Chat-downs

Blog readers may be interested in reading about a new security measure TSA is testing. See Bart Jansen, Next Layer of Air Security: Chat-downs on Top of Pat-downs?, USA Today, Oct. 13, 2011 (available here). Passengers are subjected to a brief verbal questioning in addition to the current screening procedures. The article quotes multiple passengers and civil-liberties advocates as unhappy with the questioning, but even if this program goes nationwide it's difficult to imagine this prompting the level of public outcry caused by the full body scanners. The more serious legal complaints are likely to be connected to concerns over profiling, in particular the method by which persons are chosen for questioning and the nature of the questions asked.