Earlier this year the Transportation Security Administration announced it would be testing out soft glowing mauve lights and Muzak to fight terrorism. The latter along with extra-friendly TSA agents would greet passengers as they file through a security checkpoint at Baltimore International Airport. TSA officials believe the bad guys will be easier to spot if everyone feels they are about to enter their favorite nightclub to hear the mellow tones of some Frank Sinatra impersonator. The new theory is that a friendly atmosphere will single out sweaty terrorists finding dim lighting and music offensive and reason to glare at a smiling TSA agent trained to pick up the slightest sign of aggression. Nice theory— will it work? American Airlines announced last month that skyrocketing fuel costs have forced them to cut their domestic fleet by approximately 12 percent. I guess less American flights will cut down on air pollution while saving the cost-conscious carrier wasted fuel. Passengers, however, will realize more crowded flights going to fewer destinations. Environmental issues aside, America will now charge for checked luggage in economy class. Yes, you heard it right. A fee for any checked luggage not just the second bag as other carriers have announced. American’s Website, click the Updated Checked Bag Policies Tab, unashamedly states that passengers “who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008 will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag.” It’s rather nice of American to concede that international travel merits free checked baggage, don’t you think? It would be nearly impossible to carry aboard enough less-than-three ounce bottles of toiletries to satisfy a fortnight stay in London. High-fuel costs have seen carriers scrambling to save by reducing amenities once taken for granted by passengers flying coach. Pillows and non-Sky Mall magazines have all been sacrificed in favor of lightening the load to save fuel and money. In a few short weeks, Jet Blue will no longer hand out free headphones during flights. Interested passengers will have the opportunity to buy the flimsy listening devices before they board. Continental is still the only major carrier that serves free food on most of their domestic routes. On most flights, beverages and peanuts are all you’ll get if you fail to visit the food court. We might even soon see alcohol service banned since it might insult Muslims. British Airways recently took beef off their menus to avoid offending Hindus. Passengers have had to put up with extra charges for booking their tickets over the telephone and preferring exit-row and aisle seats for precious leg room. Now we are told that window seats will also come at a premium. Is there really anybody not worried about canceled flights, airplanes pulled out for inspection, and overbooking? You would have to be holed up somewhere along the Continental Divide not to have heard about the travails of the flying public. It’s no wonder that passengers are agitated before they arrive at the airport much less cue up for a security check. The TSA might want to now look for the smiling passenger dreaming of 72 virgins. The good guys are sweating and grinding their teeth while anticipating an ever increasing expensive journey devoid of the niceties that once awaited them. Reevaluating the relationship between mood lighting and elevator music on terrorists will make us all safer as we head down the middle of the runway.

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners today authorized a $28.4 million project to expand bollard protection at terminal frontages at Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia airports, and announced a $400 million grant from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for in-line baggage screening improvements at the New York metropolitan region airports. "These projects reflect our overriding commitment to the safety of our customers and making security at our facilities as seamless and strong as possible," Chairman Anthony R. Coscia said. "With more than $3 billion invested in security measures in the last decade, we've demonstrated time and again just how seriously we take this important issue." "The hardening of terminal frontages and implementation of in-line baggage screening systems build on a series of security enhancements we've already made at our airports to make the flying experience safer for our passengers," Executive Director Christopher O. Ward said. "We thank the TSA for providing this grant, and for being a strong partner in all of our security efforts." Last year, the Port Authority authorized the first phase of the bollards project, which is designed to stop vehicles that could potentially be used to transport explosives inside a terminal building. The project is part of a larger plan to have terminal bollard protection measures installed at all terminal facilities at the agency's airports.

Biometric identification cards could be mandated for airport workers next, if legislation introduced in the House last week becomes law. The Biometric Enhancement and Airport-Risk Reduction Act of 2008, introduced by Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., would require the Transportation Security Administration to study and provide a report to Congress on the matter. "This is about helping us build upon smart, efficient, and effective airport security measures needed to secure Americans and protect a vital industry to our economy and resiliency," Thompson, the chair of the Homeland Security Committee said. The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, a biometric identification card for port and maritime workers, has been beset with controversy and delay. The deadline requiring port, and other, workers to obtain the card was recently extended to April 15, 2009.

Trying to ease laptop security checkpoint
The Transportation Security Administration is moving closer to easing one of the biggest post-9/11 security hassles: making airline travelers take laptops out of cases at airport checkpoints. A policy likely to take effect in a few months would allow passengers to put certain types of cases through airport X-ray machines with laptops inside, TSA chief Kip Hawley told USA TODAY. Manufacturers such as Targus and Skooba Design are designing new "checkpoint- friendly" cases, which passengers would have to buy if they want to take advantage of the new TSA policy. Travelers could still use old cases but would have to continue removing laptops at checkpoints. The TSA is testing prototypes of new laptop cases that would let airport screeners see a laptop clearly and not block or clutter an X-ray image with thick padding, straps or electronics. "This is very doable, and we'll be in a position in a couple of months to say people who show up with these types of laptop cases will be able to put them though X-ray machines," Hawley said. Laptops now must be removed so screeners can see if they are concealing bombs or weapons.