Canada and US announce new security measures
Small scissors and tools as well as other items have been approved on Canadian flights to improve security and speed up passengers screening time, according to the Minister of State for Transport in Canada.
Meanwhile, in the US, the often-criticized TSA says it is abandoning its useless and long-stuck “orange” threat level in favor of a new system in the next few weeks that will be “built on a clear and simple premise” of providing information to “keep yourselves, your families and your communities safe.”
The new threat system will be more detailed and include statements of “imminent threats” or “elevated threats.”
The alerts also will provide a concise summary of the potential threat, information about actions being taken to ensure public safety, and recommended steps that individuals and communities, businesses and governments can take, according to TSA officials.
In Canada, small tools such as eyeglass screwdrivers that are less than 6 2.4 inches in length will now be among allowed items, according to Transport’s Rob Merrifield.
Merrifield said the revised list would allow security to focus on more serious threats, such as explosives, and bring Canada’s banned item list in line with those of other countries.
Canadian airports will also expand use of lines designated for families. The family lines will have equipment designed for bigger items, such as strollers.
"Some of the specific changes may go unnoticed by passengers, but something they will notice is lines will be moving much faster," Merrifield said.
He estimated the measures could improve passenger-screening times by 30 percent.
Passenger screenings at airports have become increasingly controversial, particularly in the United States, where some passengers have objected to the use of revealing full-body scanners and extra-thorough pat downs.
By David Wilkening
David
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