Yapta Yapta Blog

In an alarming security breach, a U.S. airport security manual has been posted on the internet.  The confidential airport passenger screening procedures offer insight into how to sidestep security. The 90-page Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manual was marked “sensitive security information”.  It had been sitting on the internet since March but the blunder has only just been made public by a blogger.

There is plenty of compromising information in the document.  It includes what size of electrical wire can go undetected by airport screening machines, which items that screeners can decide not to check, including wheelchairs, and what the identity cards for the CIA and Federal air marshals look like.

There is also information about the setting on x-ray machines and the devices to detect the presence of explosives.

Here’s some more travel news you can use: (Not that we’re encouraging you to “use” the above information.)

• To mark Southwest’s new nonstop service from Boston to St. Louis and Denver, the airline is offering discounted airfare for travel from Jan. 11 through March 12. One-way tickets start at $79 between Boston and St. Louis, and $89 between Boston and Denver.  A 14-day advance purchase is required. Book by Jan 10. Discounted fares are not available for Sunday travel.

• Are you into skiing?  Well listen up.  The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is offering a “2 for 2 Jackson Hole airfare deal“.  The offer includes two free plane tickets when customers purchase an additional two to Jackson Hole for travel during January.  The two free ticket airfare deal has a maximum travel credit of $500 each and must be booked in conjunction with a minimum five-night stay and lift tickets to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The promotion is valid for travel from January 3 – 31, 2010 and must be booked through Jackson Hole Central Reservations by January 1, 2010.