Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Airport Policy and Security Newsletter #76

Trusted Traveler expansion, Australia's light-handed airport regulation, spotlight on outsourced airport screening, Spain's ghost airports, fixing TSA's broken technology procurements

February 8, 2012

Robert Poole

In this issue:

• Trusted Traveler expansion
• Australia’s light-handed airport regulation
• Outsourced airport screening in the spotlight
• Spain’s ghost airports
• Fixing TSA’s broken technology procurements
• Upcoming Conferences
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

Airport Policy and Security Newsletter #75

Secondary barriers more cost-effective than air marshals, EU airlines protest high speed rail subsidies, TSA checked-luggage screening fiasco, taxiing airliners with the engines off

January 10, 2012

Robert Poole

In this issue:

• Secondary barriers more cost-effective than air marshals
• EU airlines protest high-speed rail subsidies
• TSA’s checked-luggage screening fiasco
• Taxiing airliners with the engines off
• News Notes
• Quotable Quote

Airport Policy and Security Newsletter #74

Landmark noise settlement in Ft. Lauderdale, backscatter body scanners under new scrutiny, niche airlines and airports test new business models

December 9, 2011

Robert Poole

In this issue:

• Landmark noise settlement in Ft. Lauderdale
• Backscatter body scanners under new scrutiny
• Europe’s “Better Airports” report--not
• Niche airlines and airports test new business models
• Airport finance Webinar next week
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

 

TSA's PreCheck Trusted Traveler Program Is a Good Idea, But Has Some Big Flaws

November 7, 2011, 12:01pm

Robert Poole

The TSA has rolled out the test phase of its PreCheck trusted traveler program at American’s hubs at Miami and Dallas/Ft. Worth and Delta’s hubs at Atlanta and Detroit. As an AA Platinum member flying mostly out of Miami (MIA), I volunteered and got selected.

So far, I’ve used the program twice—and both times I did not have to remove my shoes, belt, or jacket, nor did I have to take anything out of my bag (neither laptop nor liquids).

Airport Policy and Security Newsletter #73

Replacing federal airport grants with PFCs, cheering TSA's PreCheck, security theater vs. risk-based approach to cargo screening

November 4, 2011

Robert Poole

In this issue:

• Could PFCs replace federal airport grants?
• Two cheers for TSA’s PreCheck
• Why the rise in runway incursions?
• Cargo screening—security theater vs. risk-based approach
• Can privatization fix Brazil’s airports?
• News Notes
• Quotable Quotes

 

"Get Your Freak On" Baggage Screener Gets Disciplined by TSA

October 26, 2011, 9:57pm

Robert Poole

The TSA continues to find ways to violate air travelers. After a baggage screener left Jill Filipovic, who was flying from Newark Airport to Dublin, Ireland, a note in her luggage that said, “Get your freak on girl,” I’m dismayed to see that the TSA only “disciplined” the screener who wrote a “highly inappropriate note” in the bag that was searched.

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