Post Holiday Winter Storm Air Travel Advice from FlyersRights.org:
Call our hotline at 1-877-359-3776 and we’ll help you navigate!
Napa, CA Dec. 26th 2011: Air Travelers along the east coast awoke to a Post Holiday Winter Wonderland; or Winter Travel Nightmare depending on their plans. FlyersRights.org encourages travelers to “re-accommodate” their flights with the airlines and if they need any assistance or run in to “roadblocks” to call FlyersRights.org at 1-877-359-3776 for toll free, entirely free help.
“FlyersRights advice is if you can avoid travel today, please stay safely home and re-schedule your flights or ground travel” said Kate Hanni Executive Director “The airlines are cancelling flights because it’s unsafe to fly, but driving in winter storm conditions is even less safe…so stay put if you can.”
Following are updates from several major carriers as to their handling of air travel for the next few days:
• Delta Air Lines says it's canceled about 850 flights today, including regional fights, because of the winter storm moving up the East Coast. A spokesman says it represents about a sixth of the airline's daily total. He says the cancelations are "concentrated from the Carolinas through New York."
• American Airlines says flights through Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia will probably be canceled after 2 or 3 p.m. today, with late starts expected tomorrow morning.
• Continental Airlines has canceled 250 departures from Newark Liberty International Airport outside New York City. United Airlines canceled dozens of departures today from New York, Philadelphia, Boston and other cities.
• AirTran and Southwest Airlines also canceled flights, mostly in or out of Washington Dulles, Baltimore and Newark.
Most carriers are waiving the fees they normally charge for one-time changes in affected areas. They're urging passengers to make changes through their websites. See below for links to air carriers re-accomodation procedures.
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/flight_status_updates/index.jsp
href="http://www.southwest.com/html/travel_center/christmas_wintry_weather.html">http://www.southwest.com/html/travel_center/christmas_wintry_weather.html
http://www.continental.com/CMS/en-US/travel/news/Pages/travelnotices.aspx?v_ctrk=HHLN$0-772-1869-1-1074
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53675,00.html
href="http://www.aa.com/viewPromotionDetails.do?fN=001_travelNotices.xml&_locale=en_US#ne">
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
ZERO (0) Tarmac Delays of over 3 hours for October
FlyersRights.org declares tarmac rule a success with 6 months data!
Overall Tarmac Strandings Down Dramatically from a Year Ago, Threats of Mass Cancellations did NOT materialize!
Napa, CA (December 7, 2010)—Today newly released data from Department of Transportation clearly demonstrates significant success for the DOT’s 3 hour tarmac rule, enacted in April 29, 2010. The commercial airlines continue to claim that the 3 Hour Rule, which requires that commercial aircraft return to the gate after a period of 3 hours of delay on the tarmac, would cause mass cancellations and virtual Armageddon for airline passengers. While the new consumer protections have only been in place since April, it is clear that these rules are working as intended, to protect passengers.
The October data is extraordinary, there were zero tarmac delays of over 3 hours down from 11 in 2009, and flight cancellations were reduced from .99% in October of 2009 to .97% for October of 2010.
According to the latest data, for the same 6 month period in 2009 there were 546 tarmac delays of over 3 hours compared to the same 6 month period in 2010 where we’ve seen only 12. To see the latest DOT data: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/reports/index.htm.
“3 hour tarmac strandings are nearly eliminated because of the new rule, and the number of cancellations is actually down from the 15 year 6 month average of 1.78% (excluding September 2001) to 1.17% for the same 6 month period in 2010, that’s a huge decrease in overall cancellations” said Kate Hanni, Founder of FlyersRights.org. “The reality of the rule is that it has made the airlines do the right thing and made travel better and more humane for everyone—its proof that protecting passengers can be both efficient and good business.”
“The DOT has hit a home run with the 3 hour rule. We hope they move swiftly to announce their new rule further enhancing airline passengers rights.”
