When You Should Give The Shirt Off Your Back

NEWSDAY ^ | june 2, 2002 | Elliot Hester

[blackbag]

Whenever I hear about passenger "outbursts" at airport security checkpoints, my temperature rises a few degrees.

What are these problematic people trying to accomplish? Why are they being so thorny with the very people who are trying to keep them safe?

But after my recent clash with airport security at Miami International Airport, I realize that some passengers have valid complaints.

Traveling for pleasure and dressed in civilian clothes, I placed my carry-on on the conveyor belt and prepared to walk through the metal detector.

[Red Jones]

bump

[Taft in '52]

Airline security horror stories such as this have made me bearish on flying. The last time I traveled from Los Angeles to New Mexico, I went by car, rather than by plane. Airport security hassles played a major role in my decision to travel by road.

[kemathen7]

Power trip is right. I've flown a handful of times since Sept. 11. One flight was out of Fargo, ND. My purse was sent through the x-ray machine three times, and finally the "security guard" asked if she could look through it. I'm wondering what in the world could make these guards look so nervous about the contents of my purse. Oh yeah - pocket change. I have a coin compartment in my purse, and these yahoos thought it might have been a weapon. Took me 20 minutes to get through security. I'm a very petite, blonde female with pocket change - look out. What a joke.

[Savage Beast]

The captain with the green card had a point. The passenger with the Coke probably didn't. But, it's true, these screeners et al. can be annoying.

However:

"The security guy was out to get me. What had begun with confusion over a simple garment had become an issue of power."

Elliot, you had as much of a power issue as the security guy did. If you had just removed the shirt, you could have saved yourself some trouble, and the guy wouldn't have won, which he did:

"The pimply-faced kid with sloping shoulders flashed a victorious grin."

I probably would have removed the shirt, flexed a few times for the benefit of the bystanders, looked at the guy like he was an idiot, and been on my way. But that's just me. --The Beast

[technochick99]

Having hardly any luggage

Well that's scary. In late summer I will start traveling weekly again for a few months. I planned on leavingm ahuge back with 2 weeks worth of mix and match clothes at work each weekend, getting them cleaned down there. Now I'll have to suffer when going through security.

I flew out of London Heathrow Saturday, was running a bit late, and was pulled out for additional screening. On the page where they noted my name, it had 20% hand-written across the top.

Perhaps they pick on us 'typical' types since they know they won't find anything. What *ever* would these security drones do if they caught a real terrorist?

[technochick99]

I don't know - on one hand your advice is quite pragmatic, but on the other hand, there's something wrong with Americans following orders in order not to make waves.

[Darth Sidious]

Elliot, you had as much of a power issue as the security guy did.

That's most of the problem right there: none of these ba$tards (including this "security" twerp) deserve power. They just think they're entitled to it.

I'm all for slapping 'em all down a few notches, if anyone has any ideas on how to do so.

[Greybird]

Obsequious statist sheep. "Give them the shirt off my back," indeed. I'll bet this flight attendant doesn't even want a Taser to "defend" himself.

I am no longer flying unless someone -- employer or relative -- is paying for me to do so. (The latter may apply when my now 104-year-old grandmother passes. I'll fly across the country if my aunts pay for it. Otherwise: "Hold the memorial for a few days, if you want this branch of the family there at all. We're taking Greyhound.")

On the other hand, I see an entrepreneurial niche: Kiosks near airports selling instant skin-bronzing solution, sleek sunglasses, and turbans. "Cut your boarding time by two-thirds!" says my sign. I can count the thousands of bucks now that'll roll in each day ...

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

Be a little careful about irritating these morons- one of our Professors from the University of Alaska (Judith Kleinfelter- whose husband is a Federal Judge) made a sarcastic remark to a screener, and was dragged off to a security room where a "supervisor" told her that he had the power to BAN HER FROM FLYING FOR LIFE!!!

When you live in Alaska, and travel often to the "lower 48", "not flying" is "not an option".

She was forced to apologize most humbly and beg forgiveness.

It seems that there are parts of this new law that are not widely understood by the public yet.

By the way, even before 9/11 I always felt that the imbecilic welfare-to-work type "security" screeners at SFO were the WORST in the country- talk about power trips! Now they are Federal employes, with the infamous butcher John McGaw as their Director. Unbelievable. Remind me- just why did I vote for Bush, anyway???

[VOA]

In late summer I will start traveling weekly again for a few months.

