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JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

blipsystems.com

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Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#11

Post by harmegido »

gorena wrote: post #2

Serious question: if there is a 16 minute queue for "security", why wouldn't a potential terrorist just wheel up a carry on sized bomb and detonate it in the middle of the "security" line? Is this something that the TSA addresses (I assume not), or do they just ignore the possibility? All they've done is move the soft target further out.

I think they're concern is not foremost for the safety of the passengers. The main concern is airplanes going into buildings. Of course, this is definitely an example of fighting the last war.

On a separate note, the TSA really pisses me off. Consider that UPS saves millions by not taking left turns. Removing or adding very small inefficiencies at a very large scale has tremendous cost implications. I don't think these security lines add much security and I think they do that task at a much higher cost than most people think.

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#13

Post by [deleted] »

digi_owl wrote: post #10
MasterScrat wrote: post #6

From http://www.blipsystems.com/indoor-sensor/ : > When a device passes the sensors, its non-personal unique ID, called a MAC address, is recorded, encrypted and time-stamped. By re-identifying the device from multiple sensors, travel times, average speeds, dwell times and movement patterns become available. Aren't MAC addresses spoofed on most phones now?! I didn't expect a system like that to still be usable.

Even if spoofed, a MAC has to be (locally) unique or else you run into all kinds of network issues. As for spoofed on phones, maybe if you have root. But i doubt it comes spoofed out of the box (at least i have never heard of such a thing).

[deleted]

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#15

Post by chaz72 »

RobotCaleb wrote: post #12

Of what use is this information to the people standing in line? "Oh, it's 30 minutes. I guess I'll hurry."

Yeah, I'm not sure the signs will help people, it's kind of out of their hands - but I like the idea of airport staff being able to spot bottlenecks more easily and shift resources where they can.

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#16

Post by eli »

MasterScrat wrote: post #6

From http://www.blipsystems.com/indoor-sensor/ : > When a device passes the sensors, its non-personal unique ID, called a MAC address, is recorded, encrypted and time-stamped. By re-identifying the device from multiple sensors, travel times, average speeds, dwell times and movement patterns become available. Aren't MAC addresses spoofed on most phones now?! I didn't expect a system like that to still be usable.

Nope, definitely not "most" phones. iOS 8 randomizes MAC addresses, but probably not often enough to stop this from working: http://blog.airtightnetworks.com/ios8-mac-randomgate/

And of course you would only need a sample of passengers with static MACs for this to work.

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#17

Post by codeaken »

MasterScrat wrote: post #6

From http://www.blipsystems.com/indoor-sensor/ : > When a device passes the sensors, its non-personal unique ID, called a MAC address, is recorded, encrypted and time-stamped. By re-identifying the device from multiple sensors, travel times, average speeds, dwell times and movement patterns become available. Aren't MAC addresses spoofed on most phones now?! I didn't expect a system like that to still be usable.

> "non-personal unique ID"

Isn't that quite contradictionary?

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#18

Post by burkaman »

RobotCaleb wrote: post #12

Of what use is this information to the people standing in line? "Oh, it's 30 minutes. I guess I'll hurry."

"It's 30 minutes, I'm definitely going to miss my flight home and I should call my family to let them know."

"It's 30 minutes, my kid has time to go buy a snack and eat it before we go through security."

"No, don't use the bathroom yet, the line looks long but it's only a 5 minute wait."

"I really hate airports, but it's a little less frustrating when I can see the wait time."

"The taxi line is 20 minutes long, maybe it's worth taking the subway instead."

etc.

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#19

Post by digi_owl »

harmegido wrote: post #11
gorena wrote: post #2

Serious question: if there is a 16 minute queue for "security", why wouldn't a potential terrorist just wheel up a carry on sized bomb and detonate it in the middle of the "security" line? Is this something that the TSA addresses (I assume not), or do they just ignore the possibility? All they've done is move the soft target further out.

I think they're concern is not foremost for the safety of the passengers. The main concern is airplanes going into buildings. Of course, this is definitely an example of fighting the last war. On a separate note, the TSA really pisses me off. Consider that UPS saves millions by not taking left turns. Removing or adding very small inefficiencies at a very large scale has tremendous cost implications. I don't think the…

IF you look at airport security, it is always about fighting the last war. The limitation on liquids comes a lone bomber bringing a liquid binary explosive onboard in the toiletry. the issue with shoes, again another bomber. matching luggage to passengers i believe is because of Lockerbie. And the list goes on and on.

Re: JFK Displays Actual Wait Times Using Beacons That Monitor Mobile Phones

#20

Post by macNchz »

digi_owl wrote: post #10
MasterScrat wrote: post #6

From http://www.blipsystems.com/indoor-sensor/ : > When a device passes the sensors, its non-personal unique ID, called a MAC address, is recorded, encrypted and time-stamped. By re-identifying the device from multiple sensors, travel times, average speeds, dwell times and movement patterns become available. Aren't MAC addresses spoofed on most phones now?! I didn't expect a system like that to still be usable.

Even if spoofed, a MAC has to be (locally) unique or else you run into all kinds of network issues. As for spoofed on phones, maybe if you have root. But i doubt it comes spoofed out of the box (at least i have never heard of such a thing).

As of last year iOS devices do randomize their MAC address when polling for nearby WiFi, specifically to foil this kind of tracking. Here's an interesting breakdown of what is actually happening: http://blog.airtightnetworks.com/ios8-mac-randomization-anal...
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