The DHS And FBI Present: You Might Be A Terrorist If... (Hotel Guest Edition)

from the glass-container-in-the-pool-area?-threat-level-upgraded-to-'orange' dept

As we seem to be told repeatedly, seeing something and saying something is perhaps the greatest duty an American citizen can perform in service to this country. It's simply not enough anymore to install an American flag in the front yard and purchase domestic vehicles. Now, every citizen should be keeping his eye out for (and on) his fellow citizens. The price of freedom may be eternal vigilance, but the price of security is endless paranoia.

To that end, the DHS and the FBI have joined forces to compile a list of oddities that might well indicate you are sleeping one paper-thin wall away from death personified (via Bruce Schneier's fine blog). 
Possible indicators of terrorist behaviors at hotels: The observation of multiple indicators may represent—based on the specific facts or circumstances—possible terrorist behaviors at hotels:

- Not providing professional or personal details on hotel registrations—such as place of employment, contact information, or place of residence.
[Place of employment? Seriously? "Alan Smithee, 123 Main Street, Anytown USA 5578H. Occupation: Death Hug Merchant."] 
- Using payphones for outgoing calls or making front desk requests in person to avoid using the room telephone.
[Payphones? Are terrorists unaware of "burners?"]
- Interest in using Internet cafes, despite hotel Internet availability.
[This seems to suggest that the Feds have already let themselves in the back door on the (sometimes prohibitively expensive) hotel wi-fi.]
- Non-VIPs who request that their presence at a hotel not be divulged.
[Let me get this straight: normal, "non-VIP" people will just have their information divulged to whoever asks, simply because they're not "important" enough to deserve privacy? Perhaps that should be posted on a sign somewhere up by the check-in desk: "All guests are created equal, but some are more equal than others."]
- Extending departure dates one day at a time for prolonged periods.
[Something only a terrorist would do. Let me give you a real life, happened-to-me example: in town to visit the famous Mayo Clinic seeking medical help for my wife. What started out as three days turned into seven days, with the stay at the hotel being extended one day at a time. Open-ended hotel stays: not just for terrorists anymore.]
- Refusal of housekeeping services for extended periods.
[This I believe. No one wants to make their own bed.]
- Extended stays with little baggage or unpacked luggage.
[Unless the staff have been instructed to do a little snooping in every room, how would anyone know how much baggage someone brought and never unpacked? No doubt this will soon make its way onto propaganda posters: "HAVE YOU PACKED ENOUGH? Traveling light is traveling with terror."]
- Access or attempted access to areas of the hotel normally restricted to staff.

- Use of cash for large transactions or a credit card in someone else’s name.

- Requests for specific rooms, floors, or other locations in the hotel.
[Close to the parking lot, ground floor. Convenience or criminal intent?]
- Use of a third party to register.
- Multiple visitors or deliveries to one individual or room.
[Ruthless cabal or post-prom drinking party?]
- Unusual interest in hotel access, including main and alternate entrances, emergency exits, and surrounding routes.
[IN CASE OF FIRE, PLEASE REMAIN IGNORANT.]
- Use of entrances and exits that avoid the lobby or other areas with cameras and hotel personnel.
[Like the one nearest your vehicle?]
- Attempting to access restricted parking areas with a vehicle or leaving unattended vehicles near the hotel building.
[During your stay at the hotel, please remain in your vehicle at all times.]
- Unusual interest in hotel staff operating procedures, shift changes, closed-circuit TV systems, fire alarms, and security systems.

- Leaving the property for several days and then returning.

- Abandoning a room and leaving behind clothing, toiletries, or other items.
[You'd think the Feds would be happy to have CLUES and EVIDENCE just laying around.]
- Noncompliance with other hotel policies.
[Ah. The handy catch-all. If the other points don't directly implicate you, then maybe something from this list will!]

