EEVblog #129 - US Airline TSA Security & Australia Post $9 fee

Looks like the airport TSA backscatter scanners might be damaging DNA too:

Dave cuts loose on all the US airline security and TSA rubbish, their stupid reactionary process to every new security threat, and the new $9 Australia Post "Security fee" for all packages going into the US of 453g (16oz).
How will affect local business who export to the US

and don't try and ship any item with a tiny lithium coin cell in it!:

Quotes directly from Australia Post about the $9 fee when I asked them:

"Unfortunately Australia Post is not able to discuss security measures in place for either incoming or outgoing mail items."

"Some countries have had to ban all items being sent by air to the US, I think we got off lightly in comparison."

"The fee is charged by Australia Post & only covers our costs of the increased security arrangements imposed by the US..."

"We decided out of fairness to implement the fee rather than ceasing the carriage of all airmail items over 435g to the US."

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@daddyoca69 No, you lost about 3000 in the attack, about 4500 in the illegal Iraq war (that had nothing to do with terrorism or 911), over 1000 in Afghanistan that has more to do with securing pipelines than stopping terrorists, and who knows how many more rescue workers will die because of government incompetence.
The TSA patdown shit just started recently, as did a large ramp up in the backscatter machines, it's that combination that got people fired up.
The US is it's own enemy.

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@mts0628 There is no reason to do racial profiling (and it's not adequate anyway), just basic behavioral profiling like the Israeli's have been so successful with. No wonder all the talk recently is about adopting the "Israeli Method"

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@LauxHawk Err, in case you missed it, I now have to pay $9 extra per package to send stuff to the US.

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@EcliptechI The info is on the postage calculator, but further info is indeed hard to find.

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@Skynt It IS profiling, and that's why it works. It's not racist profiling, it is simply behavioral profiling based on body language, response, and looking into people's eyes. The human mind is the best detector.

[jimmartin]

I'm an American and I'm ashamed to say that Dave is completely right! We've turned into a bunch of wimpy sissies in this country.

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@daddyoca69 Boy, you just don't get it. There are **NEW** TSA pat down laws that came into effect at the end of October (2010 in case you didn't know). The new procedure was NEVER used before this date. Before that it was a standard pat down with the back of the hand that did not "touch your junk".

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@CommonRaven Of course, I don't blame the citizens, it is bureaucracy gone mad as you say. Good luck getting it changed for the better, I hope you can do it!

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@daddyoca69 What part of it being an inherent "tax by requirement" don't you understand? Extra security screening costs time and money, and that is SOLELY caused by the US government imposing the extra restrictions. So my criticism of the US stands. I have no inherent problem with Aust Post passing on the costs IF it's really "at cost" as they claim. I smell bullshit there too, so I will be taking them to task over it too.

[ronsampservice]

And they just want to pass more legislation, taking away rights of innocent people, when the criminals don't follow the law. STUPID! Laws don't stop anyone from doing anything! RIGHT ON DAVE!

[ukalafina]

Right on, Dave! Every word you said resonates with me. It is them who destroys the world and not the terrorists. When will we stand up to them to tell them we rather live in a less safe world than a undesirable one. THANK YOU

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@nbsr1 That's insane. Doesn't your country have the VISA waiver program? I know it's next to impossible for a freelance person to enter the stats (even when invited) and do even 1 hours professional work. It's next to impossible unless the company spends 10's of thousands of dollars sponsoring you.

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@daddyoca69 No different. In that case it's simply a stealth tax and/or restriction "by requirement" just as @Ecliptechl said.

[rlewis]

Sadly, I must agree with you. The head of the TSA, John Pistole, strongly disagrees the TSA's efforts are "theater". But a recent trip out of Atlanta, bound for Appleton, Wisconsin made me think otherwise.
I volunteered to use the body scanner. My first big mistake was the I forgot to take everything out of my pockets. Next my pacemaker caused quite a stir. But what I objected to most was the rude, crude behavior of TSA personnel and their "cattle herding" behavior. After the enhanced search...

[EcliptechI]

@amdivoff Please keep in mind, his comments were directed at the US government. There are alternatives the government could have chosen, other than to impose trade restrictions to other countries. If it was $2, I doubt this amount of fury would be have been generated. $9 is unjustified!

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@Maxxarcade Scottsmen in kilts must be particularly concerned!

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@shroomduke Now it's extended to Wallmart et.al, they want to tell everyone to suspect and report their fellow citizens for anything suspicious. The world has gone mad.

[FyberOptic]

You have to keep in mind that whenever something bad happens, people always ask "how could this have been allowed to happen" and "make sure it can't happen again". Now usually this isn't a completely bad attitude to have, since it closes loopholes. The problem if you ask me is that companies take advantage of peoples' fears and start pushing products/services, like this backscatter machine, lobbyists get money friendly with politicians, and scared people just say "well okay I guess".

[ResidentHooligan]

You're right on the mark. Most people here are sick and tired about having to do silly things like take off their shoes and carry travel sized toothpaste and shampoo. I sure don't feel any safer.

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@detectiveinspekta Tell that to the pilots and other airline workers who have to go through it multiple times a day. Neither is acceptable.