05 January 2010

New US airport security rules: ho hum

On the first day of US required screening from 14 nations deemed security risks, enforcement "appeared spotty," reported the AP, or in some cases non-existent.

"Everything is the same. There is no extra security," said an aviation official in Lebanon, one of the countries on the list. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The Obama administration ordered the changes after what authorities say was a failed attempt by a Nigerian man to blow up a jetliner bound from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.

The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said the enhanced screening techniques would include full-body pat-downs, searches of carry-on bags, full-body scanning and explosive-detection technology.

Some passengers arriving on international flights reported they had been patted down individually, or had their luggage inspected by hand — steps that have been in place on many international flights since the failed bombing.

In Nigeria, one of the nations on the US list for additional security, there were long lines on the first day of the new rules.

But at international airports on the list -- including Lebanon, Syria and Libya -- there were no visible changes in screening, according to the AP.

And several European governments, including Germany, France and Spain, said they were still studying the rules before tightening security any further than the steps they took after the failed Christmas attack.

"We will continue to work with our airline and international partners to ensure they meet both international and TSA security standards," TSA spokesman Greg Soule said.

By David Wilkening