Political Conventions: TSA Busts Out New Technology, Uniforms

It's political convention season and if you're a delegate, like Jerry Springer, and you've flown into either Denver or Minneapolis/St. Paul recently, you may have noticed something new and different from our beloved TSA. In an attempt to bolster security for the added masses transiting these airports, the agency decided to throw in a few new technological gizmos like passive millimeter wave radar. This portable system, also known as standoff detection technology, measures energy generated by the human body to detect explosives hidden on a person. Used for years in other environments, this is the first time it has been employed at U.S. airports. The TSA claims the devices are safe and non-invasive, but don't be surprised if you develop webbing between your toes after getting a dosage. Another new gadget being used is the hand-held spectrometer which has the ability to penetrate sealed containers using laser technology to detect solid and liquid explosives. It cannot, however, tell you what's in that old tupperware dish that's been in your fridge for the last six months. Of course, not to be outdone by all of it's new toys, the TSA has had their Transportation Security Officers screeners at Denver and Minneapolis break out the controversial new uniforms to highlight their professionalism to the delegates and politicians alike. Convinced?



[Evolution of Security]

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Political Conventions: NORAD Says, "Don't Make Us Shoot You Down"

If you routinely fly out of an airport within 100 miles of either Denver or Minneapolis, you might see the poster above tacked to the wall at your FBO this week. These are being distributed to remind pilots of the upcoming Democratic and Republican Conventions and the more important Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) that will be associated with them in an attempt to keep the little bug smashers from violating airspace. CONR (Continental NORAD Region), the FAA and the US Secret Service are teaming up to make pilots aware of the TFRs which go into effect from August 25th to September 4th. And for those reckless pilots who don't check NOTAMs, NORAD will have some F-16s out there to "kindly remind you" of where you don't belong.

[AF Link]

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