional rights of privacy, free speech, travel, due process of law, freedom from unreasonable search and seizure when we enter an airport or board an aircraft. Mr. Hudson noted, "It has been 35 years since airlines were deregulated as to fares, routes, schedules and services. We are calling on Congress, President Obama and DOT Secretary Foxx to review the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 to correct the consumer abuses, unfair or deceptive practices and inefficiencies that have infested and degraded the nation's air transportation system."

TSA Mission Creep Tuesday, December 10, 2013

TSA expands searches of Parked cars at airports    They can strip you, pat you down, feel you up, take pictures, steal your luggage, read your emails, listen to phone calls and now search your car. A New York woman who valeted her car at Greater Rochester International Airport returned to find a notice on her car informing her that it had been searched without her consent.  She got in touch with a local TV station, and the story went viral. TSA quickly put out a statement saying that its agents don't search cars, but searches are included in TSA's security plan. Mother Jones has found that not only does TSA approve searches of the trunks and interior of unattended cars in an undefined perimeter that's considered close to the airport, but if a valet attendant finds illegal drugs instead of bombs they will call the police.  Privacy experts say these searches could be a violation of a person's Fourth Amendment rights.    The problem occurs when cars are searched without the driver's consent. "If you pop your trunk, you've consented to the government looking into your car, and you've waived your Fourth Amendment right," says Ben Wizner, the director of ACLU's speech, privacy & technology project. "But no court has ever indicated that TSA can conduct unwarranted searches, without suspicion, for anything other than explosives at the checkpoints where people are actually getting on the plane...this raises serious constitutional questions."   The policy, which first came to light earlier this summer after complaints from people who found notes inside their cars which read, "your vehicle has been inspected under TSA regulations," continues to cause confusion and stoke concern amongst privacy advocates. When the story first broke, the TSA was quick to deflect responsibility by explaining that although, "the plan is approved by the TSA, it is up to each airport authority and its state and local law enforcement partners to follow the plan that has been implemented." At some airports the searches are being conducted with no notification whatsoever. Also disturbing is that the details of the policies vary and are left up to each airport independently without any legal vetting. Critics have lambasted TSA and airports that participate in this policy for entrusting searches of vehicles to valet parking attendants, who wouldn't normally be considered to be highly trained in bomb detection skills. "Take note of that, America. Your safety is guaranteed by a crack security team composed of valets," wrote  TechDirt's Tim Cushing.  This is just more TSA mission creep. First it's keeping weapons off planes, then keeping a safe perimeter around airports, and then soon, you have justification for searching cars in front of any building, anywhere. As Benjamin Franklin said. ... if we give up liberty for security we will have neither.

