|
Homeland Security Daily
By Staff
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that Eebbers, an 11-year-old explosive detection canine who works at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in St. Paul, Minnesota, was voted the winner of TSA’s 2022 Cutest Canine Contest.
Last week, TSA held a nationwide social media contest and encouraged members of the public to vote for the agency’s “cutest canine.” Once all the votes were tallied, Eebbers emerged the winner. The contest was held in recognition of International Dog Day to acknowledge the important role TSA’s hardworking canines play in protecting the nation’s transportation system. Preliminary voting among TSA employees narrowed the field of 92 contenders to the final four canines.
This year’s winner was one of four TSA canine candidates that also included Ava and Messi from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Tom-Magnum from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The canines were nominated by TSA handlers from airports around the country and voted on by dog lovers nationwide.
Eebbers, a Vizsla-Labrador mix, is a passenger screening canine (PSC) who works at MSP alongside his handler as they screen travelers and their belongings for explosives at the security checkpoint as an added layer of security. Eebbers has worked at MSP for almost 10 years. He was born into TSA’s Puppy Program at Lackland and was named in memory of 19 year old U.S. Army Pvt. James Ebbers who passed away October 14, 2002 in Dijbuoti, Africa while assigned to the 551st Military Police Company, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He is the last remaining canine from the Puppy Program still working daily for TSA.
Eebbers has assisted with security for two Super Bowls, the Special Olympics World Games, a NCAA National Championship Football game, the Indianapolis 500 and a NASCAR event. He stays very active every day, even during the cold Minnesota winters, and he loves swimming in any of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes in the summer.
TSA utilizes canines like Eebbers in its security operations nationwide. They are trained to detect the scent of explosives or explosive materials. These highly-skilled dogs are paired with handlers who utilize the working canine’s keen sense of smell when on duty throughout busy transportation environments.
Travelers departing, arriving and walking through the nation’s airports routinely see PSC teams working around passengers. These teams nimbly work through large groups of people to detect the source of a potential explosive. PSC handlers train frequently with their canines and learn how to interpret canine behaviors when the dog detects an explosive scent.
If a dog alerts its handler to the presence of an explosive odor, TSA follows an established procedure to resolve the alarm. The use of these highly-trained canines is an effective tool in deterring and detecting the introduction of explosive devices into the nation’s transportation systems.
Because explosives are known to be the greatest threat to the aviation system, TSA’s working canines are regularly tested to ensure they maintain a high standard of operational effectiveness. This continual training allows for all teams to be a reliable resource in detecting an explosive threat, maintaining proper acclimation within the airport, and mitigating against potential distractions in a busy transportation environment.
Currently, TSA has more than 1,000 canine teams that were trained at the TSA Canine Training Center in San Antonio. They are deployed nationally. While TSA’s canine partners are sociable, they are working dogs and should only be touched and fed by their handlers.
Later this year, TSA will announce the availability of its 2023 Canine Calendar, featuring the top 12 runners up in the 2022 Cutest Canine Contest. Eebers will be the canine featured on the cover of the 2023 calendar.
Similarly reported:
KERO
ABC
CBS
Return to Contents
Homeland Security Today
By Staff
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun testing state-of-the-art technology designed to detect, track and identify (DTI) drones entering restricted airspace around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Drones, also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), pose a security threat to transportation security when flown into certain restricted airspaces. LAX joins Miami International Airport in TSA’s UAS Test Bed Program as one of two locations nationwide currently testing this type of technology in an operational airport environment.
“As Chairwoman of the appropriations subcommittee that oversees the TSA budget, I was pleased by the selection of LAX as the second domestic airport to host the UAS detection technology test bed. Combined with the first test bed in Miami, this program will allow TSA to validate the effectiveness of UAS detection technology in real-world, aviation environments,” said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. “While there are many beneficial uses for drones in our society, it is becoming far too common that drones are sighted near airports, which presents significant security risks and unnecessary disruptions to the traveling public. I commend TSA, local law enforcement, and LAWA for their collaborative efforts that enabled the selection of LAX as the second site for this important initiative.”
“TSA’s effort to test technology that will detect, track, and identify drones will enhance air travel safety at LAX and airports throughout the United States,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters from California’s 43rd District, which includes LAX. “I am so proud that LAX was chosen to test this critical technology.”
“We, too, are pleased that TSA’s drone detection efforts have expanded to LAX. As one of the nation’s busiest airports, this is a prime location to test our existing capabilities that will be used to develop the next generation of DTI technology,” said TSA Federal Security Director Keith Jeffries. “Our strong partnership with Los Angeles World Airports made this day possible. We appreciate its willingness to join with TSA to address what has become a potential safety and security threat to the aviation industry.”
The TSA and LAX have a long-standing partnership working together to find innovative new solutions to passenger safety and security. LAX was selected as a testing site for the latest UAS detection technology test bed due to the airport’s diverse aviation operations, large number of enplanements, frequency of UAS activity, and high passenger volume.
Data collected at the LAX site will help TSA expand this capability to other airports in the future and raise awareness of the risks of encroaching on restricted airspace. The precise location of the DTI technology at LAX is not publicly disclosed.
“LAX has a long history of leading innovation through pilot programs and partnerships with the TSA and the Department of Homeland Security, and our latest collaboration to detect unauthorized drone activity near airports is another leap forward to further enhance the safety of airports across the nation,” said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports. “As a TSA innovation partner, LAX is proud to support emerging technology that is creating a safer, more secure and highly efficient airport for the traveling public.”
In recent years, UAS have grown in popularity and are used for a wide range of commercial and recreational purposes. DTI technology, which operates 24 hours a day, is capable of using radio frequency waves, electro-optical, radar, acoustic, and thermal imaging to identify the precise location of a UAS.
While many UAS are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) software that prevents their use in restricted locations, some operators do not follow rules and safety restrictions. Operators who violate restricted airspace are subject to drone confiscation, civil penalties and potential criminal prosecution, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Since 2021, there have been approximately 90 visual sightings and 5,200 technical detections within three miles of the LAX perimeter. So far this year, approximately 38 drones have been visually detected at LAX including a drone that was reported within 700 feet of an aircraft several days before Super Bowl LVI when SoFi Stadium and LAX were designated as no drone zones.
In June 2022, a drone was flown near a runway at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia. The FAA shut down air traffic for about 45 minutes following that close call in restricted airspace around DCA.
