FAIL.

November 18, 2008 2:52 PM

A couple years ago, the TSA began their 'behavior detection' program.
posted by gman (18 comments total)

Sort-of a double.
posted by Artw at 2:55 PM on November 18, 2008

Is this bad? It seems more common sensical to question the squirrelly bastard instead of the brown guy.
posted by xmutex at 3:03 PM on November 18, 2008

I detect that the TSA sucks.
posted by SaintCynr at 3:07 PM on November 18, 2008 [1 favorite]

A post a day keeps the terrorists away!
posted by up in the old hotel at 3:25 PM on November 18, 2008

Problem is, the trail of squirrelly bastards leads directly back to Starbucks.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 3:26 PM on November 18, 2008

Huh, I didn't know "Ay-rab looking" was a behavior.
posted by delmoi at 3:51 PM on November 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

Behavior detection works. It's much more effective then any other Airport security measure. Please try to board a flight into Tel Aviv and then tell me how you feel about behavior detection.

Casuation -/- Correlation and all, but

Average # of folks looking to bomb/kill Israelis : OVER 9000

# of El Al flights hijacked or bombed in the past 30 years: 0.

Everything else about the TSA's security procedure is a charade.
posted by cavalier at 3:57 PM on November 18, 2008

Related link, Bruce Scheiner (security pundit/geek) and Kip Hawley (TSA poobah) have an online discourse about airline security including behavior detection.
posted by cavalier at 4:00 PM on November 18, 2008

Please try to board a flight into Tel Aviv and then tell me how you feel about behavior detection.

That may be because Shin Bet aren't monkeys. Having said that, I lived in Israel and their protracted repetitive questioning could make anybody nervous.
posted by gman at 4:14 PM on November 18, 2008

Hm... there goes my plan of getting into a plane while twiddling my fingers and mumbling "Good... good... excellent..."
posted by qvantamon at 4:16 PM on November 18, 2008

I got SPOTTED at Dulles when I was late for a plane a while ago. The TSA guy was really inept and obvious, He tried to engage me in casual conversation. Where are you going, why are you in a hurry. I told him to forget it, "I don't talk to BDO's." He got very flustered and referred me to the full screening. I did engage in conversation with the guys searching my bags. They said they hated the guy who flagged me. They said he got the job because he couldn't do anything else. They said his nickname was "the crow" because his eyes bugged out.

The next time I went through Dulles "the crow" was hanging around the same checkpoint, I looked him in the eye (not too bulging) and he turned and walked away. This program is a complete waste of time if you ask me.
posted by Xurando at 4:40 PM on November 18, 2008

Average # of folks looking to bomb/kill Israelis : OVER 9000

What the hell does that even mean?
posted by Sys Rq at 5:07 PM on November 18, 2008

TSA List of Suspicious Behaviors:

-"Creeping" movements with arms in front.

-Shifty eyes

-Winking/and or fingers crossed when asked security questions

-Maniacal Laughter

-Mustache Twirling
posted by The Whelk at 5:14 PM on November 18, 2008 [2 favorites]

What the hell does that even mean?

It's all right here.
posted by gman at 5:17 PM on November 18, 2008

The TSA AskMetafilter program trains screeners moderators to become "behavior detection officers" who patrol terminals and checkpoints looking for travelers users who act oddly or appear to answer questions suspiciously.

Ahhh, now it makes sense to me. (clicking pen closed)
posted by not_on_display at 5:44 PM on November 18, 2008

Average # of folks looking to bomb/kill Israelis : OVER 9000
What the hell does that even mean?

For those unfamiliar with the start of this meme: this is where it comes from.
posted by wildcrdj at 5:57 PM on November 18, 2008

I'm seconding the importance of behavior detection over any other sort of security. If the agents are actually trained properly then there is far greater positive return on the security/convenience trade-off than, say, not letting toothpaste on board.
posted by cimbrog at 6:58 PM on November 18, 2008

"Winston turned round abruptly. He had set his features into the expression of quiet optimism which it was advisable to wear when facing the telescreen."
posted by PlusDistance at 7:56 PM on November 18, 2008