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TSA Enhances Security Following Failed Attack

By Jessie States

What You Need to Know About the New Security Measures

• TSA is not releasing specific measures for pre-screening security measures except to say the process is meant to be “unpredictable” for passengers, so it is advised to adhere to the rule of arriving two to three hours before your flight to allow for longer security lines. For more information visit the following: TSA statement on international travel to the U.S.  and TSA security preparations for airline travelers.

• British Airways will allow only one item of hand luggage for passengers traveling to the U.S. from Heathrow, Gatwick or London.

• Passengers on flights departing from or passing through Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to the United States will be required to pass through millimeter-wave scanning machines as a part of the pre-flight security screening process.

• On Dec. 28, Transport Canada put in place enhanced security measures for passengers on flights bound for the U.S. Effective immediately, U.S.-bound passengers are not allowed to bring carry on bags into the cabin of the aircraft, with some exceptions. Passengers may carry with them one or more of the following items: medication or medical devices, small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life-sustaining items, a special needs item, musical instruments or diplomatic or consular bags.

Travel to the U.S. became a little less convenient last week as government authorities reacted to a failed terrorist attack aboard a Northwest Airlines flight en route to Detroit from the Netherlands. The Christmas Day incident involved a Nigerian national identified as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, who allegedly used an unidentified device to cause a fire and explosion before passengers and flight crew subdued and restrained him.

As a result of the incident, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has created additional security measures to ensure aviation security remains strong. Passengers traveling domestically and internationally to U.S. destinations may notice additional screening measures.

The TSA has also issued a directive for additional security measures at last point of departure international flights to the U.S. Passengers will see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screenings, including pat-downs and bag searches.

“Passengers flying from international locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. “These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere. Due to the busy holiday travel season, both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in."