In support of the Department of Homeland Security’s role in UAS security, the LAX test bed is federally funded and part of TSA’s collaboration with airport, local law enforcement and interagency partners. This test bed will help to determine effective and suitable technologies that could be used in an operational airport environment. Information and data collected from the TSA UAS test beds will assist stakeholders in protecting against threats to aviation, surface, and related transportation domains.
“One of the main objectives of the TSA UAS Test Bed Program is to continuously assess relevant technologies and keep pace with the ever-evolving capabilities within the UAS community,” said TSA’s UAS Capability Manager Jim Bamberger. “Working together with our federal, state and local partners and the intelligence community, we are leveraging our collective technical capabilities to prevent disruptions within the transportation sector.”
A similar project has been underway at MIA since last summer. The systems under assessment have shown minimal downtime and detected thousands of UAS flights in the vicinity of the airport. TSA continues to collect data at that site with the ultimate goal of mitigating the risks unauthorized UAS operations pose to the nation’s transportation system.
Similarly Reported:
Travel Mole
Return to Contents
NPR
By Halisia Hubbard
On Monday, there was one traveler who got a true bird's-eye view of the Charlotte Douglas Airport.
Clark, a 19-year-old bald eagle, was recorded going through TSA with his handlers for his return flight home to Missouri. The footage and photos caught the attention of Twitter.
Clark is a flying ambassador of World Bird Sanctuary in south St. Louis. The scales on his talons never developed properly, and he would eventually get pneumonia and die if he were to hunt in the wild, the nonprofit's executive director, Dawn Griffard, told NPR over the phone.
Griffard said Clark's job is to spread a message about conservation and raise money to support the sanctuary. He does this by attending events to fly to songs like The Star Spangled Banner or You Raise Me Up.
TSA officers are used to seeing an eagle on their uniform as they look over their shoulder, but I’m sure the team at @CLTAirport Checkpoint A did a double take when they saw a real one earlier this week. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/cxfbqyVok1
Eagles may not have shoes or belts to remove, but they have their own version of being patted down. A TSA search of a bald eagle involves investigating its crate and under the carpet inside it.
People at airports often want to touch or see Clark, and his stewards have to deny their requests to stick their fingers through the window in his crate. But usually they're respectful, Griffard said.
Much to World Bird Sanctuary's appreciation, Southwest Airlines lets Clark travel in the main cabin. Other airlines don't allow this, and Griffard has had to put him in cargo in the past – once, she said, an airline misplaced him this way.
Despite standing 30 inches high and weighing 7.5 pounds, Clark gets two seats and three seat-belt extenders. That's because of his crate, which gets strapped in at the plane's bulkhead. A member of World Bird Sanctuary's eagle team sits beside the crate to keep an eye on him and give him snacks — typically bits of rat, Griffard explained.
In each stage of travel, World Bird Sanctuary's team, the airport staff and often even the Southwest pilots are careful to keep Clark's trip as bump-free as possible. He hates turbulence.
When the group arrives at their destination, Clark gets his own hotel room. They move the furniture and throw a large tarp over the floor. He gets a perch in the middle of the room, from which he watches TV. Griffard said he prefers cartoons and nature shows.
Similarly reported:
KION
WBAL
WUFT
CNN
FOX Weather
The Washington Post
Return to Contents
The Washington Post
By Lori Aratani
As Dulles International Airport emerges from a global pandemic and prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, the airport is laying the groundwork for a makeover it hopes will set the stage for its future.
Plans for a 14-gate concourse announced earlier this year are part of a broader modernization effort at Dulles, which has long served as the region’s international hub. Shepherding the airport through that process is Richard Golinowski, who worked in various roles at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for more than two decades. He was appointed director of the airport last September.
Golinowski spoke with The Washington Post about Dulles’ pandemic recovery, plans for future expansion and the benefits of the Silver Line extension. This interview has been lightly edited.
Q: How are things these days at Dulles and how close are you to pre-pandemic operations?
A: The airport is abuzz with activity. It’s pretty phenomenal how many people are starting to come back and starting to get on a plane to travel. We are approximately 85 percent of where we were in 2019. So we are a little bit ahead of our budget numbers right now. And it looks like going into 2023, we’ll probably be around 90 percent of where we were 2019. About 95 percent of our concessions are open and making money, so we are doing well.
Q: What’s fueling the increase in flights? Are carriers coming back and restarting service or are new carriers coming in?
A: We have a mixture of both. We have some carriers coming back. The latest one was Iberia going to Madrid. They had been with us a few years ago. But our existing carriers are adding service. United added Amman, Jordan; Ethiopian added Lomé, Togo; and Avianca added Costa Rica. Allegiant is another new carrier. They started domestic service to Jacksonville, Fla., and Austin this past year. And hopefully, if everything goes well, by November, United will start service to Cape Town.
More Q & A's with transportation newsmakers
Q: How long have you been running the show at Dulles?
A: It’s been about 11 months. I’ve been with the authority for about 27 years, so I knew a lot of people here at Dulles. But there are a lot of interesting places here at the airport that I never knew existed. And I’m getting the grand tour. Somebody is always showing me something new, so it’s pretty exciting.
Q: Dulles is celebrating its 60th year this year. What do you all have planned?
A: The 60th anniversary will be on Nov. 17, so we are building up to that. We’re going to have several events that week, including some giveaways to employees and to customers. We’re going to have a dinner event through our Committee for Dulles organization. And you’re starting to see, if you come to the airport, signs and banners announcing the 60th anniversary. We’re going to involve not just the authority employees, but also all the people who work at the airport on a day-to-day basis. We have about 14,000 people who work here at the airport supporting operations and everybody is pretty excited.
Q: At 60, is Dulles starting to show its age?
A: Yes, it is. We’re starting to see some problems in some of our older buildings and we’re addressing those. Obviously, over the past couple of years, we’ve tried to control our budget as much as we could, but now that things are starting to look up, we’re starting to free up some money for maintenance for some of our older infrastructure.
Q: There’s been some big news out of Dulles recently. Can you tell me more about the 14-gate concourse and what it’s going to mean for travelers?
A: If you’re familiar with the C/D concourse — that’s the United Concourse — when that was built, it was built as a “temporary facility.” Well, it’s been around for 20 or 30 years now. We always had intentions to replace it, so this piece that’s coming, Concourse East, will be the first phase of the revitalization of Dulles Airport. It’s going to be a 14-gate addition that’s going to be built right on top of the C train station. If you’re familiar with this train station today, when you go in and you come out of the train, you have a long walk back to the gate. The new concourse will be built right on top of that train station, so you’ll just pop right up through escalators and elevators right into the concourse.
Q: How long will this take to complete?
A: We hope to have it done by 2026.
