Will music soothe the savage TSA screener?

I worked at Kauai’s outdoor airport and temperatures can reach close to 95 degrees with humidity inside the breezeways.  Anyone who is familiar with the airport knows that they offer live Hawaiian music Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2pm.  I have to admit it is nice to hear Hawaiian music while you’re screening the passengers and it does put most people in a good mood, but not all people are tapping their toes. 

I disagree with the fact that it helps the screener do their job better.  No it doesn’t.  A screener is trained for the loud and high-stress environment and should remain focused and efficient even without music. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched Checkpoint Evolution, an initiative designed to create a calmer atmosphere at airport security checkpoints. The DHS introduced Checkpoint Evolution at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) on April 28.

Checkpoint Evolution measures include soothing music and pastel lighting at checkpoints, easier-to-read signs and Plexiglass conveyor belts so passengers can see their luggage at all times.

Go to: http://www.airportbook.com/contact.htm to tell me if music soothed your soul while waiting in line at security checkpoint.

The DHS said that a calmer environment will enable screeners to do their job better. New technology is expected to help, too. The DHS said a new security imaging system will utilize millimeter-wave technology to detect weapons hidden under clothing. The technology is supposed to detect plastic and liquid explosives, as well as metal objects, hidden under clothes.

Also, the DHS is providing airlines more flexibility to allow passengers to check in remotely who have been unable to do so because they have a name similar to someone on a watch list. Each airline will now be able to create a system to verify and securely store a passenger’s date of birth to clear up watch list misidentifications.

Additionally, the DHS is accepting more types of identification at checkpoints in the U.S. Beginning May 26, federal or state-issued photo ID will be accepted if it contains name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature.

Info by: http://www.travelweekly.com/Article.aspx?id=172710&rbp=1