“The new Congress should move quickly to both include the airline passengers bill of rights in the FAA Modernization Bill and pass it quickly so that airline passengers have permanent, enforceable and sustainable rights.” said Kate Hanni
You do the math: Following link is a Ranking of Airline Performance since 1995: http://www.flyersrights.org/table.pdf
FlyersRights.org with a full time 24/7 FREE hotline; volunteers ready to help 24/7 1-877-359-3776.
Overall Tarmac Strandings Down Dramatically from a Year Ago, Threats of Mass Cancellations did NOT materialize!
Napa, CA (December 7, 2010)—Today newly released data from Department of Transportation clearly demonstrates significant success for the DOT’s 3 hour tarmac rule, enacted in April 29, 2010. The commercial airlines continue to claim that the 3 Hour Rule, which requires that commercial aircraft return to the gate after a period of 3 hours of delay on the tarmac, would cause mass cancellations and virtual Armageddon for airline passengers. While the new consumer protections have only been in place since April, it is clear that these rules are working as intended, to protect passengers.
The October data is extraordinary, there were zero tarmac delays of over 3 hours down from 11 in 2009, and flight cancellations were reduced from .99% in October of 2009 to .97% for October of 2010.
According to the latest data, for the same 6 month period in 2009 there were 546 tarmac delays of over 3 hours compared to the same 6 month period in 2010 where we’ve seen only 12. To see the latest DOT data: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/reports/index.htm.
“3 hour tarmac strandings are nearly eliminated because of the new rule, and the number of cancellations is actually down from the 15 year 6 month average of 1.78% (excluding September 2001) to 1.17% for the same 6 month period in 2010, that’s a huge decrease in overall cancellations” said Kate Hanni, Founder of FlyersRights.org. “The reality of the rule is that it has made the airlines do the right thing and made travel better and more humane for everyone—its proof that protecting passengers can be both efficient and good business.”
“The DOT has hit a home run with the 3 hour rule. We hope they move swiftly to announce their new rule further enhancing airline passengers rights.”
“The new Congress should move quickly to both include the airline passengers bill of rights in the FAA Modernization Bill and pass it quickly so that airline passengers have permanent, enforceable and sustainable rights.” said Kate Hanni
You do the math: Following link is a Ranking of Airline Performance since 1995: http://www.flyersrights.org/table.pdf
FlyersRights.org with a full time 24/7 FREE hotline; volunteers ready to help 24/7 1-877-359-3776.
Monday, November 29, 2010
THE BY PASSING OF SECURITY BY ALMOST ALL AIRPORT WORKERS: Letter to Kate Hanni from an Airline Captain (Name witheld to protect him)
Hi Kate,
I saw you on Fox news. I’m a Captain for a major Airline based in Seattle and you and the rest of the media are unfortunately completely missing the story here. I park in a remote employee lot and ride the bus in with all the other airport workers. We call it the Mogadishu Express because nearly all airport workers now are Muslim. We all get off the bus together in the basement and ride the elevators up to the Terminal and cross the walkway into the terminal......... and then all these Muslims and other airport workers go downstairs and bypass security while only the Pilots and Flight attendants go up and are paraded through security in full dress uniform.
We Crewmembers are TSA’s pawns so the public can see us and feel like TSA is doing a thorough job, i.e. “ If the pilots have to go through too, then we must be safe Grandma”. TSA is a complete fraud. An army of these Muslim woman that have just bypassed security then come on my plane in full Muslim garb to clean it between flights. ( Please, I’m not picking on Muslims but simply trying to make my point). Then, all the ramp workers( most from Somalia as of this week, hired by Menzies) who have also bypassed security load the bags and then push my aircraft back from the gate so we can taxi.