Q: How does this fit into the larger master plan for Dulles?
A: After we build this concourse we will then extend it across the airfield over time and ultimately replace the C/D concourse. Right now we are going through the planning process to identify the best way to do that. If you think of it today, it would be one large concourse, parallel to the C/D concourse we have today.
Q: How can the public get involved in the planning process for Dulles?
A: We are going to have a series of public participation venues or events, where people can come and see what our preliminary plan is and what our long-term plan is. The first one was held on April 27 and we are getting ready to schedule the next one or two of those public sessions. People can also go to the website and submit questions or concerns or comments about our master plan. It’s also important to note that the last time we did a master plan was in 1985. So the existing plan is 37 years old and it needs to be updated.
Q: As the person responsible for managing Dulles, do you hear from passengers about features or services they’d like to see?
A: One of the things we constantly hear about is easy access to the gates. So part of the master planning process is trying to figure out how to incorporate [Transportation Security Administration] checkpoint screening areas into our facilities a little bit better. Also, on return flights, we’ll look at how we can help Customs and Border Protection streamline their operations for people coming into the country.
Q: How will the opening of the second phase of the Silver Line impact Dulles?
A: It’s going to be good for the airport. I think, ultimately, it will bring more employees to the airport than it will passengers. But that’s good. If we can get employees to the airport more easily — transporting them via public transportation rather than driving on the roads every day — I think it’s going to be good for the area.
Q: Why won’t more passengers use it? Is it because it’s such a long ride from downtown D. C.?
A: I don’t think it’s a time thing. I think it’s quite frankly, it’s a luggage thing. People don’t want to carry luggage on the Metro. They’d rather just drive or take an Uber, take a taxi or have somebody drive them to the airport with their luggage.
Q: In this region there seems to be some bias against Dulles — that it’s too hard to get to or people just don’t like it. Why do you think that is?
A: That’s a good question. I’m hoping that the opening of the Silver Line takes away some of that perception, makes [Dulles] more accessible. But definitely the development that’s occurred down the corridor has really opened up the possibilities for Dulles Airport and its expansion. So I think slowly but surely that sort of mind-set is leaving us.
Q: I know right before the pandemic, Dulles was on a roll after lots of years of hand-wringing over its future. At one point National had surpassed Dulles in passenger counts. Do you think Dulles is going to be able to regain that momentum?
A: The future is bright here. We have a lot of interest and carriers are coming to the airport. We have a lot of pent-up demand in the region for travel, and this is the place to do it. And we have very good infrastructure to accommodate more flights and more passengers. We can handle it, unlike National, which is somewhat landlocked and restricted on size. They can’t grow. We can grow and we’re ready for it.
Return to Contents
Homeland Security Today
By Staff
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) team at Albany International Airport recently donated two boxes of tools to “The Tool Box,” a donation-based tool resale shop that helps seniors stay in their own home longer through an innovative home maintenance program called Umbrella of Colonie. The shop is owned and managed by the non-profit Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc.
Not all air travelers are aware of the fact that the TSA restricts the transport of tools larger than seven inches to being packed checked baggage. As a result, many travelers who have large tools in their carry-on bags surrender those tools to TSA when they don’t have enough time to return the tools to their cars or a checked bag to place them in prior to their scheduled flight.
Items such as hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, plyers, saws, drill bits, and wire cutters are just some of the dozens of large tools that TSA officers have detected in carry-on bags at the airport security checkpoint recently.
Colonie Senior Service Centers, Inc., (CSSC) staff and volunteers will clean each item and sell them at the resale shop that helps seniors in need through the Umbrella of Colonie home maintenance program. The program connects senior homeowners with handy people who can help maintain homes at an affordable cost, allowing seniors the chance to feel safe and secure. CSSC strives to ensure the all-around health of seniors, enhancing the quality of life for the community as a whole, according to Diane Conroy-LaCivita, Executive Director of Colonie Senior Service Centers, an independent, 41-year-old nonprofit. Tool Box is volunteer run and is a gathering place for handy people and other tool lovers in the community, she added.
“Being the largest provider of senior programs and services in the Capital District, CSSC is thrilled to partner with TSA to support Tool Box with donations of used tool thus supporting Umbrella of Colonie,” Conroy-LaCivita said.
“We know that these tools will be enjoyed by tool lovers and that the proceeds will help our local community members,” Johnson added.
“We encourage our travelers to avoid having to surrender prohibited items at the checkpoint by always inspecting their carry-on luggage before they leave for the airport,” said Philip Calderone, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority. “We also offer one final option that allows travelers to purchase a U.S. Postal Service mailer at our Information Desk and mail their prohibited items back to their home.”
Return to Contents
Homeland Security Today
By Staff
A credential authentication technology (CAT) unit has been installed and is in use at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at MBS International Airport (MBS).
“The new credential authentication technology unit enhances our detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent ID documents and improves the passenger’s experience by increasing efficiency during the checkpoint experience,” said Michigan TSA Federal Security Director Steve Lorincz. “The CAT unit also reduces touchpoints at the checkpoint, which benefits both officers and travelers during this pandemic.”
Passengers will approach the travel document checking station at the checkpoint and insert their personal identification into the scanner for authentication.
Passengers will not have to hand over their boarding pass (electronic or paper), thus reducing a touchpoint. Instead, they should have their boarding pass ready in the event that the TSA officer requests visual inspection. The CAT unit will verify that the traveler is prescreened to travel out of the airport for a flight that day; however, a boarding pass may be requested for travelers under the age of 18 and/or those without IDs or with damaged IDs.
Even with TSA’s use of CAT, travelers still need to check-in with their airline in advance and bring their boarding pass to their gate agent to show the airline representative before boarding their flight.
This technology will enhance detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent documents at the security checkpoint. CAT units authenticate several thousand types of IDs including passports, military common access cards, retired military ID cards, Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler ID cards, uniformed services ID cards, permanent resident cards, U.S. visas, and driver’s licenses and photo IDs issued by state motor vehicle departments.
A CAT unit consists of the passport reader, an ID card reader, a Federal personal identity verification ID card reader, a monitor, a stand and a UV light.
Return to Contents
Telemundo Nebraska
By Staff
Desde que los pasajeros llegan al aeropuerto Eppley Airfield, la Administración de Seguridad del Transporte (TSA) tiene la misión de resguardar la seguridad del lugar, de sus trabajadores y de los viajeros.
Comenzando por el uso de la Tecnología de Autenticación de Credenciales (CAT), que verifica las identificaciones en tiempo real, ayuda a detectar documentos fraudulentos y está vinculado a Secure Flight, lo cual confirma los detalles del vuelo de los viajeros.