So, to be a standup, non-terrorist citizen, here's what you need to do:

Pack for two weeks if you're staying for two days. Park your vehicle a safe distance away from the hotel, perhaps across the street or at another hotel. Leaving your vehicle dangerously unattended, walk directly through the main entrance with hands open and displayed in a non-threatening manner.

When registering, present as many forms of ID as possible. Be sure to mention where you work EVEN if no one asks. Brag if you have to. Hand out business cards to the staff. Let the desk clerk know that your stay here is no secret and that your room number should be given to anyone who asks, including those who don't ask. When asked if you have a room preference, answer with a bright, but unfrightening, "I've never had a 'preference' in my life! I'm easy to please and an American citizen!"

Head directly to your room, carefully avoiding eye contact with doors marked "Employees Only." Immediately unpack all of your luggage. Make several phones calls using ONLY the in-room phone. Call the front desk several times so as to avoid appearing suspicious. Return to your unattended vehicle and clone yourself using existing, but non-potentially-dangerous technology. Make no sudden movements and keep your ID and passport displayed prominently. Return one of yourselves to your hotel room, again using the front entrance in a non-threatening, flag-waving manner.

Stay in your room. Use the provided wi-fi. Avoid sites that use any form of encryption. Be careful not to stay in your room too long. When venturing out for something to eat or a non-suspicious conversation with the suspicious staff, avoid stairwells, hallways, exits/entrances, and connecting roads. On second thought, just stay in your room. This will make it easier to avoid being caught up in the middle of a personnel shift change.

If you must leave your room, smile and wave at each and every security camera. Lift your shirt to display lack of weapons, explosives or identifiable scars and tattoos. If purchasing anything from the hotel, use only credit cards, checks or DNA. Return to your room using the most surveilled route. Use the in-room phone to order room service. Turn down the delivery when it comes, stating that you're trying to keep visitors and deliveries to a minimum. Apologize for not having any cash to tip with, but explain that this lack of cash directly contributes (not monetarily, of course) to the safety of everyone in the hotel. Repeat this apology to housekeeping when they arrive, being sure to answer the door before they get to the second knock. Try to ignore their just-out-of-earshot griping about having to clean around the scattered contents of four large suitcases. Smile in a non-threatening fashion and shrug as if to say, "LOOK AT HOW MUCH I DON'T HAVE TO HIDE."

If you find that, despite your careful planning, your stay is going to be extended indefinitey, switch hotels. Pack all of your belongings carefully. Police the room for any stray socks, unused condoms or stealable toiletries. Turn the coffee maker OFF (if applicable). Leave in an unhurried fashion, but don't dawdle. Return to your attended vehicle and (most likely) dead clone. Drive to another hotel, preferably one a non-suspicious distance away and repeat the process. Once you return to your hometown, turn yourself into the nearest authorities for a thorough post-travel debriefing.
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Filed Under: dhs, fbi, hotel, surveillance, terrorism


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  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 9:57am

    Eh, when I travel for work I almost always ask housekeeping to stay out until I leave. My room is usually a mess and I'd feel bad making them clean around my piles of clothes. Most of my stays were only a week so it's not like I was living in filth.

    And who cares if the bed is made, anyways?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Doug B (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:45am

      Re:

      I do the same thing. Most of my friends considered this weird behavior, and obviously so does our government.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That Anonymous Coward (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 6:06pm

      Re:

      And we've learned by watching scary shows on TV its not like they actually change the bedding.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 9:58am

    That was funny+1

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 9:59am

    My solution is just to report everything to the FBI. I have the on speeddial but now I'm being told not to call. Oh the conflicting messages!

    This message was sarcasm. Please do not report me to the FBI. Unless, of course, this was posted from the non-hotel wifi. Hmm.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Applesauce, 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:04am

    The post-travel briefing (Correction)

    I am sure that DHS is not going to require that you appear in person for a post-travel briefing. It will be sufficient for you to simply fill out the post-travel affidavit. And that won't be needed until it will be officially published this coming April.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    :Lobo Santo (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:05am

    Teh Awesome Sauce!