They have all had complete unrestricted access to every lavatory, overhead bin, seatback, cargo hold, galley, nose gear wheel well as they disconnect the tow bar (read sticky bomb) and every other access panel on my aircraft. I feel a much greater threat from all these unscreened aircraft workers than I do from the passengers boarding my aircraft! TSA is nothing more than a giant overfunded whitewash perpetrated on the flying public to make them feel safe.PERIOD.
The janitors cleaning the restrooms inside the secure area of the terminal have bypassed security, the Mechanics working on my aircraft have bypassed security, the Skycaps pushing the old folks down the jet way in the wheelchairs have bypassed security, all the gate agents boarding the flight have bypassed security. All the construction workers at our airports have bypassed security and on and on. Are you starting to get the picture?
Pistole will first deny this then will relent and tell you they have all had a thorough background check. (Read drivers license check). I have been fingerprinted and checked by the FBI and I still go through security every single day and yet these thousands and thousands of Muslim and other airport workers bypass our nations security....... each and every day! There is no security.......its all a scam. Either every single person in the “secure area” has been screened by TSA or there is no security. Don’t even get me started on the body cavity bomber which makes these obtrusive scans and Genital pat downs instantly obsolete. I wish just one person in the media would pick up what is so obvious to the rest of us. THE BY PASSING OF SECURITY BY ALMOST ALL AIRPORT WORKERS.
Sincerely,
Airline Captain Based in Seattle
(Since I don't want to be turned in to Joe the Plumber I prefer to remain anonymous)
I saw you on Fox news. I’m a Captain for a major Airline based in Seattle and you and the rest of the media are unfortunately completely missing the story here. I park in a remote employee lot and ride the bus in with all the other airport workers. We call it the Mogadishu Express because nearly all airport workers now are Muslim. We all get off the bus together in the basement and ride the elevators up to the Terminal and cross the walkway into the terminal......... and then all these Muslims and other airport workers go downstairs and bypass security while only the Pilots and Flight attendants go up and are paraded through security in full dress uniform.
We Crewmembers are TSA’s pawns so the public can see us and feel like TSA is doing a thorough job, i.e. “ If the pilots have to go through too, then we must be safe Grandma”. TSA is a complete fraud. An army of these Muslim woman that have just bypassed security then come on my plane in full Muslim garb to clean it between flights. ( Please, I’m not picking on Muslims but simply trying to make my point). Then, all the ramp workers( most from Somalia as of this week, hired by Menzies) who have also bypassed security load the bags and then push my aircraft back from the gate so we can taxi.
They have all had complete unrestricted access to every lavatory, overhead bin, seatback, cargo hold, galley, nose gear wheel well as they disconnect the tow bar (read sticky bomb) and every other access panel on my aircraft. I feel a much greater threat from all these unscreened aircraft workers than I do from the passengers boarding my aircraft! TSA is nothing more than a giant overfunded whitewash perpetrated on the flying public to make them feel safe.PERIOD.
The janitors cleaning the restrooms inside the secure area of the terminal have bypassed security, the Mechanics working on my aircraft have bypassed security, the Skycaps pushing the old folks down the jet way in the wheelchairs have bypassed security, all the gate agents boarding the flight have bypassed security. All the construction workers at our airports have bypassed security and on and on. Are you starting to get the picture?
Pistole will first deny this then will relent and tell you they have all had a thorough background check. (Read drivers license check). I have been fingerprinted and checked by the FBI and I still go through security every single day and yet these thousands and thousands of Muslim and other airport workers bypass our nations security....... each and every day! There is no security.......its all a scam. Either every single person in the “secure area” has been screened by TSA or there is no security. Don’t even get me started on the body cavity bomber which makes these obtrusive scans and Genital pat downs instantly obsolete. I wish just one person in the media would pick up what is so obvious to the rest of us. THE BY PASSING OF SECURITY BY ALMOST ALL AIRPORT WORKERS.
