What not to do while waiting for airport security
Exaggerated yawning, grooming gestures and excessive laughter are among the signs U.S. airport officials look for during security screenings, according to a Transportation Security Administration document leaked to the website The Intercept.
Arriving late, bad body odour and sporting a pale face from having recently shaved a beard are among the signs U.S. airport security looks for when deciding who to search and who to refer to law enforcement, according to a document leaked to the news website The Intercept.
Last week, the website published the checklist used in the Transportation Security Administration’s controversial behaviour-detection program, known as SPOT (Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques).
According to the leaked document, the TSA scores passengers on a point system based on their behaviour: Three points and under, and you are home free; four or five points, and you are referred to selective screening; six points and above triggers screening and a law enforcement officer is notified.
The document shows during screening there are additional checklists covering the possession of prohibited items and deceptive behaviour.
Law-enforcement must be notified immediately if any of several criteria are met, including a refusal to submit to screening, disrupting the boarding process or a “clustering of suicide bomber indicative behaviours.”
According to the Intercept, the document is not classified, but had never been publicly released. The initial screening checklist is as follows: Stress factors (1 point each)
❚Arrives late for flight
❚Avoids eye contact with security personnel
❚Exaggerated yawning as the individual approaches the screening process
❚Excessive fidgeting, clock watching, head-turning, shuffling feet, leg shaking
❚Excessive perspiration inconsistent with the environment
❚Face pale from recent shaving of beard
❚Facial flushing while undergoing screening
❚Faster eye blink rate when individual is asked to submit to screening procedures
❚Increased breathing rate, panting ❚Obvious “Adam’s apple” jump when asked to submit to screening procedures
❚Protruding or beating neck arteries
❚Repetitive touching of face
❚Rubbing or wringing of hands
❚Strong body odour
❚Sweaty palms
❚Trembling
❚Whistling as the individual approaches the screening process Fear factors (2 points each)
❚Bag appears to be heavier than expected or does not suit the individual’s appearance
❚Bulges in clothing
❚Cold penetrating stare
❚Constantly looking at other travellers or associates
❚Exaggerated emotions or in- appropriate behaviour such as crying, excessive laughter or chatter
❚Exaggerated, repetitive grooming gestures
❚Hesitation/indecision on entering checkpoint or submitting to screening process
❚Individuals who are seemingly unrelated but display identical dress or luggage
❚Powerful grip of a bag and/or hand inside the bag
❚Rigid posture, minimal body movements with arms close to sides
❚Scans area, appearing to look for security personnel
❚Shows unusual interest in security officers and their work routine
❚Displays arrogance and verbally expresses contempt for the screening process
❚Wearing improper attire for location
❚Widely open staring eyes Deception factors (3 points each)
❚Appears to be confused or disoriented
❚Appears to be in disguise
❚Asks security-related questions
❚Does not respond to authoritative commands
❚Maintains covert ties with others (eye contact, hand gestures, etc.)
❚Repeatedly pats upper body with hands (not associated with divesting objects at X-ray
According to the document, points can also be deducted from an individual’s score. Being a member of a family or being a couple, with both spouses aged over 55, leads to a twopoint deduction. Women over 55 see a point deducted, but men have to wait an extra decade before they get the same benefit.