    With this list memorized, I can very carefully visit a hotel, exhibiting most all of these "signs" and then, when arrested for no reason, sue the Feds for wrongful arrest!

    Even better, the same Feds will probly fall for the same schtick over and over.

    Sweet, I have my retirement planned!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    John Fenderson (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:13am

    I guess I need to self-report

    I am actually surprised at how many of those warning signs I routinely exhibit.

    I almost never provide personal information such a employer or residence. (I do divulge my employer when they're footing the bill). On the other hand, they never ask, except for billing information.

    I never, ever use the room telephone, not even to call the front desk. I've had one too many disputes over telephone usage, so it's easier to be able to say that I've never even picked the handset up.

    I have extended stays one day at a time on several occasions.

    I have accessed employee-only locations a couple of times (my wife & I can get a little kinky sometimes).

    I always refuse housekeeping services during my stay.

    I often request specific rooms that I enjoyed before.

    It is not rare for me to have multiple visitors & deliveries to my room. I tend to have friends in the places I stay and they do visit. Also, pizza.

    I rarely enter and exit through the lobby, as I'm rarely parked near the lobby.

    I have a professional interest in security systems and tend to examine them wherever I go out of simple curiosity.

    I occasionally leave for more than a day at a time. Camping, hiking, overnights with friends, etc.


    I didn't know I was a terrorist. I think I need to report myself.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ninja (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:14am

    Sometimes I think the FBI scares me more than any form of terrorism I've seen to date...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Machin Shin (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:25am

      Re:

      Only sometimes?

      The FBI worries me a LOT more than any "terrorist" organization.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        weneedhelp (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:35am

        Re: Re:

        "The FBI worries me a LOT more than any "terrorist" organization."

        The FBI is a terrorist organization.

        And we shouldn't forget the mighty alCIAda either.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    sehlat (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:17am

    Perhaps the airlines NEED more "excess baggage" fees

    - Extended stays with little baggage or unpacked luggage.

    [Unless the staff have been instructed to do a little snooping in every room, how would anyone know how much baggage someone brought and never unpacked? No doubt this will soon make its way onto propaganda posters: "HAVE YOU PACKED ENOUGH? Traveling light is traveling with terror."]

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Vincent Clement (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:19am

    I always get a chuckle about the "For Official Use Only" wording. What would be an unofficial use of this list?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Cory of PC (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:21am

    To Quote Something:

    "Our greatest enemy is total security; when we think we are safe from everything, that is when we are most likely to fall."

    That is from a story by a Scottish kid I know online.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lord Binky, 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:22am

    Oh come on now! This is just getting silly. They obviously just made up a list of stuff.

    Have they even caught terrorists in the US yet with all their 'effort'? I really hope that would be bigger news than McAfee's shenanigans if they actually find one. Which makes me think if they can't find them, how do they know the indications are even right?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Mesonoxian Eve (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:30am

    Okay, Tim, that's not funny.

    Right now, I enjoy paying for my hotel rooms using the credit card I lifted from the FBI trailing me, because they violated the law to lo-jack my car.

    Once inside, I immediately don a pair of sunglasses, both for the intimidation of the staff as well as looking as though I'm someone with authority. Like the FBI.

    After I enter my room, I immediately plug snooping technology into all communication systems, hack the hotel's registration, then download the guest list so I can forward it the laptop of an FBI agent, who'll then lose it to Anonymous.

    I visit areas of interest, photographing them. I be sure to take multiple angles and note interesting changes. When I'm approached by the other nervous wreck, the local PD, I insist I'm doing surveillance for the FBI, and then point to the two following me. Works ever time, those sunglasses.

    When I leave, I don't even bother checking out. My way of saying "Thank you" to the FBI agent whose card I lifted. Though, I do wish I could see the look on their face when they see how much porn and room service I ordered.