Sincerely,
Airline Captain Based in Seattle
(Since I don't want to be turned in to Joe the Plumber I prefer to remain anonymous)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Public Concern Over TSA Screening Grows
Public Concern Over TSA Screening Grows
A new poll by Zogby International demonstrates the increasing public concern about full-body scanners that use low-level X-rays and extremely invasive pat-downs. Members of Congress and the flying public are just starting to uncover the numerous problems with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's decision to deploy these scanners without adequate public input.
Ralph Nader
November 23, 2010
An excerpt from the Zogby International news release follows:
Zogby Interactive: 61% Oppose Full Body Scans and TSA Pat Downs; 48% Will Seek Alternative to Flying Frequent Fliers: 59% Oppose Enhancements and 43% Will Seek Alternative to Flying
The implementation of full body scans and pat downs by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as part of security enhancements at our nation's airports will cause 48% of Americans and 42% of more frequent fliers to choose a different mode of transportation when possible, a recent Zogby International Poll finds. Overall, 61% of the 2,032 likely voters polled from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22, oppose the use of full body scans and TSA pat downs. Republicans (69%) and Independents (65%) oppose in greater numbers than Democrats (50%). Of those polled, 52% believe the enhanced security measures will not prevent terrorist activity, almost half (48%) say it is a violation of privacy rights, 33% say they should not have to go through enhanced security methods to get on an airplane, and 32% believe the full body scans and TSA pat downs to be sexual harassment. This is in line with frequent fliers (fly more than once every 3 months), as 53% say the enhanced measures will not prevent terrorist activity, 48% believe it's a violation of their privacy rights, 41% say they should not have to go through it to get on an airplane, and 35% believe it is sexual harassment.
The full text of the Zogby International news release is available at:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1925
A new cartoon by Matthew Marran appears at: http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewm5/who-says-bureaucrats-are-out-of-touch-zgz
A new poll by Zogby International demonstrates the increasing public concern about full-body scanners that use low-level X-rays and extremely invasive pat-downs. Members of Congress and the flying public are just starting to uncover the numerous problems with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's decision to deploy these scanners without adequate public input.
Ralph Nader
November 23, 2010
An excerpt from the Zogby International news release follows:
Zogby Interactive: 61% Oppose Full Body Scans and TSA Pat Downs; 48% Will Seek Alternative to Flying Frequent Fliers: 59% Oppose Enhancements and 43% Will Seek Alternative to Flying
The implementation of full body scans and pat downs by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as part of security enhancements at our nation's airports will cause 48% of Americans and 42% of more frequent fliers to choose a different mode of transportation when possible, a recent Zogby International Poll finds. Overall, 61% of the 2,032 likely voters polled from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22, oppose the use of full body scans and TSA pat downs. Republicans (69%) and Independents (65%) oppose in greater numbers than Democrats (50%). Of those polled, 52% believe the enhanced security measures will not prevent terrorist activity, almost half (48%) say it is a violation of privacy rights, 33% say they should not have to go through enhanced security methods to get on an airplane, and 32% believe the full body scans and TSA pat downs to be sexual harassment. This is in line with frequent fliers (fly more than once every 3 months), as 53% say the enhanced measures will not prevent terrorist activity, 48% believe it's a violation of their privacy rights, 41% say they should not have to go through it to get on an airplane, and 35% believe it is sexual harassment.
The full text of the Zogby International news release is available at:
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.cfm?ID=1925
A new cartoon by Matthew Marran appears at: http://www.buzzfeed.com/matthewm5/who-says-bureaucrats-are-out-of-touch-zgz
FlyersRights.org Says "Opt-Out" of Scanners!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2010
Contact: Kate Hanni 707-337-0328
Flyers Rights Launches “ScannerGate” Petition to protest use of
Scanners and “Enhanced” Pat Down Mechanisms as Primary Screening Method
Flyers Rights (www.flyersrights.org) the largest Airline passenger rights group in the world, today announced the launch of a Petition to protest the implementation of Backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) Machines as well as the “Enhanced” Pat Down Mechanisms for those who “Opt Out” of the machines.
