Posted on 12/14/2001 4:50:51 PM PST by Utah Girl
Edited on 04/13/2004 1:38:52 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
It's touch and go at the airport now. Just ask everyday travelers pulled out of line at security checkpoints in these days of ratcheted-up scrutiny and random searches. Pittsburgh grandmother Marguerite Petito was "totally embarrassed" recently in Chicago when a wand beeped, "and the lady asked if it was OK for her to feel my breasts to make sure I was not hiding anything," she recalls. "This she did in front of all these men that were in line. ... I thought, 'Here I am getting felt up in the middle of O'Hare airport!' " The suspicious metal turned out to be the underwire of her bra. Thursday, a passenger at Boston's Logan airport refused a screening and bolted after her bra set off a metal detector. She was let go after being questioned by police. Their close encounters are not isolated ones. With more wands waving at airports than in any Harry Potter tale, running the gantlet of newly toughened screenings can mean allowing the liberties generally accorded only to a date, mate or doctor.
(Excerpt) Read more at usatoday.com ...
At the next gate were two Arab men in their 20's boarding the plane without going through the harrassment of a security check. Asked the Southwest employee about it and he told me that if you are white, you stand a much better chance of a random search as FAA wants to be politically correct and not upset minorities. I flipped out to say the least!
I would never go into a room alone with anyone..I would ask for a supervisor.
I agree totally.
The new measures have nothing to do with security, and everything to do with giving the "powers that be" the mere impression that they are still in control; and with creating a submissive mindset among the populace.
Sadly enough, they didn't even need to create a submissive mindset among the populace, so many have been perfectly willing to be searched and frisked right from the start. They might fuss a little about it, maybe because of the delays but they'll just spread their arms and legs and let themselves be felt out and smile because they feel a little safer in their federal agents loving hands.
Agree; and probably the intended result of the Liberal inspiration to much of this. Could be in the end, the Federal Government might 'own' an industry. . .Libs do seem to h ave a different take on what it means to 'lose'.
That said, all we need is a reasonable check-in policy going through security; maybe a few dogs outside for arriving passengers. . .add dogs in waiting areas; just 'checkin' things out before boarding. . .keeps perpetrators on edge and could alert for those substances not picked up by 'wand'. . .
. . .oh a camera's on board, panning all crews servicing planes. Then just put receiving monitors in all lounge and gate areas. . .would beat out CNN anytime.
. . .and of course, ARM the pilots. . .PLEASE
Do not want Libs to 'win' while America loses. . .but right now, they are scoring. . .
That might scare off some of the terrorists, Muslims think dogs are evil.
At the gate, when they announced boarding for 1st class passengers, I stepped up and was 1st in line. Wrong move. Yet another wanding, pat down, and a very though inspection of my briefcase and the file folders therein.
Everything was fine until I got to Anchorage, where I was again nearly stripped searched at the security gate and then again at the gate behind a screen before I boarded the plane for the short ride home.
I could understand one search; begrudgingly, but to be searched three times in Denver, and twice more in Anchorage just pisses me off no end. To the best of my knowledge, I don't fit the given profiles, except for being a male, 40-45 years of age.
I'll repeat what other have said, just let us carry and the planes will be safer than anyone could imagine.
Another poster on FR suggested that a good way to make money by taking advantage of people's submissive mindsets would be to buy stock in companies that make whips and chains.
Given the recent performance of my measly stock portfolio, I might start searching for one.
Good idea. You'll see more of the country that way to boot!
Only a bureaucrat would believe this . . . The security measures that have been imposed will not stop a determined hijacker! They only present the illusion of safety and nothing else!
Really? Never heard that. . .ALL Muslims. . .ALL dogs??? Surely, not possible. . .
Well, maybe they just prefer to adhere to the 'lie down with dogs and you get. . .'; maybe just a cultural bias thing. . .
Though unpleasant, it's my opinion that negative experiences are few and I thought it important to share a positive one.
I am not an idiot nor do I agree with gun control or welfare but I do think it would be silly to have handled my situation any differently.
And because I flew instead of drove, I was able to spend four days in New York with my mom instead of none. My freedom was walking the streets of Manhattan.
Life was better with a 200-ship Navy.
Well, do think it will discourage terrorists 'for now'; and most passengers ARE willing to pay that price, for now. . .
Given Bush's succumbing to Dems 'Federalizing' screeners; does not look like we will model after any successful program such as 'El Al' or learn from any of the Europeans either. . .no answers as to the 'why' of this. . .or why not even modifications of successful programs. . .
In the meantime, the vast majority of the flying American public are being tested for good-will and patience every day. . .
How could they search for a martial arts expert? And to think nail clippers could be used as a weapon.
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