Delivered-To: dfarber+@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 11:14:30 -0700
From: Pam Dixon <pam@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: more on JetBlue, for IP if you wish
To: Dave Farber <dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Dave,
Last year Aviation Daily ran a short piece about 11 airlines -- including
JetBlue -- that installed video surveillance equipment in the passenger
cabins. JetBlue said that it didn't store its video, but these new
data-sharing revelations bring the company's privacy promises into doubt.
Also, the new information about JetBlue's passenger data sharing makes me
wonder all over again about the Long Beach TSA pilot program (see last
item) that JetBlue was involved in. What exactly were those "enhanced
security screening procedures?"
--Pam Dixon
pam@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Aviation Daily
September 10, 2002
Vol. 349, No. 49; Pg. 3
Value Of Surveillance Cameras In The Cabin Remains Unknown
Though Senate passage of the Homeland Security Act last week focused
public attention on guns in the cockpit, the measure also tasks TSA to
create another layer of defense -- guidelines for using video surveillance
systems in flight. As airlines begin to use the cameras, flight crews face
the challenge of not being distracted by monitoring passenger behavior and
neglecting other areas of safety.
"The worst case scenario is one pilot might end up monitoring the camera
constantly like a security guard on the ground," said Hans Weber,
president of San Diego, Calif.-based Tecop International, a company
specializing in technology for aircraft safety and security. "The benefits
of video surveillance are small in comparison to cockpit doors. If they're
used properly they can make a pilot's job easier. But pilots using the
cameras could get overly distracted. I don't see them as essential."
Pilots have the option of turning the screens off during critical phases
of flight, said JetBlue VP of Technical Operations and Aircraft Planning
Tom Anderson. The airline is installing video surveillance technology on
its 27 Airbus A320s using its Live TV feed.
FAA has funded 11 U.S. carriers, including United Airlines, Delta,
Continental and JetBlue, to install and test video surveillance equipment.
Weber said the agency is waiting for input from those carriers before
issuing guidelines on their use.
Weber said privacy groups could create opposition to surveillance cameras
if the images are captured and stored. JetBlue said it has no plans to
store images, and hadn't received negative feedback from pilots or
passengers so far about using cameras. "The benefits outweigh any
disadvantages," Anderson said.
--<snip>
-----
Ground Handling International
December 2002
Easing the flow. (Ground Handling News).
Responding to complaints from airlines, airports and travellers, the US
Transportation Security Administration has taken the first significant step
toward eliminating random gate screening of passengers who already have
cleared
security checkpoints.
Acting TSA head James Loy revealed that pilot programmes were being
launched
at Los Angeles International airport in cooperation with American Airlines and
at Long Beach Municipal airport, in cooperation with JetBlue Airways:
these will
dispense with the usual intrusive personal searches. As part of the tests, TSA
will conduct all passenger identification and enhanced security screening
procedures at the primary security checkpoint, which will require all
customers
to obtain boarding passes before going to the checkpoint.
Speaking at the Aero Club of Washington, Loy admitted that reducing
inconvenience levels for passengers was one of his primary goals. "Every
unnecessary step eliminated from the security process tends to lower the
hassle
factor," he affirmed. In addition, Loy said he hopes a pilot programme
involving
universal Transportation Worker Identification Cards will start immediately in
Philadelphia and Los Angeles and that this could eventually blossom into a
trusted traveller programme, or registered traveller programme as he
termed it.
<snip>
.........