“The TSA has offered no credible specifications for Radiation emitted by these machines, and multiple constituencies, including the US Airline Pilots Association are declining to be screened. The TSA has also implemented an “Enhanced” Pat Down procedure that includes touching the genitals as well breasts and buttocks. It’s clear the intent behind this new Pat Down process is to discourage Flyers from opting out of the AIT Scanners,” Said Kate Hanni, Director of Flyers Rights.
“We are asking all Travelers to sign this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/StopScan/
The Petition is called “ScannerGate: Privacy is Paramount.”
“We believe that all the TSA is doing is adding layers of security- and in this case, more is not better- more is just more. We believe that both the AIT and Enhanced Pat Down Mechanisms are a violation of all Americans 4th Amendment rights against unreasonable search. It’s time for the TSA to adopt Risk Based, Intelligent Screening, and not simply add layers on the existing process.”
Legendary Consumer Rights Advocate Ralph Nader, Attorney Paul Hudson and Flyers Rights Director Kate Hanni had sent a request for a meeting to John Pistole and Janet Napolitano and thus far have not been contacted for that meeting. http://tinyurl.com/2cqomrs
“It’s unacceptable that the TSA and DHS would meet with Travel Groups, Pilots, Flight Attendants, Hotels etc. and NOT meet with the largest passengers rights group in the world,” said Kate.
Flyers Rights advice to their membership and all who are traveling through the holidays is as follows:
o Opt out of scanners
o Ask for a private room for your pat down WITH a witness,
o If you have a child under the age of 12 you can ask the ticket agent if your child was pre-selected for additional screening, if they were you can ask to have them de-selected.
o If during the screening process/pat down you feel you or your child was molested call the authorities.
o Don’t wear metal and if you aren’t pre-selected for additional screening you might avoid the dreaded pat down.
November 14, 2010
Contact: Kate Hanni 707-337-0328
Flyers Rights Launches “ScannerGate” Petition to protest use of
Scanners and “Enhanced” Pat Down Mechanisms as Primary Screening Method
Flyers Rights (www.flyersrights.org) the largest Airline passenger rights group in the world, today announced the launch of a Petition to protest the implementation of Backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) Machines as well as the “Enhanced” Pat Down Mechanisms for those who “Opt Out” of the machines.
“The TSA has offered no credible specifications for Radiation emitted by these machines, and multiple constituencies, including the US Airline Pilots Association are declining to be screened. The TSA has also implemented an “Enhanced” Pat Down procedure that includes touching the genitals as well breasts and buttocks. It’s clear the intent behind this new Pat Down process is to discourage Flyers from opting out of the AIT Scanners,” Said Kate Hanni, Director of Flyers Rights.
“We are asking all Travelers to sign this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/StopScan/
The Petition is called “ScannerGate: Privacy is Paramount.”
“We believe that all the TSA is doing is adding layers of security- and in this case, more is not better- more is just more. We believe that both the AIT and Enhanced Pat Down Mechanisms are a violation of all Americans 4th Amendment rights against unreasonable search. It’s time for the TSA to adopt Risk Based, Intelligent Screening, and not simply add layers on the existing process.”
Legendary Consumer Rights Advocate Ralph Nader, Attorney Paul Hudson and Flyers Rights Director Kate Hanni had sent a request for a meeting to John Pistole and Janet Napolitano and thus far have not been contacted for that meeting. http://tinyurl.com/2cqomrs
“It’s unacceptable that the TSA and DHS would meet with Travel Groups, Pilots, Flight Attendants, Hotels etc. and NOT meet with the largest passengers rights group in the world,” said Kate.
