Don't Tread on Me!
Posted on 07/15/2002 11:09:22 AM PDT by hattend
Is That Flight Really Necessary? Time for America to send a message to the Airline Industry
By J.J. Johnson Published 07. 15. 02 at 2:37 Sierra Time
Both on television and on the Internet, I often preach: "you will get the kind of government you deserve". There is no better example than the current nightmares taking place at air terminals across the country. Everyday there seems to be another horror story, another mishap, another airport evacuation. Many fellow air travelers will agree that this matter has gotten out of hand, and the worst part is: we pay for it. But this is one case of dysfunctional government policy, more than any other, where we can vote with our feet.
It was Michelle Malkin's report of yet another fiasco of airport insecurity that motivated this article, and led to the conclusion that we air traveling folks should not take anymore of this. As many columnists (including myself) have written their own versions of airport insanity, I must first qualify this article with the story of my last air flight.
In early June, I could have driven the 7 hours to Reno to cover a stolen cattle auction, but chose to fly to save time. Yes, a business trip. It happened to be the same time my wife was to take another business trip to Chicago.
Here's a little trick many of us business travelers have learned: If you can avoid checking in baggage, you can save upwards of 2 hours between both ends of your trip. Thus, you pack, shove - cram everything you can get into two bags. In my case, one laptop computer bag, and a small suitcase. Keep this in mind. You'll see it again later.
While waiting to board the flight from Las Vegas, a discussion started between myself and another black gentleman, also a business traveler. Let me explain something to a wide audience from this black conservative: RACIAL PROFILING SUCKS. That was part of our conversation. Yet both agreed to give these folks the benefit of the doubt (not make it an issue) because a) we both needed to get to Reno b) white folks have to deal with it as well and c) they just want everyone to be safe.
It just so happened that BOTH OF US were pulled out of line while boarding our flights and given that random search.
We didn't make an issue out of it. Of course, you gotta watch those big black guys who wear cowboys hats, and one who works in the security business. Then again, Saudi Arabia is an ally of the United States. Go figure.
The last straw was on the way back. Southwest, being one of the 'human cargo' type airlines (no reserve seating), if you want a good seat the rule is, get there early. No, I usually don't care about a window seat. In fact, my 'Todd Beamer/Air Marshal of One" mode leads me to prefer an aisle seat in the event Homeboy Jihad wants to play rough. But since I'm taller than most, I aim for an emergency exit seat for more leg room.
It starts with the security screeners en route to the gate at the Reno Airport - 2 hours before my return flight. I assume they were either training a bunch of newbees, or security had been ramped up for some reason. Fine. Take the laptop out of the bag, and run everything through so folks sneak a peak of what's inside. For some reason, my computer bag was taken off the belt and moved to the floor; awaiting a gloved agent for that special search.
So I waited.
And waited.
After 7 minutes (yes, I counted), I shouted out, "HEY, IS ANYONE GOING TO CHECK MY BAG SO I CAN LEAVE??"
That got someone's attention. Of course, if there had been some kind of bomb in that bag, it had 7 minutes to be detonated and kill at least 100 people that were standing in security line. See how 'enhanced security' can make folks MORE vulnerable?
It slowed me down, but I still got to the gate in enough time to get a good seat. Got that boarding pass, took a seat and waited to board. When the boarding started, here's where I could have wound up in jail it if weren't for a severe case of tongue-biting:
Again, I was pulled out of line. But this was a full flight. It took so long to do the belt, the hat, the shoes (you air travelers know the drill), that I was the LAST person to get on the flight. But being a full flight, once on board, I'm told by a happy flight attendant there was no more overhead room for baggage, and my two bags, tightly packed to AVOID going through that gawd awful baggage carousel, now had to be checked.
Oh, and get this: there WAS overhead room, but they just didn't see it until after my bags were checked.
While being checked, I made sure when I gave them my ID that it included my 'rapid rewards card'. That's where I began thinking that this was my last flight. