Homeland Security Tracks Information of Travelers

feuerfalke writes "Homeland Security recently disclosed a plan regarding an Automated Targeting System, or ATS, that would generate a 'terrorist risk rating' based on information collected about the traveler. This information would include things such as where they are from, how they paid for tickets, their motor vehicle records, past one-way travel, seating preference and the meals they ordered in-flight. These ratings have now been assigned to millions of international travelers, including Americans, and the ATS is exempt from many provisions of the Privacy Act — one cannot view their rating or the information used to generate it."

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It's True

[ClamIAm]

Terrorists looooove chicken with a side of fresh veggies. Good work, TSA.

Take your pill and swallow it

[Adult film producer]

There has not been an al-queda attack on american soil since 9/11, this is absolute proof that these new policies of privacy invasion and loss of freedom are working to keep you safe.

Re:Meals Ordered on Flight??

[antifoidulus]

Obviously the best way to fly is to have lots of booze and pork....well...not necessarily related to being labeled a terrorist, really booze is the only thing that makes flying bearable.

Re:Lies my teacher told me

[SydBarrett]

Just call them "freedom files".

Re:Sounds like....

[value_added]

My guess is that it's more like the Slashdot moderation system. Mod +5 Safe or -1 Looks Like ann Arab to Me. Either way, I expect the courts will, at some point in the future, get their chance to meta moderate.

Re:Meals Ordered on Flight??

[eno2001]

Naw. Sex and chewing gum are better. The sex to kill the time and the chewing gum to prevent ear popping.

Instant Translation

[dgatwood]

Dave's instant translation from government-speak to English:

...'terrorist risk rating'...

Random number generator.

...where they are from,

If you're from California or one of those other blue states, you must be a terrorist.

how they paid for tickets

That child with the world's largest piggy bank is soooo gonna get it.

their motor vehicle records

Anybody who has ever driven to Florida is a suspect.

past one-way travel

This person seems to have a history of committing terrorist acts against aircraft.

seating preference

Only terrorists can't afford first class.

The meals they ordered in-flight

Halal is fine, but those vegetarians... man, you've gotta watch out for them. And the vegans... those are the worst.

These ratings have now been assigned to millions of international travelers, including Americans, and the ATS is exempt from many provisions of the Privacy Act -- one cannot view their rating or the information used to generate it."

All your base are belong to U.S.

This concludes this translation session.

Re:It's True

[russ1337]

Attendant: Pork sausages or Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Passenger1: Sausages

Attendant: Pork sausages or Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Passenger2: Sausages

Attendant: Pork sausages or Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Passenger3: Meatballs

....... Some time later.......

Attendant: Pork sausages or Spaghetti and Meatballs?
Passenger n : Sausages
Attendant: Oh, I'm sorry, we are all out, we only have Halal Chicken.
Passenger n: ah no problem, chicken it is.

CIA: Hey, some guy just ate the Halal Chicken. Flag him.

Re:So if you're flagged ...

[penguinrenegade]

Here's a great one for you. My wife and I got married a year ago.

1) Hotel closed in Bahamas due to hurricane. We changed flights to Hawaii, honeymooned there.
2) Due to a horrid set of circumstances and poor maintenance on USAIRWAYS - our flight was canceled and I think they towed the plane straight to the dump. FOUR times on & off the plane - first the lights wouldn't come on for the pilots, then warning lights wouldn't go off, etc. We went through security 3 times before we even got on a plane.
3) They sent us in a taxi to ANOTHER AIRPORT an hour away. Second flight change in a week.
4) We got to the 2nd airport - the flight we were supposed to take - snow problems.
5) USAirways & United kept booking and then unbooking us - six more times. Routed to LAX via Denver, Philly, Detroit, etc. EIGHT flight changes in a week now.
6) They FINALLY issue us tickets about 10 minutes before the flight was ready to go.
7) EXTRA SECURITY! Due entirely to them changing our flights repeatedly.
8) We arrive late in Los Angeles, only to miss our flight to Hawaii. Tickets must be re-done a NINTH time now, first night of honeymoon in hotel with bullet hole in window on 9th floor. I kid you not.
9) Next morning - tickets are re-done a 10th time. SURPRISE! Extra Security!
10) Leaving Hawaii - I kid you not - we had to go through security 3 times!

Lesson learned: Print your boarding passes from ONLINE - they NEVER have the extra security flag on them! ALWAYS keep a spare set on your person so that you can skip the extra security!!

Re:How can anyone think profiling works?

[OeLeWaPpErKe]

Monopoly - no

95% - yes

http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ [thereligionofpeace.com]

Re:So if you're flagged ...

[soft_guy]

Don't worry. The CIA can arrest you in your own country and send you to Cuba. You don't have to visit the US for that.

Re:Sounds like....

[ectal]

Dangerous. What if security ends up trusting the terrorists that are +5 Funny?