En Omaha viajan al menos 2 millones de personas al año, un promedio de 6 mil al día, y en lo que va del año TSA ha detectado al menos 9 mil objetos peligrosos en el equipaje de los viajantes; el más común es una botella con agua, prohibida y causante de retrasos en los puntos de seguridad.
Los objetos más comunes de incautar en Omaha son los cuchillos, navajas, herramientas de trabajo; aunque también se ven bates de béisbol, cacerolas y líquidos que sobrepasan lo permitido.
"Usamos la tecnología para que nos ayude a ser eficientes y más seguros, el CT Scan que es la banda donde pasa la máquina, donde pasan las maletas de mano, toma fotos en 3D de todas las cosas que traiga un viajante, eso evita que tengamos que abrir las maletas que tengamos que hacer más preguntas, inspeccionar porque ya vemos cuales son los artículos que trae alguien".
Cerca del 20% de las maletas inspeccionadas reportan una anomalía, un 10% se revisan y al hacerlo el TSA colocará un aviso en su equipaje con más información de la revisión.
En Omaha también se encuentran dispositivos de gas pimienta en los puntos de inspección en comparación a las armas de fuego, como recordatorio no traiga estos objetos al aeropuerto porque se contactará a las autoridades y puede recibir multas de la policía y el TSA.
Si tienen preguntas vaya a www.TSA.Gov y ahí mismo te dice que puedo traer en mi maleta de mano o en mi maleta que va en el avión.
Return to Contents
Politico
By Ben Leonard
Cyber crooks steal medical information of tens of millions of people in the U.S. every year, a number that is rising fast as health care undergoes its digital transformation.
It leads to millions of dollars in losses for hospitals, insurers and other health care organizations, threatens care delivery and exposes patients to identity theft.
But the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, which is tasked with investigating breaches, helping health care organizations bolster their defenses, and fining them for lax security, is poorly positioned to help. That’s because it has a dual mission — both to enforce the federal health privacy law known as HIPAA and to help the organizations protect themselves — and Congress has given it few resources to do the job.
“They’re a fish out of water … They were given the role of enforcement under HIPAA but weren’t given the resources to support that role,” said Mac McMillan, CEO of CynergisTek, a Texas firm that helps health care organizations improve their cybersecurity.
Due to its shoestring budget, the Office for Civil Rights has fewer investigators than many local police departments, and its investigators have to deal with more than a hundred cases at a time. The office had a budget of $38 million in 2022 — the cost of about 20 MRI machines that can cost $1 million to $3 million a pop.
Another problem is that the office relies on the cooperation of the victims, the institutions that hackers have targeted, to provide evidence of the crimes. Those victims may sometimes be reluctant to report breaches, since HHS could then accuse them of violating HIPAA and levy fines that come on top of costs stemming from the breach and the ransoms often demanded by the hackers.
Depending on the circumstances, it can seem like blaming the victim, especially since the hackers are sometimes funded or directed by foreign governments. And it’s raised questions about whether the U.S. government should be doing more to protect health organizations.
In an Aug. 11 letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), past co-chairs of a cybersecurity commission that examined the danger, raised that point, questioning the government’s “lack of robust and timely sharing of actionable threat information with industry partners.”
‘A stronger hammer’
The scope of the threat is massive and the consequences of breaches severe. According to a 2021 survey by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, more than two-thirds of health care organizations had a “significant” incident in the previous year — mostly phishing or ransomware attacks.
These episodes pose potentially significant financial consequences and can threaten patients’ lives. A recent report from cybersecurity company Cynerio and the Ponemon Institute, a cybersecurity research center, found that about 1 in 4 cyberattacks resulted in increased mortality by delaying care.
Experts said the health care sector is particularly vulnerable to attacks, partly due to its digital transformation and partly due to its vulnerability to ransomware. Disrupting care could endanger patients’ lives, which can leave health care organizations feeling forced to fork over ransoms. In 2021 alone, hackers accessed records of nearly 50 million people, raising privacy concerns and leaving many vulnerable to fraud.
The HHS office expects to see 53,000 cases in the 2022 fiscal year. As of 2020, it had 77 investigators, some of whom are assigned to other things, like civil rights violations.
The Biden administration official who runs the Office for Civil Rights, Melanie Fontes Rainer, said her investigators have to pick their battles because they are “under incredible resource constraints and incredibly overworked.”
She frames the problem as one of funding and the Biden administration has asked Congress to give the agency a roughly 58 percent budget increase in fiscal 2023, to $60 million, that would allow it to hire 37 new investigators.
But advocates for victims want to be sure those new hires would favor helping them prevent future attacks over penalizing them for failing to stop past ones.
“If OCR is looking for money that will protect hospitals … good. That’s HHS’ role — not just to penalize the victim,” said Greg Garcia, executive director of the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council, which represents a number of sectors within health care targeted by the hackers.
For the most part, that’s what the office does, but fines are always a possibility and Fontes Rainer said more resources will yield more enforcement that will encourage health care organizations to meet their obligations under HIPAA. Tim Noonan, a high-ranking official under Fontes Rainer, also expects it will bolster the agency’s ability to offer guidance and technical assistance.
A budget increase “will give us a stronger hammer,” Fontes Rainer said. “Enforcement … stops the conduct, but is also a deterrent for others.”
In July, HHS levied its first major fine on breaches since President Joe Biden took office, $875,000 on Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Services. Agency investigators found that the center may not have reported a breach in a timely manner and that it also had failed to take steps to protect data.
And Fontes Rainer is pressing to increase fines following a legal setback at the end of the Trump administration.
In January 2021, the 5th Circuit Appeals Court struck down a $4.3 million penalty that the Office for Civil Rights had assessed the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center over data breaches. The court called it “arbitrary” and “capricious,” giving ammunition to critics of the office’s enforcement efforts.
The Trump administration levied more than $50 million in fines related to breaches over four years. But the director of the Office for Civil Rights at the time, Roger Severino, also moved to reduce fines for entities that weren’t found in “willful neglect” of the privacy law or had taken corrective action, saying the office had misinterpreted the law.
If HHS were to further back off from enforcement, it could prompt more negligence, some experts said.
More than half of the health care industry is “woefully underprepared” to protect against cyber threats, said Carter Groome, CEO of First Health Advisory, a health care risk management consulting firm.
At organizations with few resources, that lack of preparedness is understandable. But it’s not at large health systems.
