part of my says "makes sense"; part of me says "it just gets more '1984' every day"

[winterbadger]

from the TSA Webpage

Behavior Detection Officers

TSA has deployed hundreds of specially-trained officers around the country skilled in detecting individuals exhibiting unusual behavior.

This highly mobile force works in all areas of airports, train stations, ports and any number of places with no notice. These behavior experts require no additional equipment and often work in plain clothes.

Comments

[blueingenue.livejournal.com]

My immediate impression is that this is a tool developed as an alternative to other forms of profiling. Law enforcement started emphasizing behavior profiling some time ago, because they needed to be able to articulate suspicion based on a person's actions rather than their appearance. It's probably better to have staff that are trained at it than just winging it.