AMTRAK SECURITY PROGRAM RECOGNIZED AS GOLD STANDARD BY TSA
WASHINGTON - Amtrak is being recognized by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today for earning the federal agency's highest rating of Gold Standard on the railroad's most recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancements (BASE). This designation recognizes Amtrak's dedication to building a strong security program.
Of the areas assessed, Amtrak received high marks for its establishment of security and emergency awareness programs both internally and externally. "Amtrak is dedicated to taking all appropriate actions to become the nation's most secure railroad by identifying and minimizing risks and maximizing passenger and employee safety," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.
"As America's Railroad, we want to provide every passenger with a safe and secure ride with constant security improvements and eternal vigilance," said Amtrak board chairman Tom Carper. "We are able to do this thanks to the tremendous partnerships we have developed with federal, state, local and freight railroad law enforcement and commuter rail and transit agencies." "The security of our system is our top priority and we work hard to make sure that we have the people, training, technology and the intelligence we need to keep our system safe and secure," said John O'Connor, Amtrak Vice President and Chief of Police.
The TSA BASE program is designed to establish a security standard for individual system security programs and assess progress. This voluntary comprehensive review of rail and mass transit agency security programs focuses on multiple categories identified by the rail and transit community as fundamentals for a sound security program. They include a review of topics such as an agency's security plans, security training, drills/exercise programs, public outreach efforts and background check programs.
Random security measures such as VIPR Operations conducted jointly with TSA, the
Operation RAILSAFE nationwide exercise to test counterterrorism and incident response capabilities along tracks and at stations used by Amtrak, passenger baggage screenings and its canine explosive detection program, which now includes 50 teams of which 19 dogs have special vapor wake training, were highlighted as leading to the success of the Amtrak security program. In addition, Amtrak's public outreach efforts through programs such as Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security (PASS) and safety videos were also acknowledged.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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I don't really want to look something positive in a negative light, however, I have to wonder what a "TSA Gold Standard" really means? I can't stand the TSA, which is pretty amazing coming from me since I was once a strong supporter of them. But I have "seen the light" and now understand what a grossly incompetent, power-hungry agency they are. YouTube is filled with videos of TSA agents terrorizing innocent grandmothers and babies (when we all know that profiling is what works, but everyone is so afraid of "offending" someone). I keep seeing my world get more and more backwards.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I keep seeing my world get more and more backwards.
If you don't already, you should listen to Michael Savage on talk radio. He does a whole rant on the TSA patting down 90-year old nuns in wheelchairs while letting Muslims go through unchallenged.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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I do tune him in every now and then. I used to never miss a show, but then when Mark Levin got syndicated and they put him up directly against Savage's time slot, I've been following him less (although I do still read his web page). I have lots of things in common with Savage--I'm liberal with animals and the environment, but I'm also not a leftist kook. Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Environment??? What makes you think we are hurting the planetary environment? (Assuming liberal = mother earth needs lots of help)
You could fit every human on this planet within the boundaries of Texas AND give each person 1000 square feet. I do not see how so few humans can have an affect on the planetary climate, especially with the Sun as our competition.
Animals, OK, but I do kill them for food because they are tasty, and humans are designed to eat them.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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On a related "of sorts" note, unless I have some kind of epiphany between now and 4PM Today, I'll be scrubbing out a planned trip to Detroit (addendum: I didn't; trip is scrubbed) Friday, which is to be by air. This is hardly because of any fear of flying or fear of invasion of my privacy by TSA, but rather simply because "I'm traveled out' from my five night trip to Atlanta over last weekend. The RT air ticket on United was cheap ($114 vs. $446 if booked today) and so far as I'm concerned it is a forfeit that I can live with (it represents an Option to me that I did not Exercise). I WANT the Detroit Symphony to have my ticket $$$$ (I don't think they're long for this world, but hope I'm mistaken on that point) and 4PM is the scrub out deadline @ Westin Book Cadillac. For them "sorry 'bout that"; but take heart, I'll be staying at a Westin in Indianapolis come May - and a Suite at that.
Why not Amtrak? #350(20) is annulled East of Dearborn.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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One of my first suggestions, back in the early 2000's was to put a Buck 110 hunting knife in every seat pocket on every flight. If someone got stupid, the rest of the customers could easily stop the idiot(s). Bored hunters could sharpen them during the flight with no-charge to the airlines.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Mr. Smith, Zimmy would have wanted to pack his Glock.
Beyond this, I stand silent for "Mike the Other" to make a comment.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Let it be known to this rail travel advocacy site, that I scrubbed out on a Chicago-Detroit journey that I had intended to make using air transport.
I think the prompting reason was that I was "traveled out" after my 5 night Atlanta trip.
I was happy to have a forfeit to the Detroit Symphony as they need all the support they can get. So far as United Airlines goes, well I have a Flight Attendant neighbor (a wonderful and dear friend if I may add) and I'm sure she will hold, when I have occasion to tell her, that they too need support.
They got such from my forfeited ticket.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by smitty195:I have "seen the light" and now understand what a grossly incompetent, power-hungry agency they are. YouTube is filled with videos of TSA agents terrorizing innocent grandmothers and babies (when we all know that profiling is what works, but everyone is so afraid of "offending" someone). I keep seeing my world get more and more backwards. [/QB]
Yeah, "offending someone" only counts for those that are of the right flavor. When it comes to offensive and intrusive checking of those that don't need to be checking, it appears that the more offense, the better.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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