“We know of a CIO in a small rural facility … he’s also in charge of … everything from snow shoveling to making sure the air conditioning is working,” said Tom Leary, vice president of government relations at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. “But if they’re well-resourced and they’re not meeting their responsibilities, [enforcement] absolutely needs to be a part of the process.”
Leary’s group has found that cybersecurity budgets are often meager.
Stepped-up enforcement could prompt health care organizations to increase them.
“You see a cop on the side of the road, you slow down. When you don’t, you may not necessarily be paying as much attention to how fast you’re going.”
Others are more skeptical. “HHS enforcement is like ninth on the list of reasons to have a good security program,” Kirk Nahra, a privacy attorney at law firm WilmerHale said, adding that aggressive enforcement could hamper data sharing that the government is otherwise trying to encourage. “Why would I open up access to you ... if there’s a risk it could go wrong and I could get hammered.”
There are other ways government could help health care organizations improve their cybersecurity. Advocates for industry point to two key areas: cash for better defense systems and funding for workforce development.
John Riggi, the national adviser for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, has called for federal support in training workers and grants to help organizations boost their security efforts. And in testimony to Congress, Erik Decker, chief information security officer at hospital chain Intermountain Healthcare, called for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to look into developing payment models to “directly fund” cyber programs.
In contrast to King and Gallagher, many in the industry said they are encouraged by progress on information sharing. HHS’ Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center has helped, they said, and the public-private 405(d) Program and Task Group has received high marks for its work to develop guidelines to help health care organizations defend themselves. Congress called for the collaboration in section 405(d) of a 2015 law.
Still, King and Gallagher in their letter to Becerra said they worried the information sharing was not robust enough, given the growth in cyberattacks. They called for an urgent briefing from HHS and suggested they’d be willing to propose funding and laws extending the agency new powers to take on the hackers.
Return to Contents
Reader’s Digest
By Crystal Wilde
You’re a seasoned traveler. You know the best time to buy airplane tickets, you own smart luggage and you’re a whiz with airplane facts. But even you can get tripped up when going through an airport security check. While the process can be tricky, it becomes a whole lot easier and faster when you’re clued in on the latest TSA carry-on rules.
Questions and uncertainties about TSA-approved items abound: What can I take on a plane in checked luggage? What’s the TSA liquid limit? Can you bring food on a plane? It also feels impossible to know what the best carry-ons are when there are different rules about size and weight for different airlines.
Of course, there’s a good reason behind the restrictions: your safety. Strict TSA carry-on rules about the dimensions of cabin luggage and items allowed on board were implemented in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks. After British officials stopped a plot to use liquid explosives in 2006, the TSA also temporarily banned all liquids in carry-on luggage. These rules have now been relaxed to some degree, but the exact intricacies are about as clear as mud to most of us. We spoke to security and travel experts to get to the bottom of what you can and cannot take on flights to help you get through security a whole lot faster—and ensure that your belongings don’t get confiscated by the TSA.
What are the size and weight restrictions for carry-ons?
Surprisingly, there’s no one answer to this question. Each airline has its own regulations, and the TSA itself is actually only interested in the contents of your bag, not the size. Many airlines have a maximum size of 22” x 14” x 9”, including wheels and handles, but this is by no means universal. Some budget airlines won’t allow carry-ons at all (other than a small personal item like a purse or a laptop bag) with a standard ticket, while others have both size and weight requirements.
You should always check with your airline before you travel, but here are the rules for some of the bigger carriers:
American Airlines
- All passengers get one piece of carry-on luggage, regardless of ticket type.
- Bag dimensions should be no larger than 22” x 14” x 9”.
Delta Airlines
- Passengers are allowed one piece of carry-on luggage and one small personal item, such as a purse, a small backpack or a laptop case.
- Measurements must not exceed 22” x 14” x 9”, and the total length plus height must not exceed 45 inches.
- Singapore imposes weight restrictions of 7kg (around 15 pounds), while in Beijing and Shanghai, the limit is 10kg (22 pounds).
JetBlue
- Different JetBlue passengers get different luggage allowances. Basic Blue ticket holders get one personal item, Mosaic customers get one carry-on, and Blue, Extra Blue, Blue Plus and Mint ticket holders are allowed both.
- Personal items must be no more than 17” x 13” x 9”, while carry-ons must submit to the classic 22” x 14” x 9” dimensions.
Southwest Airlines
- Every passenger gets one carry-on and one personal item.
- Carry-ons can go up to 24” x 16” x 10″, which gives you a little extra room.
- Personal items should be no larger than 18.5” x 8.5” x 13.5”.
United Airlines
- Passengers traveling on a basic economy fare are allowed only one personal item, unless they are a MileagePlus Premier Member, traveling internationally or have a MileagePlus credit card.
- Maximum carry-on dimensions are 22” x 14” x 9”.
- Personal items are limited to 17” x 10” x 9”.
- What is allowed in your carry-on?
- Clothes, cosmetics in the suitcases
- SOUTH_AGENCY/GETTY IMAGES
TSA carry-on rules have nothing to say about the size of your luggage, but they do have quite a lot to say about what goes in it. Probably the most important thing to be aware of is the so-called “3-1-1 rule,” which limits the size and quantity of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag. Anything of this nature, including toothpaste, hand sanitizer and snacks (excluding baby food), must be contained within 3.4-ounce containers and fit inside one transparent quart-sized bag that gets placed in a bin and is scanned separately from your other carry-on items. If you’re wondering how many little bottles of lotions and potions that works out to be, it’s about nine.
Even when following these TSA carry-on rules, however, there are some exceptions and surprises. Let’s take a look below, and if you have other specific items you’re wondering about, check out the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page.
Allowed: Breast milk, formula and baby food
Many parents don’t know that you can bring formula, breast milk, juice and baby food in quantities greater than 3.4 fluid ounces when flying with an infant or toddler. “The breast milk [and other baby food items] needs to be a ‘reasonable’ amount, and you must inform the TSA officer that you are carrying it,” says Trish McDermott, former VP of Community and Communications of BabyQuip, a company that provides rental baby gear for travelers. “These liquids are likely to undergo X-ray.”
Allowed: Medicine
You can bring all your medications—pain relievers, antibiotics, cough drops, birth control, prescription medication, etc.—in your carry-on. TSA allows it, and “it will save you a ton of money if you get sick while traveling,” says Elizabeth Trattner, a licensed alternative doctor. While this is important for everyone, if you have children, this travel health kit is a must, Trattner adds.
You can even take medically necessary liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes in quantities larger than 3.4 fluid ounces, but you must declare these items to a TSA officer and expect to undergo further inspection.
