nun

There is no distinction between countries in the regulations, and at most levels dual nationals will have to give up their passports and the other country isn't really relevant. There are some programs that are joint ventures (often between the US and the UK, Australia, NZ or Canada) and on those foreign nationals can get clearance.

FlaviusAetius

It would be interesting to know who here, besides Pulaski and myself, had a US Top Secret clearance. Mine was back in the '60s, during the depths of the Cold War. I was never interviewed, nor asked whether I would renounce my Brit citizenship, nor give up my UK passport (I didn't have one to surrender, I came in on my parents' passport). Of course, a background investigation was run before I got clearance.

Part of my duties involved running background investigations on serving officers, looking for evidence of gambling debts, drinking, drug use, East German girlfriends...and being a member of the Democrat Party -- all signs of security issues, which would require deeper investigation.

Security seems to be relaxed these days. Today's news includes the revelation that the TSA has hired 73 people on the Terrorist Watch List and that they don't even require that an applicant produce a Social Security Number. That may tie in with 95% failure to find guns and simulated bombs being smuggled past security. And a lot of you want these people running your lives and health care? [Sarcasm on]

MMcD

The Democratic Party is its name

FlaviusAetius

OK, Democratic Party it is.

Anian

As long as they find all the nail clippers, and confiscate drinks, we will be safe.

Pulaski

You forgot the oversized packets of breast milk.

nun

The hiring practices of the TSA (good or bad) have nothing to do with security clearances.

markonline1

Afraid not. I'd be surprised if the detection rates where much better elsewhere in the world, it's just the failure rates usually aren't leaked to the public. You always have to supply your SSN when starting a new job though don't you? I certainly have in the 2 jobs I've had.

FlaviusAetius

I agree it sounds rather strange that TSA doesn't require SSNs from job applicants - but that is apparently the case. As for hiring the folks off the Terrorist Watch List, the head of TSA explained to the Senate today that the TWL has people listed under various codes. The TSA didn't have - or weren't given - all those codes, so some slipped on board. That's comforting, it seems the TSA wasn't deemed to have the "need to know" whether job applicants for security positions were terrorists or not. Perhaps they've since been supplied with the codes. Interesting to find out whether "the 73" were fired, or simply put on paid administrative leave.

scrubbedexpat099

If I told you I would have to shoot you.

markonline1

Very strange about the SSN's. Anyway, for all you frequent flyers into LHR, there have been days where gov't inspectors have had a 100% success rate of getting stuff through. For once though, I actually agree with an "expert" on a news programme, who said that inspectors know the weak points and tend to test them.

scrubbedexpat099

Not as if you could expect anybody with evil intent also to target the weak point.

markonline1

They would have to know what it is. The lack of a recent terrorist attack involving a flight from a western country would seem to indicate they are no more aware of any airport security weaknesses than you are.

scrubbedexpat099

Admittedly I do not want to work for the TSA, reminds me of Enigma.

markonline1

Exactly. As far as you're concerned, if you strap a bomb or firearm to yourself, your almost certainly gonna be stopped at security. That's what your average terrorist hopefully believes too. There's no denying a failure rate of 95% is bad, but it's not easy to smuggle something on board bad if that makes sense.