    So, while I appreciate your advice not to look suspicious, I'll just continue playing G-Man, because no one ever questions the fact the FBI are the true terrorists.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      That One Guy (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:01am

      Re:

      That was awesome, thanks for the laughs.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 8:37pm

      Re:

      Though, I do wish I could see the look on their face when they see how much porn and room service I ordered.

      What's the delta between 'porn and room service' ordered and used?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    weneedhelp (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:41am

    I would like a room with a view

    TERRORIST ! ! ! !

    "Requests for specific rooms, floors, or other locations in the hotel."

    Wow they are really trying to make every action tied to terrorism.

    Use a travel agent... TERRORIST!!!!
    "Use of a third party to register."

    Want to use free internet instead of the 50 bucks for 24 hours... TERRORIST!!!!
    "Interest in using Internet cafes, despite hotel Internet availability."



    BOO!!!!


    Sickening.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:50am

    Shit the last time I stayed at a hotel they did not even fucking ask for my name.

    I think they're making these list stupid as possible just to see if anyone is watching.

    Really what would this list stop anyways? It's not like our track record of stopping terrorist is very good. Every single terrorist we've stopped was a FBI made/converted terrorist. Really terrorist does not even mean much these days because they've completely fucked up the meaning of it.

    They'll tag your ass as a terrorist for jaywalking these days.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Ruben, 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:52am

    And of course...

    The fact that we've not seen any of these activities exhibited by terrorists doesn't mean that it's not what they do. It means that we're due for exactly this.

    Everyone! Shoes off! Now!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:53am

    "Sounds like a new roleplaying game. Paranoia 2?"

    Nah, the last edition was Paranoia XP, so I think we're about due for Paranoia Vista. I recommend holding out entirely for Paranoia 7, though.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2012 @ 6:16am

      Re:

      I heard that Paranoia 8 would be the touchy-feely edition. They said it was in beta at the airport.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Watchit (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 10:53am

    "Non compliance with other hotel policies"?

    I've worked at a hotel before, and this explains it. All those guests with food and drinks in the pool must be terrorists!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    That One Guy (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:00am

    The FBI need to work on screening their potention employess better...

    And, you know, maybe not hire those that show up wearing a tin-foil hat and show signs of extreme OCD during the interview.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ian (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:01am

    Yowza!

    This list was a real eye-opener. I can only conclude, after careful perusal of the list, that I used to be a terrorist.

    After all, I used to travel for work, and while there I exhibited the following signs:

    1. Declined to provide place of residence: At the time, I thought I just liked my privacy, and disliked getting promotional materials from hotels.

    2. Making front desk requests in person/not using the room phone: Much as I thought it was just convenient to make my requests in person when I was going in/out, especially given that I was at the same hotel week after week and thus was recognized visually by far more staff than would recognize my voice or name (and thus got fantastic service when they knew it was me), I can see now that there may have been more sinister motivations for my actions.

    3. Interest in using internet cafes, despite hotel internet being available: In theory the hotel had internet. In practice... not always so much. Or maybe I was just trying to hide my nefarious plans.

    4. Non-VIPs who request that their presence not be divulged: After having a creepy student drop by unexpectedly (the work involved teaching, often out of the conference room of the hotel I was staying at), I asked that they not divulge my presence. But apparently this takes me one step closer to bomb-making.

    5. Extending stays for one day at a time: Didn't do this one often, but I did do it a couple of times.

    6. Access or attempted access of areas normally reserved for staff: At a couple of points when I was stuck in rooms with no internet, they started letting me hang out in one of the employee areas, where I could sit and use the internet. I could have done the same thing in the main lounge, but oddly enough the hotel didn't like the advertisement of "the internet in the rooms is sketchy as hell" being conveyed to new guests.

    7. Use of credit card in someone else's name: The company booked the hotels, and needless to say, the card did not have my name on it.

    8. Requests for specific rooms/floors/etc: Remember what I said about the sketchy wireless? I definitely asked for rooms known to have good wireless, if they were available. Perhaps this was an integral part of my scheme. Or perhaps I just occasionally liked to browse porn, which isn't really acceptable to do from the hotel lobby/internet cafe/employee lounge/hallway/etc. But maybe there were terrorist plots steganographically encoded into the naked lady bits.