Allowed: Tweezers and nail clippers
“Tweezers and nail clippers are allowed in carry-on luggage,” says Jessica Bisesto, senior editor at TravelPirates. “But it’s recommended that any sharp edges are covered to prevent injury to TSA inspectors.”
Allowed: Food and snacks
“A common misconception is that food is not permitted in carry-on luggage. But solid foods—such as chocolate or cheese, cooked meats, crackers, pizza and protein bars—are allowed,” says Bisesto. “Keep in mind that items such as salsa, creamy cheese, peanut butter and yogurts must fall under 3.4 fluid ounces in order to pass TSA regulations.”
Also be aware that if you’re flying to the U.S. mainland from Hawaii, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, most raw vegetables will not be allowed due to the risk of spreading invasive pest species.
Allowed: Cowboy spurs
Good news if you’re on your way back from Texas: Cowboy spurs are allowed in both your checked and hand luggage under TSA carry-on rules.
Allowed: Lighters
Here’s a shocker. While lighters with fuel are not allowed in checked baggage, they are, in fact, permitted in your carry-on. So, why do we always see that huge bin full of lighters at security? Because the two lighters permitted per person must be safely contained in a DOT-approved case. If you can’t live without your trusty Zippo, this is what you need.
Allowed: Fishing poles
Fishing poles are allowed in both checked and cabin luggage under TSA rules, although passengers are advised to check with the airline regarding maximum size requirements and whether they will fit in the overhead lockers. Potentially dangerous fishing objects, such as sharp hooks, should be securely wrapped and packed in your checked luggage, but relatively harmless items, including tackle and even small files, can be carried on board.
Allowed: Antlers
Yep, you read that right. As long as they will fit into the overhead bins or under your seat, TSA carry-on rules state that you can take antlers onto a plane. We can’t believe we’ve been traveling all this time without them!
Allowed: Bowling balls
Sports equipment that can be used to bludgeon, such as bats and clubs, are not allowed on board as carry-on items. But perhaps the TSA considers bowling balls too unwieldy to use in this way, because they’re on the approved list of carry-on items. Bowling pins, on the other hand, are not and must be packed in checked luggage.
Allowed: Most lithium batteries
Here’s one that you’re only allowed to take in your carry-on. Lithium batteries, which are found in items like portable phone chargers, are not allowed in checked luggage due to fears that they might catch fire. They can, however, be taken as hand luggage as long as they meet certain requirements. Rechargeable lithium batteries are limited to 100 watt hours per battery, but that covers pretty much anything you’re likely to have for your personal devices.
What isn’t allowed in your carry-on?
Not allowed: Weapons
That may seem like a big ol’ duh, but people do it all the time, according to the TSA. “During a two-week period from September through October 2017, TSA officers discovered 165 firearms in carry-on bags around the United States,” says Jack Plaxe, a security expert based in Louisville, Kentucky. “Of the 165 firearms discovered, 144 were loaded and 56 had a round in the chamber, ready to fire.”
This is not uncommon. In fact, TSA officers discovered more than 3,300 firearms in carry-on bags in 2016. “Each year, TSA officers also regularly find realistic replica firearms, BB and pellet guns, airsoft guns, brass knuckles, ammunition, batons, stun guns, knives and many other prohibited items too numerous to list,” says Plaxe. Keychain self-defense devices like cats eyes and brass knuckles are also not allowed.
Not allowed: Large aerosol spray cans
Avoid packing anything that is combustible and pressurized in your carry-on. That includes hairspray or deodorant sprays larger than 3.4 fluid ounces. “You don’t want to bring anything that is flammable onto a plane,” says Evy Poumpouras, a former Secret Service agent and TV correspondent on matters of security and law enforcement. “Just buy a new product once you get to your final destination.”
Not allowed: Loose rounds
Hunters, retired law enforcement agents and military members: Remember to count your rounds. “People know not to pack their guns, but somehow loose rounds end up in carry-ons,” says Poumpouras. “TSA can easily spot them no matter how cluttered your bag, and this can cause a delay of 30 to 45 minutes.”
Not allowed: Undeclared animals
Apparently, this also happens all the time, say the experts—and it’s not just cats and dogs. Birds and snakes have also been stuffed into carry-ons. “On one flight in Florida, a passenger tried to sneak a boa constrictor through the TSA checkpoint. This shut everything down, as TSA officials were in for a shock when they opened the bag,” says Poumpouras. “Don’t put a live animal in your carry-on—just coordinate the travel with airlines. They’ll guide you through the process.” FYI, these are the best airlines to fly with your pets.
Not allowed: Loose razor blades
You can actually take your disposable razor on a flight as hand luggage. But the blades must be contained within the razor itself and not loose.
What do you have to take out of your carry-on for TSA inspection?
We’re not done yet. In addition to removing certain items from your person before going through a metal detector or airport body scanner, you’ll also have to take out some TSA-approved items from your hand luggage. This is because they can obstruct the X-ray images of the scanners. Here’s what should be taken out of your carry-on and placed in a separate bin:
Liquids
As noted above, liquids, gels and pastes in your quart-size bag must be scanned separately from the rest of your luggage.
Laptops
Laptops must be removed from carry-on bags and placed in a separate bin unless they are in a specially designed carry-on case with a padded pocket for laptops. If the TSA agents feel your device is still obstructing the image in its special pocket, they’ll ask you to remove it, though, so you might as well just take it out and save yourself the hassle.
Tablets, e-readers and cameras
Since 2017, passengers have been required to scan tablets, e-readers and cameras separately. You can, however, leave your mobile phone in your bag. Portable chargers and cables can stay in your bag too, but they can sometimes clutter the X-ray images. So, if you have multiple chargers and a big bundle of wires, you may be asked to remove them and scan again.
What happens to confiscated items?
If you fail to heed advice and fall foul of TSA carry-on rules, the TSA may confiscate your offending articles. Once that happens, your item is official government property, meaning even the TSA has little control over what happens to it. Potentially valuable items may get sold at government-operated surplus centers or online auction sites like GovDeals and eBay, while boring bits like half-finished bottles of water are thrown away. Anything useful (and not dangerous) may be donated to schools, government agencies and nonprofits, while guns and hazardous materials will be turned over to law enforcement.
So now you’re fully versed on TSA carry-on rules and TSA approved items—which means there’s no excuse for being that person holding up the line! For the next leg of your trip, find out what flight attendants want you to know about flying.
Similarly reported:
Peter Greenberg Worldwide
Return to Contents
The Points Guy
By Harriet Baskas
If you’re a frequent traveler, you’re likely familiar with trusted traveler programs such as TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Clear and Mobile Passport.
