TSA New Regulations May Irritate People Who Want to Travel
The Transportation Security Administration or TSA are doing extra safety precautions for people who travel through air to follow.
Early this May, the TSA kick off the first phase of their Security Flight program by requesting travelers to use their full names in booking for their tickets. Air travelers have to use the name written in their valid IDs, no nicknames allowed anymore.
Then in the second phase, to be implemented mid August, passengers would need to give their birthday and gender. Some are then left to ask, what will a transgender who loves to travel write?
What are all these new travel information for? Airlines will pass every data to the TSA and they will use this information to screen for names in the federal watch list. Airlines used to do this job, but the TSA thinks that they are not doing a very good job.
TSA wants to handle all the screening proceedings in 2010.
But until then, the TSA would not be that strict yet. Nicknames for travel bookings may still be used. But in a few more months, once the next phase of the program begins you will be required to give your full name.
Another change that the TSA would want to implement is the direct screening of your footwear. Your shoes will have to say goodbye to those plastic bins for they will be now placed directly on the conveyor belt. In this way, inspectors could check the shoes more closely.
But no one will be forcing you to do this yet. You are still free to mix your footwear with your other personal belongings, but do not be surprised if the inspector will put your shoe for another round to the x-ray.
Some eager travelers might find this irritating and unnecessary. This might even increase the risk of loss. But come to think about it, you are saving your pouch bag and your freshly ironed coat from muddy plastic bins. If those shoes skip the plastic bins, this means that these containers may be cleaner and safer for your personal effects. For your information: these plastic containers are only cleaned as needed.
So, if you planning to travel this summer know the new TSA changes. Start by booking with your full name and remember to put your shoes directly on the conveyor belt. Cooperate for your own safety.