    9. Use of a third party to register: My company. Were they involved? How far does this conspiracy go?!

    10. Multiple visitors/deliveries to one room. Before I stopped letting students figure out where my room was, I'd do tutoring out of my room. Which meant I might have one student from 12:00-2:00, another from 2:30-4:00, and then later another one from 6:00-8:00. And then I might order Chinese. Clearly this is nefarious.

    11. Unusual interest in hotel access, including main and alternate entrances, emergency exits, and surrounding routes: I know it's unusual, but I like not dying in fires. Also, when the hotel is on a city block comprising joined buildings, and my favourite restaurant is behind said hotel, it's nice to know how to get out the back door so that I don't have to go around the entire block to get there and back, even if this means cutting through a service entrance.

    12. Unusual interest in hotel staff operating procedures, shift changes, closed-circuit TV systems, fire alarms, and security systems: I was there often enough to know a lot of the staff, many of whom would cut me all manner of breaks, some of whom wouldn't. Knowing when the guy who'd get all huffy about me using the internet in a hallway or taking the service entrance was on shift was useful. Also, perhaps I was needing to figure out when the nuclear device could be smuggled in.

    13. Use of entrances and exits that avoid the lobby or other areas with cameras and hotel personnel: Oh my god, that back door route was even more dastardly than I thought.

    14. Attempting to access restricted parking areas with a vehicle or leaving unattended vehicles near the hotel building: Man, sometimes I left my rental (OMG!) vehicle parked for entire days without attending to it.

    15. Leaving the property for several days and then returning: Sometimes I was invited over by friends. Sometimes the invitation included alcohol. Sometimes I did not feel inclined or able to return immediately afterwards. And sometimes I just felt there were better places to spend my time than in a hotel room that was decorated in what I'd call "suicide beige" (or suicide bomber beige?).

    16. Abandoning a room and leaving behind clothing, toiletries, or other items: I'm forgetful. Also, when you're going back each week, and they know you, if you forget something important it'll be waiting in your new room next week.

    17. Noncompliance with other hotel policies: I used to cook myself food in the hotel coffee maker. I suspect that 'coffee pot eggs' are probably a violation of some sort of policy.

    The worst part is that this list clearly establishes that I was up to some sort of terrorist activity, but that I still don't know what it was. Was I some sort of sleeper agent? I didn't read about any major disasters, but maybe it was covered up. Maybe it was just a dry run. Not knowing is really going to bother me.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      PRMan, 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:08pm

      Re: Yowza!

      My list is similar, guess we are both terrorists...

      I never provide place of employment
      I always make front desk requests in person (I don’t like calling people when I could talk to them face-to-face, it’s more human)
      I always put up a do-not-disturb placard all day. I don’t want people going through my stuff. I’ve had too many things stolen by hotel staff and would rather they just stay out. I’m only there for 2-3 days anyway.
      I always live out of my suitcase. I never unpack anything.
      I always request certain rooms, mostly away from the elevators because of the noise.
      I always park in back and use the back stairs in and out. I like the exercise and I don’t want to be bothered in the lobby.
      I always park my unattended vehicle right next to the hotel building (in back by the back stairs by my room).

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ian (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:07am

    The moral of the story...

    The moral of the story is that if you have nothing to hide, the FBI will just make up reasons why you're guilty anyway.

    Innocent people look terrible on the stats. No one ever got promoted finding a million innocent people, but find a guy you can talk into buying a fake bomb and that's another 10 grand/year. Not to mention that if you arrest a guy, he'd better have been suspicious, so it's more convenient if you find excuses to ensure everyone's suspicious in some way or another.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:12am

    I'm normally in just about 100% agreement with just about everything on this site. This time though...