The rules and benefits for each program vary, but they all offer travelers an expedited and, in many cases, a fast and hassle-free journey through airport security and/or the customs/border experience in exchange for some personal information and, in most instances, a fee.
If you sign up for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck status) through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and are approved, you will be issued a Known Traveler Number (KTN).
Add this number to airline reservations and to all your frequent flyer accounts to ensure your TSA PreCheck status appears on your boarding pass.
While forms often ask travelers for their KTN, as well as a redress number (“enter your Redress or Known Traveler Number here”), many travelers may be confused as to what a redress number is.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
The good news is that most travelers don’t need to worry about getting or using a redress number. But here’s an explanation of what it is (and isn’t), why you’d need one, how to apply for and get it and when to use it.
It’s not the number of times you’ve had to take off your shoes, belt, jacket, winter coat, or heavy jewelry at the security checkpoint, put it all in a plastic bin, walk through the metal detector, and then get redressed on the other side.
That, as our friends at Milwaukee International Airport first dubbed it, is called recombobulation. You don’t need a special number for that, just your attention so that you don’t leave any of your belongings behind.
As mentioned above, your redress number is also not your TSA PreCheck number. Although, somewhat like a TSA PreCheck number, a redress number may help smooth your way through the security screening experience.
OK, so what is a redress number?
A redress number is what you’ll need to seek out if you’re constantly hassled by security issues when traveling.
It is the number, really a case number, the Department of Homeland Security can issue to you if you go through the application process and get a ruling under the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program.
DHS describes the program as “a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs — like airports — or crossing U.S. borders.”
And the agency told TPG it has processed about 300,000 inquiries since 2007.
The DHS lists examples of “difficulties” including watch list issues, screening problems and “situations where travelers believe they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening…”
Are you not actually on the government’s watch list but are repeatedly pulled over for additional screening or did your airline inform you that the U.S. government will not authorize you to travel? Filing a complaint with the redress program — and getting a redress case number — might reduce or eliminate the hassles.
How to apply for a redress number
Apply for a redress number online (from your computer or mobile device) through the DHS TRIP program.
You must first take a “quiz” to determine if you really have a redress issue. If your travel issue is related to “discrimination; lost/damaged items or personal injury” or “assistance during screening for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other circumstances,” DHS will point you to another program.
If your issue or complaint falls under the DHS TRIP program parameters, you’ll be sent to a login page to open a redress file, describe your travel complaint and share ID documents.
Before you start, make sure you have your current identity documents, such as your passport or driver’s license, as well as information about the date, time and location of your travel incident.
What happens next?
Once you submit your application, DHS TRIP informs you it will process your request. According to DHS, the timeline for review “varies based on the concerns raised in the redress application.”
You can track the status of your case in the DHS TRIP Portal.
Status categories include “In Draft,” which means you’ve started an application but haven’t completed it; “In Progress,” which means DHS TRIP received your application and has put it in the review cue; “Info Needed,” and “Closed,” which mean you should have a determination letter in your file from DHS.
If DHS closes your case and decides to issue you a Redress Control Number, the agency suggests you add that number to all your airline reservations.
“Providing this information will help prevent misidentifications from occurring during security checks against government records and other information,” says DHS. However, the agency warns that the DHS TRIP program cannot guarantee you’ll always have smooth sailing after that.
Security measures outside of the redress process may sometimes require additional screening, DHS notes, adding that “while this process may sometimes be stressful, we rely on the patience, cooperation and understanding of travelers in such cases.”
Similarly reported:
MSN
Return to Contents
The Points Guy
By Caroline Tanner
Earlier this month, I applied for Global Entry for the first time in preparation for my upcoming trip to Singapore in October. Much to my non-surprise, I couldn’t secure an in-person interview at my home airport, or any others nearby, ahead of my trip.
Completing an interview is the final step of the Global Entry application process. However, many travelers, like myself, have been unable to schedule one successfully due to an ongoing backlog of applicants for various trusted traveler programs, including TSA PreCheck.
Due to this backlog, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has advised applicants who have been conditionally approved, like me, to interview through Enrollment on Arrival. This service allows you to complete your Global Entry interview as part of the immigration process when arriving at the airport after an international trip, so you don’t need to worry about scheduling it at a later date.
Through this option, I’ll be able to complete my Global Entry interview when coming back to Chicago from Singapore, since O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is among the 64 airports offering Enrollment on Arrival for travelers. I can take advantage of skipping long immigration lines since users can complete the customs process in as little as 45 seconds, per CBP.
If you are considering enrolling in Global Entry, be sure to use a credit card offering a statement credit for the $100 application fee. Once you are enrolled, reference this guide for the list of 75 airports (and counting) where you can use Global Entry, both domestically and internationally.
For more TPG news and deals delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
As of August 2022, entry to the U.S. is available via Global Entry kiosks at 58 U.S. airports. As you might expect, you can use Global Entry at some of the country’s biggest airports, like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but also some smaller ones you might be less familiar with, such as Toledo Express Airport (TOL) and Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Below is a full list of domestic airports with Global Entry, outlined by region and state:
Northeast
- Massachusetts: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
- Rhode Island: Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD).
- Connecticut: Bradley International Airport (BDL).
- Vermont: Burlington International Airport (BTV).
- New York: JFK, New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
- Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
South
- Texas: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), San Antonio International Airport (SAT).
- Georgia: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
- Tennessee: Nashville International Airport (BNA).
- Louisiana: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY).
Mid-Atlantic/Southeast
- Washington, D.C.: Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Dulles International Airport (IAD).
- North Carolina: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
- Florida: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Miami International Airport (MIA), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB), Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Midwest
- Illinois: Midway International Airport (MDW), O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
- Indiana: Indianapolis International Airport (IND), South Bend International Airport (SBN).
- Missouri: Kansas City International Airport (MCI), St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).
- Ohio: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Toledo Express Airport (TOL).
- Kentucky: Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).
- Michigan: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
- Minnesota: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
- Wisconsin: Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE).
Western United States
- California: John Wayne Airport (SNA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Oakland International Airport (OAK), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), San Diego International Airport (SAN), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).
- Nevada: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
- Arizona: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
- Oregon: Portland International Airport (PDX).
- Utah: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
- Washington: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
- Colorado: Denver International Airport (DEN).
Alaska/Hawaii/Puerto Rico
- Alaska: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), Fairbanks International Airport (FAI).
- Hawaii: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
- Puerto Rico: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU).