Flyers Rights advice to their membership and all who are traveling through the holidays is as follows:
o Opt out of scanners
o Ask for a private room for your pat down WITH a witness,
o If you have a child under the age of 12 you can ask the ticket agent if your child was pre-selected for additional screening, if they were you can ask to have them de-selected.
o If during the screening process/pat down you feel you or your child was molested call the authorities.
o Don’t wear metal and if you aren’t pre-selected for additional screening you might avoid the dreaded pat down.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Maker of Naked Body Scanners CEO accompanies President Obama to India...
OSI Systems Chief Executive Officer Joins US Presidential Visit to India
HAWTHORNE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OSI Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIS), a vertically-integrated provider of specialized electronic products for critical applications in the Security and Healthcare industries, today announced that Deepak Chopra, Chairman and CEO, was selected to accompany US President, Barack Obama, to Mumbai and attended the US India Business Entrepreneurship meeting, which was held by the US India Business Council (US IBC). The goal of the meeting was to promote further trade between US and India.
Deepak Chopra, OSI Systems President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "I am honored to be selected to play a role in this very important cause. Currently the trade between US and India is only one tenth of the amount of trade between US and China. There is substantial opportunity to improve the trade relations with India for mutual economic gain."
The US India Business Council is a business advocacy organization representing America's top companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, with an aim to deepen trade and strengthen commercial ties.
About OSI Systems, Inc.
OSI Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of specialized electronic systems and components for critical applications in the homeland security, healthcare, defense and aerospace industries. We combine more than 30 years of electronics engineering and manufacturing experience with offices and production facilities in more than a dozen countries to implement a strategy of expansion into selective end product markets. For more information on OSI Systems Inc. or any of its subsidiary companies, visit www.osi-systems.com. News Filter: OSIS-G
OSI Systems Inc
Ajay Vashishat
Vice President, Business Development
310-349-2237
avashishat@osi-systems.com
Source: OSI Systems, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
HAWTHORNE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OSI Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSIS), a vertically-integrated provider of specialized electronic products for critical applications in the Security and Healthcare industries, today announced that Deepak Chopra, Chairman and CEO, was selected to accompany US President, Barack Obama, to Mumbai and attended the US India Business Entrepreneurship meeting, which was held by the US India Business Council (US IBC). The goal of the meeting was to promote further trade between US and India.
Deepak Chopra, OSI Systems President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "I am honored to be selected to play a role in this very important cause. Currently the trade between US and India is only one tenth of the amount of trade between US and China. There is substantial opportunity to improve the trade relations with India for mutual economic gain."
The US India Business Council is a business advocacy organization representing America's top companies investing in India, joined by global Indian companies, with an aim to deepen trade and strengthen commercial ties.
About OSI Systems, Inc.
OSI Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated designer and manufacturer of specialized electronic systems and components for critical applications in the homeland security, healthcare, defense and aerospace industries. We combine more than 30 years of electronics engineering and manufacturing experience with offices and production facilities in more than a dozen countries to implement a strategy of expansion into selective end product markets. For more information on OSI Systems Inc. or any of its subsidiary companies, visit www.osi-systems.com. News Filter: OSIS-G
OSI Systems Inc
Ajay Vashishat
Vice President, Business Development
310-349-2237
avashishat@osi-systems.com
Source: OSI Systems, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Letter to DHS Secretary Napolitano/Adm.Pistole and Secretary LaHood regarding Body Scanners and Pat Downs
November 7, 2010
Hon. Janet Napolitano
Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Hon. Ray LaHood
Secretary, Department of Transportation
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Administrator John Pistole
US Transportation Security Administration
TSA-1 Administrator
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Dear Secretaries Napolitano, La Hood, and Administrator Pistole:
We are writing to urgently request a meeting (if possible on November 15th or 18th) with you on the use and roll out of whole body scanners and enhanced pat downs by the TSA. These new procedures are extreme. They involve invasions of the personal privacy with hands being placed on genital areas and private body parts and/or electronic strip searches of airline passengers. They should require an extreme justification.