Travel guru Peter Greenburg (appears sometimes on NBC's Today show; has a radio shows
Saturdays on KABC in Los Angeles) says that when flying domestic, he sends his stuff
ahead by FedEX (doesn't check any baggage).
He says he won't do this when flying internationally.
(And Greenburg does get around, he does his radio show by remote about 80% of the time from
places like Egypt, Jordan, Alaska, etc.)

I don't know if that's a helpful tip for you.
More about my pre-9-11 hassles -- I had no checked baggage and only one
shoulder bag and maybe a plastic bag to carry extra magazines, etc.
I don't know, but maybe it was because I was traveling alone and so light...maybe
that sort of sets off some alarm bells, even subconsiously, for screeners.
I know it shouldn't be the looks as I'm no ringer for the ShoeBomber!

[Darth Sidious]

And where is the accountability, then? Bet when they become federalized, it'll be zero... if it isn't already.

[Wednesday's Child]

re:What had begun with confusion over a simple garment had become an issue of power.
It seems to me that Elliot did everything he could have done to make the security check go smooth. No change in his pockets, wearing slip-on shoes etc. It was totally unreasonable for this kid to tell him to remove his shirt because he thought it was a jacket. It was his mistake and instead of admitting it, he chose to make it into an ordeal. I would have questioned the "security kid" for an explination as well and would not have been as calm and polite as Elliot seems to have been.
Also, I have a friend who lives in Canada who came to the Newark Airport a few months ago. She is blond and blue-eyed. She was "wanded" and her bags were thoroughly inspected at the beginning of her trip. So, she figured she was just a random inspection. When she was leaving to fly home, she was again singled out, had her bags inspected, had to take her shoes off (again) and was wanded again! If it happens once you gotta figure it's your unlucky day but twice? Her traveling companion was never even looked at. Makes you wonder just what criteria they have for singling out one passenger as opposed to another.

[Joe Hadenuf]

While all this goes on at our airports, millions upon millions of illegal aliens are flowing across our borders and into our country at will.

[Savage Beast]

I don't know either. It's kinda like India and Pakistan.

[Darth Sidious]

I'll add this:

If this kind of smarminess isn't more than what our Founding Fathers tolerated when they revolted against "the authorities", then I don't know what is... if you catch my drift.

People like this should be the first against the wall when the hammer comes down.

[Phantom Lord]

When I fly with my golf clubs, which is most of the time, my long drive drivers are too long to fit into those "hard side" travel cases for golf clubs. So i put those in a hard side case that is made for fishing poles.

On the side of this hard case, in giant letters is the word BAZOOKA. The brand that makes it. I bet next time airport security is gonna go bonkers when they see that. I think I am going to fed ex my clubs to Nevada when I fly there in October. Am driving to all my other tournaments this year since they are on the east coast. Nevada is too far to drive and a train or bus takes to long to get there.

[Phantom Lord]

Her traveling companion was never even looked at. Makes you wonder just what criteria they have for singling out one passenger as opposed to another.

Was her companion another female? If so, is your friend more attractive? It is well known that attractive and buxom females have been subjected to extensive searches. Especially stewardesses. Sorry, i mean "flight attendants". It got to the point that now, supposedly, only females can search and pat down females.

[Savage Beast]

I suppose this is about our frustration and outrage over the steady erosion of our personal liberty. We can't say this. We can't do that. I have to take off my shirt because of this little jerk.

I really noticed this when I lived in Marin County, California. I never could tell whether the "Liberals" there like having their personal liberty curtailed or what. I did notice that they love passing countless laws and regulations that fine-tune everything and then spend immeasurable time and energy trying to circumvent those same laws and regulations.

Stinson Beach is covered with "No Dogs Allowed" signs. I've never seen so many dogs in one place in my entire life.

To me it was a glimpse of "Liberal Hell", the magnificence and wonderfulness of California notwithstanding.

[Wednesday's Child]

Yes, her traveling companion was another female. I "suppose" my friend was "cuter" than the other woman. I guess that's the secret then........ to avoid being singled out, find someone prettier to travel with! Sheesh.

[buffyt]

My mother recently came for my youngest son's HS grad. She is tiny, under five feet tall, thin, petite, frail looking. White hair and pale white skin. She is healthy, but just so tiny and pale - not threatening looking in any way. Her bag was searched at Houston Hobby Airport and they ran the wand over her. She was cool with it. But even if she had knitting needles (she doesn't knit - has no needles) there is NO way such a frail person could overpower a steward or stewardess. Heck even if she had a gun you could over power her, no problem. I said out loud where the security people could hear me that this is not making anyone feel safer and that Hobby Airport is anal retentive! I was so emabarrassed to have my dear old mother treated like a suspect! She never even runs stop signs, usually....