Visual Intermodal Prevention Response

These are at a couple of local city bus stops, mind you. Indianapolis Star (08.02.07), via DailyKos:

"Screeners from the Transportation Security Administration checked passengers at two Downtown city bus stops this morning, looking for weapons and suspicious behavior.

TSA checks IndyGo bus passengers

The TSA calls it a "'VIPR'" operation, which stand for (are you ready?) "Visual Intermodal Prevention Response." The TSA has "'plainclothes inspectors, blue-gloved uniformed security officers who are checking baggage, the behavior detection officers, and federal air marshals, which are the law enforcement arm of TSA.'"

"Some passengers were patted down or submitted to having bags checked."

The TSA "said the searches were 'by-permission,' meaning patrons could decline to be checked. Those who did would not be turned away, an official said, unless they otherwise appeared to be a security threat."

Is Al Qaeda issuing Metro Passes these days or something?