Just saw this today. It's a leaked memo/directive from the US Dept of Homeland Security


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
Aviation Security Directive
Subject: Security Directive
Number: SD 1544-09-06
Date: December 25, 2009
EXPIRATION: 0200Z on December 30, 2009
This Security Directive (SD) must be implemented immediately. The measures contained in this SD are in addition to all other SDs currently in effect for your operations.
INFORMATION: On December 25, 2009, a terrorist attack was attempted against a flight traveling to the United States. TSA has identified security measures to be implemented by airports, aircraft operators, and foreign air carriers to mitigate potential threats to flights.
APPLICABILITY: THIS SD APPLIES TO AIRCRAFT OPERATORS THAT CARRY OUT A SECURITY PROGRAM REGULATED UNDER 49 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)1544.101(a).
ACTIONS REQUIRED: If you conduct scheduled and/or public charter flight operations under a Full Program under 49 CFR 1544.101(a) departing from any foreign location to the United States (including its territories and possessions), you must immediately implement all measures in this SD for each such flight.
1. BOARDING GATE

1. The aircraft operator or authorized air carrier representative must ensure all passengers are screened at the boarding gate during the boarding process using the following procedures. These procedures are in addition to the screening of all passengers at the screening checkpoint.
1. Perform thorough pat-down of all passengers at boarding gate prior to boarding, concentrating on upper legs and torso.
2. Physically inspect 100 percent of all passenger accessible property at the boarding gate prior to boarding, with focus on syringes being transported along with powders and/or liquids.
3. Ensure the liquids, aerosols, and gels restrictions are strictly adhered to in accordance with SD 1544-06-02E.
2. During the boarding process, the air carrier may exempt passengers who are Heads of State or Heads of Government from the measures outlined in Section I.A. of this SD, including the following who are traveling with the Head of State or Head of Government:

1. Spouse and children, or
2. One other individual (chosen by the Head of State or Head of Government)
3. For the purposes of Section I.B., the following definitions apply:
1. Head of State: An individual serving as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth, or any other political state (for example, King, Queen, and President).
2. Head of Government: The chief officer of the executive branch of a government presiding over a cabinet (for example, Prime Minister, Premier, President, and Monarch).

2. IN FLIGHT

1. During flight, the aircraft operator must ensure that the following procedures are followed:
1. Passengers must remain in seats beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
2. Passenger access to carry-on baggage is prohibited beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.
3. Disable aircraft-integrated passenger communications systems and services (phone, internet access services, live television programming, global positioning systems) prior to boarding and during all phases of flight.
4. While over U.S. airspace, flight crew may not make any announcement to passengers concerning flight path or position over cities or landmarks.
5. Passengers may not have any blankets, pillows, or personal belongings on the lap beginning 1 hour prior to arrival at destination.

AIRCRAFT OPERATOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT: The aircraft operator must immediately provide written confirmation to its assigned PSI indicating receipt of this SD.
AIRCRAFT OPERATOR dissemination required: The aircraft operator must immediately pass the information and directives set forth in this SD to all stations affected, and provide written confirmation to its PSI, indicating that all stations affected have acknowledged receipt of the information and directives set forth in this SD. The aircraft operator must disseminate this information to its senior management personnel, ground security coordinators, and supervisory security personnel at all affected locations. All aircraft operator personnel implementing this SD must be briefed by the aircraft operator on its content and the restrictions governing dissemination. No other dissemination may be made without prior approval of the Assistant Secretary for the Transportation Security Administration. Unauthorized dissemination of this document or information contained herein is prohibited by 49 CFR Part 1520 (see 69 Fed. Reg. 28066 (May 18, 2004).


FOR TSA ACTION ONLY: The TSA must issue this SD immediately to the corporate security element of all affected U.S. aircraft operators.
FOR STATE DEPARTMENT: Retransmittal to appropriate foreign posts is authorized. Post must refer to STATE 162917, 201826Z Sep 01, Subject: FAA Security Directives and Information Circulars: Definitions and Handling, for specific guidance and dissemination.

Gale Rossides
Acting Administrator




http://gizmodo.com/5435188/leaked-homeland-securitys-post-underwear-bomb-airplane-rules

As one commenter said

"Bleep you Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Enjoy your leg wound- hope it falls off so I can beat you to death with it."

The dates  Date: December 25, 2009
EXPIRATION: 0200Z on December 30, 2009
sort of give it away. This does not seem authentic.

Kobojunkie:

The dates  Date: December 25, 2009
EXPIRATION: 0200Z on December 30, 2009
sort of give it away. This does not seem authentic.

Actually the dates show that it is an interim measure while they figure out how to deal with the situation properly.

Such rules probably may not last. It's well known that drastically constraining your lifestyle is a victory for the terrorists, so the TSA will be keen to come up with rules that are not as restrictive.
However, they have no idea if the terrorist was acting alone or had similarly equipped buddies, hence the temporary period of extremely heightened security.

The bombers will come up with new tricks to beat the porous american system!

I have no problem with that. They can pat down all they want, if all of these prevent another overzealous bastard from blowing himself up, then so be it.


Kobo, send again am online now.

Good move even if permanent measure as long as it helps in the area of security. Passengers would (or should) be happy to even strip naked before boarding a flight if that will prevent one from blowing up a plane mid air.

Afam:

Good move even if permanent measure as long as it helps in the area of security. Passengers would (or should) be happy to even strip unclothed before boarding a flight if that will prevent one from blowing up a plane mid air.

The problem off course is that people who are hell bent on causing terror, fear and panic will find other ways to carry out their deeds. I am not sure if you heard about the assassinated attempt on a Saudi Prince recently, the sucide bomber was operated upon and the device rigged on his inside. It was later trigger by a phone call. Luckily the intended target survived.

You see, no pat down will detect that, but higher frequency body scanners [similar to how an X-ray machine works] will see through the human body, but it will take time to have this installed in all airports. Also there is the issue of funding and maintenance, plus training of operatives. [Potential health risk as well]