    Look, its a list of possible indicators. That's it. OK, there's potential for misuse, but should we all just do nothing and ignore any possible signs of potential terrorism? It does exist.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      another mike (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:32am

      Re:

      You should take your sarcasmeter to an authorized service center for re-calibration.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:53am

      Re:

      It does exist.

      Really? Where's the proof of that?

      The only "terrorist" incidents I can recall in the last 10 years in the US have either:
      -been planned, executed, and encouraged by the FBI finding some troubled person and railroading them into performing
      -failed entirely due to the stupidity, poor execution or planning by the "terrorist"

      If you want to go and be paranoid, don't let me stop you, but there are entirely better and more entertaining things to occupy yourself with (anything involving why Romney lost the election, for example).

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        SolkeshNaranek (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:05pm

        Re: Re:

        The only "terrorist" incidents I can recall in the last 10 years in the US have either:
        -been planned, executed, and encouraged by the FBI finding some troubled person and railroading them into performing


        The FBI, keeping us safe from one imaginary terrorist after another.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Ian (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:27pm

      Re:

      Given that all of these signs are vastly more likely to indicate innocent travelers, I think that 'misuse' of the list consists of any attempt to make use of it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      John Fenderson (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:38pm

      Re:

      I think the point is that as a list of indicators, it's completely worthless. Almost every item on that list is common behavior.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Capitalist Lion Tamer (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 3:17pm

      Re:

      I'm normally in just about 100% agreement with just about everything on this site.

      Excellent.

      "Possible indicators" vague enough to cover normal behavior by millions of hotel guests isn't good enough. As you say, there's potential for misuse. If you start using guidelines like this to detect "suspicious" behavior, you'll find that everyone looks like a suspect. This list needs some serious pruning and quite possibly, a complete rewrite.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Niall (profile), 15 Nov 2012 @ 4:40am

      Re:

      What are you on? This looks like the FBI lifted it directly from the Stasi/Securitatae, minus the bit about "report to us if you spoke to a furriner". Aside from anything else, as the OP demonstrates, trying to /avoid/ acting what this list calls 'suspiciousl' leads to much much more suspicious-looking behaviour!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    GMacGuffin (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:21am

    Alan Smithee? Red Flag!

    Yo, Tim: Everyone knows Alan Smithee is a bad film director, and US Zip Codes don't have letters in them. You must be a foreign terrorist -- with poor taste in film.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    the fools..., 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:25am

    they forgot the one thing that is important.

    watch out for people that walk in the lobby wearing cheap brazilian suits!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Josh in CharlotteNC (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:29am

    Define availability

    "Interest in using Internet cafes, despite hotel Internet availability."

    Dammit, I must be a terrorist. The last place I stayed at claimed to have wifi, but I got a stronger signal and better access from the Panera across the street than from the hotel - while sitting in the hotel lobby.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    SolkeshNaranek (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:45am

    DHS & FBI

    This proves it.

    Both the DHS and FBI have an unlimited supply of stupid, and they're not afraid to use it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    bruce, 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:47am

    Use of a third party to register.

    No more business travels. My company will jump at that.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Mr. Applegate, 14 Nov 2012 @ 11:48am

    Can't resist

    "Police the room for any stray socks, unused condoms..."

    Be sure to leave the used condoms where the lay.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Forest_GS (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:23pm

    It's just too easy to get called a terrorist. Just say you are in favor of changing a law in any way, an official can call you a terrorist if they don't like you or your idea.

    Ban the T word in politics already >.>

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:25pm

    Deus Ex

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    DogBreath, 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:26pm

    I knew it!

    - Requests for specific rooms, floors, or other locations in the hotel.

    [Close to the parking lot, ground floor. Convenience or criminal intent?]



    The handicapped/disabled/elderly are all terrorists! (or are at least treated as such. Just ask any handicapped/disabled/elderly person who has been "screened" by TSA, they'll tell ya all about it.)

