Read in USA Today

1) Clear - The company that manages the fast track security at some US airports is doing a competition. Winner gets US$500,000. The company wants to shorten the time through security check at airports; it is looking for new technologies and/or adapting existing technologies for the speed improvement. Umm.... what about less technology and better processes? A line for business people with laptops, a line for family w/kids, a line for people that never get themselves ready until right at the X-ray machines, a line for people wearing sports clothing with no belts, no metal piecing? Or a change of the gate entrance at airports that are not designed to handle the security requirement? Have you been to SMF? Ridiculous. You check in at the airline counters, then you have to haul your check-in bags back out the line-up, cutting off people who are lining up for the check-in, to a designated X-ray machine to be screened. You leave your bags for some handlers. And that handlers put all the "screened" bags on a trolley and haul them around the airport. The bags, not covered or secured, fight their way along with all the travelers that are not screened pass security yet. O yeah, the Clear's website not exactly working properly. Based on that.......


2) Boeing's Dreamliner - the FAA is enacting new rules mandating Boeing to "secure" the passenger Internet access on the new Dreamliner. FAA worries that hackers may be able to tab into the flight systems. This is true. If the flight systems are sharing any components with the passenger network, there are risks. Doesn't matter how big your firewall is; so, now we not only have to maintain the plane mechanically but need "software" mechanics doing firewall patches? How often do you think the firewall will be updated on each Dreamliner? As long as there are Internet access, you know hackers will be tempted. Maybe we should avoid flying this model. According to Boeing, the Internet enabled aircrafts will not be available until 2009 or 20012. Still .... Not getting that warm and fuzzy feelings.