Fake Boarding Pass Site Creator Gets Off
I don't know if you know the name Christopher Soghoian, but he's the Ph.D. student at Indiana University who created a website that allowed visitors to create a fake Northwest Airline Boarding Pass as a way of pointing out the flaws in the security system for preventing non-passengers from getting through the security screening.
My wife and I discussed how easily creating a fake boarding pass is as soon as the requirement was implemented. It is just another step in creating the perception of security in the minds of the public. (As a possible justification, since most people won't try using fake passes, it does decrease the number of people that are under surveillance in the boarding areas. I still think it's mostly perception management because a hijacker wouldn't balk at using a fake pass.)
When I first heard about this site, I was shocked at the boldness of Christopher. I applauded his commitment to exposing the truth of this "security measure" while fearing the worst for his personal wellness. Apparently, he had good legal counsel from the outset because he won't be prosecuted by the federal government. Hooray! Check his blog for more information: http://slightparanoia.blogspot.com/2006/11/good-news-and-bad-news.html