    The TSA has known about this for years! (or at least they act like they've known it for years.)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 12:59pm

    and these idiots are supposed to be keeping the country safe? you must be kiddin' me! Mickey and Goofy could do a better job!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 4:58pm

    Whee! Any college grads making interview rounds? How about you Computer Science majors? Especially the anti-social ones that just have more friends on the internet than in reality? Or maybe that have a lot of homework to do, and not much time to do it? Congratulations, you're being watched.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    mister anderson (profile), 14 Nov 2012 @ 6:32pm

    Right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing

    I find this interesting... This contravenes the best practices for staying safe while traveling.

    One of the primary things to do is not make yourself a target. Ideally, this means keeping personal information to a minimum. A hotel does not need to know where I work or what I do when I am staying there. They may need to know where I live, for billing and what not. The more information that is divulged means the more information available to exploit, possibly making you a target.

    Another thing that is a best practice is to request a particular room. The ideal room, for security reasons, would be one that is on a middle floor. A few floors up means that access and observation of the room is more difficult while still being within easy reach of rescue crews in the event of a fire.

    I've personally had to extend my stay at a hotel several times. I was traveling on business, and things came up that required my input outside the dates I originally planned to stay.

    I also prefer to go down to the hotel desk should I need anything hotel related. For me, I prefer the personal contact of a face-to-face conversation over a telephone call.

    One final thing: Business travelers may not book their own hotels. Depending on company policy, people traveling on business may have to book through a preferred travel agency.

    On the whole, this list is asinine. It completely disregards common sense and best practices in order to increase the amount of information available for collection and exploitation by whomever is interested.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Nov 2012 @ 6:40pm

    Extended stays with little baggage or unpacked luggage.

    This is normal if the traveller travels more than one places.

    My sister visited lots of places in her last holiday. And the baggage containing items she bought on the way won't be opened until she's back to home (or by customs to check things inside... I don't know).

    This line don't match reality as well.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Bergman (profile), 15 Nov 2012 @ 12:10am

    > - Use of a third party to register.

    Okay, so Expedia, Priceline and Hotels.com are the new Al Qaeda? I can believe that...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Donglebert the Needlessly Obtuse, 15 Nov 2012 @ 4:51am

    small observation

    I notice that "having weaponry such as guns or explosives" is not one those criteria. I mean, that's never a sign, is it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    The Real Michael, 15 Nov 2012 @ 5:27am

    The FBI's sole purpose, besides staging and then foiling terrorist attacks, seems to be to instill fear and paranoia into the public. Why are we paying for this agency to exist?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brad, 16 Nov 2012 @ 12:30pm

    Don't be stupid.

    I highly doubt that hotel staffs are going to call the FBI if you use an exit close to your car or ask not to have housekeeping come up until you leave. It's obvious, extremely unusual behavior they're looking for.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Nov 2012 @ 9:12am

    - Requests for specific rooms, floors, or other locations in the hotel.

    Funny, taking the anti-terrorism courses the government keeps giving me on how to NOT get kidnapped or car bombed, it's outlined where you should get a room, and specifically says to request such a room. So by following the US anti-terrorism guidlines, I meet the critera of being a terrorist. HUZZAH!

    - Unusual interest in hotel access, including main and alternate entrances, emergency exits, and surrounding routes.


    Again, something you're SUPPOSED to do, by all the anti-terrorism training I've had. That's just good habits, be it for security or disaster concerns.

    - Use of entrances and exits that avoid the lobby or other areas with cameras and hotel personnel.

    Again, another guideline lifted straight from the anti-terrorism course. The idea is to avoid letting your schedule or habits be known, so you aren't as easily abducted.

    - Leaving the property for several days and then returning.

    The one reporting this is someone that the FBI should be far more interested in. Assuming you don't have a legitimate reason to be interested in my activities and you're reporting me missing, then even knowing this tells me you have an unhealthy interest in me, and I should likely seek police protection from you.


    I have to admit, it was certainly an amusing read.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Nov 2012 @ 8:35am

    Are they looking for terrorists or stoners?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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