International Global Entry locations
In addition to the above locations, Global Entry is available at 17 international airports offering preclearance for U.S. travelers, specifically:
Middle East
- United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
Caribbean
- Bahamas: Grand Bahamas International Airport (FPO), Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS).
- Aruba: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA).
- Bermuda: L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA).
South Pacific
- Guam: Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM).
- Northern Mariana Islands: Saipan International Airport (SPN)
Canada
- Calgary International Airport (YYC).
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG).
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ).
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG).
Ireland
- Dublin Airport (DUB).
- Shannon Airport (SNN).
Enrollment on arrival locations
As mentioned earlier, CBP allows travelers who have been conditionally approved for Global Entry to satisfy the interview portion of the application process at 64 airports via Enrollment on Arrival.
This service is only available for travelers returning to the U.S. from an international flight. Although appointments are not required, you’ll want to verify the office hours at the airport at which you plan on enrolling, which can be found online.
To locate the appropriate office, “follow the signage directing you to CBP officers who can complete your Global Entry interview during your admissibility inspection,” according to CBP, which should be located near the regular customs line.
In addition to your passport, remember to bring one document showing proof of residency in your specific state, such as a driver’s license, utility bill, rent payment statement or mortgage statement.
Once you complete your interview, it may take a few minutes to process your application fully, but you should then be able to bypass the normal immigration line.
Bottom line
Global Entry is an investment in your time, which as travelers we all value, especially after returning from an international flight that is often accompanied by long travel days and possible flight delays.
Given its popularity among users, expect to see Global Entry expand to other airports throughout the U.S. and abroad. We will update this story when new Global Entry locations are added.
Return to Contents
NBC Chicago
By Staff
Soon, U.S. residents will need a form of identification other than an ordinary driver's license in order to fly domestically.
Beginning May 3, 2023, anyone 18 years old and above will be required to present either a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, a valid U.S. passport or a passport card in order to fly domestically or visit a federal facility.
Designated by a star and surrounding gold circle, REAL IDs are being issued in all 50 states.
To apply for a REAL ID, Illinois residents must visit a Secretary of State Driver Services facility and provide documents that prove their identity, their Social Security number, a written signature and two documents that show proof of residency.
The following are acceptable documents to prove identity:
- Birth certificate
- S. passport
- Foreign passport with U.S. visa affixed with approved Form I-94 document
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Employment Authorization Document
- Permanent Resident Card
- REAL ID
To provide proof of their Social Security number, residents can show their Social Security card or a W-2. A pay stub with a Social Security number on it will also be accepted.
Return to Contents
American Security Today
By Tammy Waitt
An officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which was Recognized with Multiple Awards for Excellence in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, prevented a man from carrying his loaded handgun onto a flight at New York Stewart International Airport on Aug. 24, 2022. The .357 revolver was loaded with five bullets.
The TSA officer spotted the handgun on the checkpoint X-ray machine’s monitor as the man’s belongings entered the X-ray unit, and immediately alerted the New York State Police, who responded to the checkpoint.
The man told officials that he forgot that he had his loaded gun with him, and police allowed the man to leave the airport with his firearm.
It was the third gun that the TSA team has stopped at the airport’s security checkpoint so far this year. The traveler also faces a federal civil penalty for bringing a gun to an airport security checkpoint.
“Claiming that you did not know that you had a loaded gun with you is no excuse,” explained Robert Duffy, TSA’s Federal Security Director for the airport. “If you own a firearm, you need to know where it is at all times.”
Guns can be transported on a flight if they are unloaded, packed in a locked, hard-sided case, and properly declared to the airline. The airline will be sure that the gun travels with checked baggage in the belly of the plane, never in the cabin of the plane.
Don’t pack your firearm in your carry-on bag. Bringing a firearm to the security checkpoint may lead to a civil penalty of up to $13,333 or an arrest.
And if you’re a TSA Pre✓® member, you could lose your status.
Check out the TSA transporting firearms and ammunition page to learn how to pack it properly.
Return to Contents
WEHT (ABC) - Evansville, IN
This is not something you see every day in an airport security line -- a bald eagle. He was spotted hanging out with his handler while being screened at the TSA checkpoint in Charlotte, North Carolina. His name is Clark a special guest. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
CNBC - U.S. Cable
TSA is trying out drone detection technology at lax now this technology is designed to detect track. and identify unmanned aircraft that enter restricted airspace around the airport creating security risks, it works by using radio frequency, waves and various types of imaging to determine the exact location of a drone. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
KFI AM - Los Angeles, CA
Restricted airspace will be tested at LAX. The federally funded program will use state the art technology. This is the same technology also being tested by the Transportation Security Administration at Miami-Dade airport. The TSA says there have been 38 drone sightings this year at LAX. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
KTXL-SAC (FOX) - Sacramento, CA
The TSA is trying out drone detection technology at LAX. The technology is designed to detect, track and identify unmanned aircraft that enter restricted airspace around the airport, creating a security risk. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
WGNO-NO (ABC) - New Orleans, LA
It's not a souvenir because you can stab the person sitting next to you with this item. So you're not going want the person next to you having it. And you don’t want anyone to bring it through the checkpoint. You can see more prohibited items on the TSA website. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
WDSU-NO (NBC) - New Orleans, LA
TSA security checkpoint pay attention to what their directives are. Do not bring any prohibited items through the checkpoint. It slows down the processing time when TSA has to constantly check and remove. Prohibited items like firearms or other types of weapons. Another valuable tool is to AskTSA. Get your questions answered on the go on Twitter as well as Facebook Messenger before you even head out the door. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
WVUE-NO (FOX) - New Orleans, LA
If you bring a gun, we will stop it, we will partner with the sheriff's office. And rather than going on vacation you may be going to jail. Flyers are encouraged to keep an eye on information from the TSA on Facebook and Twitter before leaving home. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
KCBS-LA (CBS) - Los Angeles, CA
TSA is testing out new drone detecting technology. It is designed to find and track drones that are entering restricted air space around LAX. The TSA says that system uses radar and thermal imaging. So far this year nearly 40 drones have been spotted near LAX. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
Fort Wayne's NBC - Fort Wayne, IN
Transportation security administration is introducing the world to its cutest canine meet Eebbers -- the winner of the TSA's 20-22 cutest canine contest. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
WPXI-PIT (NBC) - Pittsburgh, PA
The TSA is marking 20 years at pittsburgh international airport. here's a live look at the airport this morning. TSA first set up a security checkpoint at the airport on 8/27/2002. It came almost a year after the terror attacks. [Editorial note: consult video at source link]
Return to Contents
|
