'Good Faith' Law Makes Holiday Travel Safer

The holiday season is fast approaching and more timeshare owners will take to the skies to reach their favorite vacation destinations. We should all be aware of a new homeland security law that can help us keep each other safe. Under a new federal law, if you see someone acting suspiciously on your flight, you can report your concerns to the crew without fear of being sued, even if your fears turn out to be ungrounded. Passed by Congress on July 27, the little-noticed good faith law was enacted as part of the sweeping homeland security bill that implemented recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Under the new law, any citizen who witnesses a fellow passenger behaving in a suspicious manner -- acting nervously, looking around furtively, conferring in a language they don't understand, acting in any way that makes them feel afraid -- can blow the whistle and report their fears to the crew. The measure gives immunity to passengers on planes, trains, buses and cruise ships. The law was written in broad terms to encourage the public to be proactive about homeland security by shielding the average citizen from possible legal liability if he or she reports suspicious behavior. The law also protects officials who, in good faith, take reasonable action in responding to potentially terrorist activity. While the law does not protect people who knowingly make false statements, the American Civil Liberties Union has expressed concern that it may lead to greater racial and religious profiling. The need for the law arose out of the 2006 incident in which six Muslim clerics were removed from a US Airways flight after fellow passengers became nervous by their prayers in the terminal, seating patterns, requests for seatbelt extenders and other unusual behaviors. As a result of the incident, the clerics filed a lawsuit against the airport, airline and unnamed passengers. The good faith law was made retroactive to September 1, 2006 to protect those passengers and negate the lawsuit against them. The suit against the airport and airline is still in court, but the lawsuit against John Doe passengers has been dropped. Much of the fear generated by 9/11 has dissipated and we feel much safer as a nation now than we did just a few years ago. But protecting our country is a constant and ongoing responsibility that we all share. Timeshare owners who travel often are among those who can help serve as the eyes and ears of our country's security forces. If you see someone acting oddly or suspiciously while you're traveling, report it at once to the crew, or to ground personnel if you're still in the airport or station. With the enactment of the good faith law, you can now act without fear.