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New Screenings at Airports Raise Eyebrows

New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss

With new procedures at airport security checkpoints, passengers may have more than just their bags inspected, screeners could also be monitoring demeanor.

The Transportation Security Administration is training some screeners to check travelers for signs of strange behavior: stress, fear and evasiveness. If detected, a secondary screening or possibly questioning by a law enforcement officer could follow.

Some fear the new protocol will lead to civil liberties violations.

American Civil Liberties Union member Jay Stanley says, "I think that when you have a system that is based on such a subjective criteria, and it remains subjective no matter what the training is about, that you will inevitably have abuse and racial profiling."

TSA officials say they will concentrate on behavior over appearance.

As for passengers who may be skittish due to a fear of flying, experts say the process will quickly separate them from terrorist suspects.

Rafi Ron of New Age Security Solutions states, "We distinguish between the two through a casual conversation. In the beginning, those indicators of stress or nervousness might be similar, but it shrinks the number of people we have to show interest in."

TSA officials are intentionally tight-lipped as to what a casual conversation may include so as not to divulge information that could aid terrorists.