This new procedure has been received with shock and horror by many airline passengers and will no doubt involve much litigation and national negative publicity as it becomes a standard procedure employed against millions of airline passengers. See attachments.
At the very least, there should be a robust debate by aviation security experts and a full presentation to an expanded Aviation Security Advisory Committee with opportunity for critics to be heard before these new procedures are implemented.
In virtually every case of attempted bombing or hijacking of airliners by a passenger since 9/11, it has been airline passengers with flight attendants who foiled the terrorists, not TSA. Without public support and understanding, terrorists can have a victory merely by generating fear and opposition by the public to TSA procedures, especially if --as some security experts maintain-- the current back scatter scanners are ineffective, unnecessary and their adoption owes more to the political connections of a former Secretary of Homeland Security with financial interests in this technology, than to actual need and merit.
Sincerely,
/s/ Kate Hanni
Executive Director
Flyersrights.org
/s/ Paul Hudson
Executive Director
Aviation Consumer Action Project
Former Member, Aviation Security Advisory Committee (1997-2007)
Member, FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, Executive Committee
/s/ Ralph Nader
Consumer Advocate
Cc TSA Chief Counsel
US Transportation Security Administration
TSA-2 Administrator
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Contact Information:
FlyersRights.org
1-877-359-3776 Hotline
1-707-337-0328 cellular
Aviation Consumer Action Project
1-410-940-8934
240-391-1923 fax
acapaviation@yahoo.com
Ralph Nader
Consumer Advocate,
P.O. Box 19312 ,
Washington DC 20036
202-387-8030
202-234-5176 fax
Hon. Janet Napolitano
Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Hon. Ray LaHood
Secretary, Department of Transportation
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Administrator John Pistole
US Transportation Security Administration
TSA-1 Administrator
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Dear Secretaries Napolitano, La Hood, and Administrator Pistole:
We are writing to urgently request a meeting (if possible on November 15th or 18th) with you on the use and roll out of whole body scanners and enhanced pat downs by the TSA. These new procedures are extreme. They involve invasions of the personal privacy with hands being placed on genital areas and private body parts and/or electronic strip searches of airline passengers. They should require an extreme justification.
This new procedure has been received with shock and horror by many airline passengers and will no doubt involve much litigation and national negative publicity as it becomes a standard procedure employed against millions of airline passengers. See attachments.
At the very least, there should be a robust debate by aviation security experts and a full presentation to an expanded Aviation Security Advisory Committee with opportunity for critics to be heard before these new procedures are implemented.
In virtually every case of attempted bombing or hijacking of airliners by a passenger since 9/11, it has been airline passengers with flight attendants who foiled the terrorists, not TSA. Without public support and understanding, terrorists can have a victory merely by generating fear and opposition by the public to TSA procedures, especially if --as some security experts maintain-- the current back scatter scanners are ineffective, unnecessary and their adoption owes more to the political connections of a former Secretary of Homeland Security with financial interests in this technology, than to actual need and merit.
Sincerely,
/s/ Kate Hanni
Executive Director
Flyersrights.org
/s/ Paul Hudson
Executive Director
Aviation Consumer Action Project
Former Member, Aviation Security Advisory Committee (1997-2007)
Member, FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee, Executive Committee
/s/ Ralph Nader
Consumer Advocate
Cc TSA Chief Counsel
US Transportation Security Administration
TSA-2 Administrator
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Contact Information:
FlyersRights.org
1-877-359-3776 Hotline
1-707-337-0328 cellular
Aviation Consumer Action Project
1-410-940-8934
240-391-1923 fax
acapaviation@yahoo.com
Ralph Nader
Consumer Advocate,
P.O. Box 19312 ,
Washington DC 20036
202-387-8030
202-234-5176 fax
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Must Read Article by FRO Board Member Paul Hudson, esq.
http://library.constantcontact.com/doc200/1102516344999/doc/mXwhHBB0mPPIRtIS.pdf
Monday, October 4, 2010
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