[Behind Liberal Lines]

I had to fly to Washington recently from upstate NY.

I got on the plane at home no problem.

We had to change flights at LaGuardia. We got off the plane, walked to out next gate and waited for the next flight.

Now, mind you I could only have gotten to our next gate by passing through the previous airport security, either in upstate or Laguardia.

When it was time to board the plane, they pulled me out of line. They asked me to open my brief case. Fair enough. Clipped onto the inside of my briefcase was my badge and ID. The ID says on, BTW, that I am authorized to pass through all local police, fire and security checkpoints. (And before you ask I didn't flash or reference either my badge or ID in an effort to get out of something).

The security guy keeps rifling through my briefcase. I'm not overly concerned. He has me empty my pockets. Okay I say. I even offer to remove my jacket because of its metal buttons.

He then runs the handheld metal detector wand over me. Nothing goes off. So I figure: well, that's that.

Wrongo.

Now the guy tells me to spread my arms and legs and FRISKS me.

Now I am getting seriously PO'd. However, I keep reminding myself that I am in an airport in New York City and better to remain calm.

Finally, he stops patting me down, tells me to close my brief case (which aint easy, given he has totally disorganized everything in it) and lets me on the plane.

I get on the plane and tell my wife "well, honey, enjoy the trip, because its the last time we are flying anywhere."

I am convinced that they pulled me precisely because I was the "waspiest" man in that line.

I didn't set off any of the metal detectors I had gone through previously, security I had my ticket and one form of government ID out, I had a badge and other government ID in my briefcase and I was traveling with my wife. Hardly the profile, racial or otherwise of a terrorist.

Furthermore, on the way back through, I noted other people getting pulled out and they were, you guessed it, middle aged and older white (usally Irish looking) business men wearing suits and ties.

Maybe they are expecting a big IRA strike next time?

Yeah, right.

[Phantom Lord]

My brother came down to NC for one of his several visits a year to see me and our parents.

He flies out of Binghamton to Pittsburgh and then on to Raleigh. His flight out of Binghamton had 7 passengers. Prior to boarding the plane at the gate the gate agent or some form of security said to the 7 people waiting to get on the plane "well, we have to search someone" and they selected my brother. He said the 'inspection' was rather lame and referred to it as 'going through the motions'.

[VOA]

Furthermore, on the way back through, I noted other people getting pulled out and
they were, you guessed it, middle aged and older white (usally Irish looking) business
men wearing suits and ties.

Just my gut feeling, but I think "reverse profiling" was already in effect before 9-11.

I am in your demographic as well. Even a few months before 9-11, I went on a couple of trips.
My carry-on bags (not always the same one) got the heavy-duty going over
EVERY TIME I went to get on the plane.

I haven't been on a plane since 9-11, partly due to the BS I was undergoing before 9-11;
partly from what I hear from friends being subjected to heightened level of BS.

I suspect that the only reason Dubya keeps Norm Mineta in office is that some day Dubya
will say "the only politically-correct nut in my Cabinet is a Democrat".

[VOA]

One more thing about my theory of "reverse profiling".
In the weeks following 9-11, I simply got angrier and angrier when I'd read about
the things The Talented Mr. Atta and his crew of butt-boys were able to get away
with that would have gotten me a quick push to a detention view to talk an
the airport police:
Buying tickets with cash
Buying one-way tickets
Having hardly any luggage
Arriving late for boarding, and using a "no speaka' da English" reply to
security questions...but being pushed onto the plane used to hit the WTC.

From a number of articles I've read here on freerepublic, Atta and his friends
should have been answering questions many times.
I'm sure that if I'd tried these tricks, I would have.

Oh, and I am still dumbfounded about how Atta and one co-conspirator simply ABANDONED
their small airplane on the flight line at the major airport in Miami a few months before
they carried off their mission.
Did authorities question them...NO, some airport workers towed the plane off
the line so others could take off...and they just said "Oh those silly foreign flight students".

What happened 9-11 was made possible by reverse profiling.

[Reactionary]

I think you're right. If you're a rather strong-looking white boy - as opposed to being a swarthy Middle Easterner with sunglasses on - they'll pull you out every time.

It's part of their quota system, I'm sure. (In FedSpeak that must mean that you're part of the only group that can be discriminated against with impunity.)

[buffyt]

You are right. It is reverse discrimination. Against Whites.

[Redcloak]

I am convinced that they pulled me precisely because I was the "waspiest" man in that line.

My experience since 9/11 has been totally the opposite, which is amazing when one considers that I do look like a middle-eastern terrorist!