TSA defends new air rules

New rules have drawn criticism

As criticism of the US government's decision to subject passengers from 14 predominately Muslim countries to extra searches and scrutiny continues, the Transportation Security Adminsation (TSA) has defended the decision and stressed that the organisation 'does not profile'.

Kristin Lee, an agency spokeswoman, said "As is always the case, TSA security measures are based on threat, not ethnic or religious background."

The attempted Christmas Day bombing has for many highlighted the inadequacies of the current airport security, but the decision to single out those from mainly Muslim countries has provoked criticism from foreign officials and even skepticism from security experts saying that the measures wouldn't even be that effective.

Alienating moderates

Speaking to the New York Times, Rick Nelson, a retired Navy commander and former supervisor at the National Counterterrorism Center, said terrorists could turn to a technique perfected by drug couriers - hiding explosive materials in body cavities.

Instead of focusing on pat downs, he argued the United States must improve its intelligence network to disrupt plots before would-be terrorists reach airport checkpoints. "We have to be careful not to play into the narrative that Al Qaeda has made up, where it is Islam versus the West," he said. "We risk alienating the moderate populations that we need to be successful against Al Qaeda."

Foreign nationals are of the same mind with the Algerian ambassador to the United States, Abdallah Baali, saying he would file a protest once he was given formal notice of the change. "The United States has the right to protect the security of its citizens," Mr. Baali said. "But this is discrimination against the citizens of Algeria, who do not pose any particular risk to the people of the United States."

The head of global security programs at the TSA, Cindy Farkus, defended the decision saying, "We are only as strong as our weakest point."

"We are always trying to stay ahead of where the emerging threats might be."

In response to the new rules, there has of course been an application developed to let travellers give the TSA a piece of their mind... without being manhandled by security guards.

Survey on the Spot, from Boston-based On the Spot Systems, uses GPS to identify the airport you're in and instantly reports your review to TSA officials. So next time, you're strip searched and mocked for your choice of underwear, forcefully man-handled or even feel you're being racially profiled, you now have an outlet.

The application also has a security benefit, allowing people to also report potential security breaches to a TSA agent.

"Given the holiday timing, we have not been able to confirm specifics with them (TSA), but felt compelled to make Survey On The Spot available to the TSA and travelers in the US as a public service, particularly given recent airport security concerns," said Ken Kimmel, president of On The Spot systems.

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