Qantas steward to launch landmark pesticides lawsuit Flyers fume over planes treated with pesticides Long haul flight attendants who have been forced to spray insecticide throughout aircraft cabins every time they landed in Australia fear the chemicals may have given them Parkinson's disease. Former Qantas steward Brett Vollus has been diagnosed with the disease and is preparing a legal action against the Australian government, which enforces the need for spraying to prevent disease. Experts have warned that international frequent flyers exposed to repeated doses of insecticide within an enclosed aircraft cabin could also face the same risk. "We all blindly sprayed this insecticide as we landed in Australia after every long-haul flight. Why wasn't I warned that it could give me this disease?'' he said. Mr. Vollus, 52, worked as flight attendant with Qantas for 27 years until May this year and was referred to a neurosurgeon as the symptoms of Parkinson's began.    The spraying was mandated by the Australian government on World Health Organization guidelines to prevent the spread of insect-borne diseases such as malaria. Known as "aircraft disinsection", such spraying has been in practice since the 1920s. Australia's Transport Workers' Union said it would consider filing a class action on behalf of the nation's aircraft workers if a health link could be established with insecticides, urging anyone with such concerns to come forward. Airline Passengers Sprayed for Bugs A flight to the tropics may involve greater health risks than a dose of airline food. Pesticides are routinely sprayed in aircraft cabins by U.S. airlines sometimes over the heads of passengers during flight.  Disinsection continues despite evidence of risk to passengers and crew.  The United States ended the in-flight spraying of insecticides in passenger cabins of arriving airliners in 1979, after determining that the health danger it posed outweighed any benefits. But the United States cannot forbid other governments from requiring spraying aboard airliners. To counter disease-bearing pests, certain governments require flight attendants to spray d-phenothrin, an insecticide that has a low toxicity to humans, 30 minutes before landing at airports in the Caribbean, South America and South Pacific. The ventilation system must be turned off as flight attendants walk down the aisle spraying the insecticide into the air.   Six countries: Australia, Barbados, Fiji, Jamaica, New Zealand and Panama require the use of residual pesticides. In this case every surface in the cabin is sprayed with a solution that contains 2% permethrin.  This process takes place shortly before crew and passengers board, without their knowledge. Babies and children are said to be more sensitive to the effects of permethrin. Once an aircraft has been residually treated, foreign quarantine officials will allow it to land without additional pesticide treatment for the next 56 days. Alternatively, passengers on US domestic flights may find themselves on an airliner that has just been sprayed. United Airlines, for example, treats all of its 747-400 aircraft in Hong Kong. These aircraft are not restricted to the South Pacific routes; they are simply scheduled to fly to Australia or New Zealand during the next 56 days, but in the meantime, can be flown on both international and domestic routes. The International Civil Aviation Organization reports that most airlines use permethrin and pyrethroid, both are suspected endocrine disruptors, and permethrin may be a carcinogen. The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) points out that pesticides cause even greater harm on airplanes, where up to 50% of the air in the cabins is recycled. The airlines are not required to inform passengers at time of ticketing of flight sprays, and there is also no control over how much pesticide is applied.  The Association of Flight Attendants reported in 2001 that one airline used 50-60% more pesticide than the maximum recommended by the World Health Organization. Between 2000 and 2001, one cabin crew union received complaints of pesticide-related illness on more than 200 flights.  The Association of Flight Attendants suggests that passengers contact the airline to find out if pesticides will be sprayed on their flight, or if they will be boarding a "residually sprayed" craft. The U.S. Department of Transportation website also lists countries that require spray. More Skepticism on Airline Merger On Monday, USAirways and American completed their deal to create the world's biggest airline. The American Antitrust Institute (AAI) released a White Paper questioning the 'efficiencies' claimed by the airlines. The merger was consummated less than four weeks after the Justice Department negotiated an eleventh-hour settlement with the carriers. Previous airline mergers have been accompanied by fare increases and capacity cutbacks, with harsh effects on medium size and smaller cities. The AAI study looks at the track record on the benefits that were claimed by carriers in previous large airline mergers, including Delta-Northwest, United-Continental, and Southwest-AirTran. They doubt the carriers can actually deliver cost savings and benefits. AAI opposes the USAirways-American merger on the grounds that it would likely harm competition and consumers. Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights said, "American and USAirways merged yesterday with court approval before the legally required public comment period mandated before settlements of the Justice Department can be approved, under the Tunney Act." He added, "This makes a mockery of the intent of this law and shows once again the political power of airlines to persuade both the Obama Administration and the courts to ignore public and passenger views."  Last Call for Comments on FlyersRights' New Passenger Bill of Rights! A reminder that tomorrow is last day for member comments on the Passenger Bill of Rights before it is finalized and presented to DOT and Congress next week. Please email to Paul Hudson, [globetrotter1947 at hotmail.com]. Special for You! Just In Time For The Holidays Founder of FlyersRights Kate Hanni's husband, Tim, is a prominent wine expert in Napa Valley and North America's First Master of Wine.   He has a new book out that's making a splash in the wine industry and beyond, "Why You Like The Wines You Like."  Order signed copies before December 18th and you will get them in plenty of time for Christmas! Tim will sign copies and donate 10% of the proceeds from all of his sales for the month of December to FlyersRights!   A great holiday gift for the wine lover and for anyone interested in a fascinating look at sensory perception and human behaviors.  This makes a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys wine at any level - especially interesting for sweet wine lovers and also a way to give a gift to the "overzealous" wine aficionado (dare we say wine snob?) in your life! · Single signed copies are $28.00 and this includes priority shipping. shop.napaseasoning.com · 5 signed copies are $115.00, including priority mail shipping. shop.napaseasoning.com · Single, unsigned copies can be purchased directly from Amazon.com for $22.50 with whatever shipping Amazon charges. amazon.com    Also, why not pickup some fine wines from our Napa Valley wine shop for your holiday table! Recent book reviews: Chicago Tribune The Napa Valley Register The Mercury News The Amazing Race Kate Hanni, who gave six years of her life to airline passengers rights and her husband Tim Hanni, Master of Wine have been asked to present an audition tape and application to "The Amazing Race".   If they win the $1,000,000 prize they will give a handsome donation to FlyersRights which would help secure us into the future.  Kate and Tim are recent empty-nesters and they really want to get chosen to compete in the Amazing Race. Please watch the video and have your friends watch it and "like" it with a thumbs up to show the producers that they have the public's support to be on the show!

Kate Hanni, founder of FlyersRights Paul Hudson, president of FlyersRights Please consider an "end of the year" tax write-off donation to our 501(c)3!  Founded by Kate Hanni in 2007, FlyersRights  is funded completely through donations and our Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) charity, to which contributions are tax deductible. Thank you.  Or: FlyersRights  4411 Bee Ridge Road  Sarasota, FL 34233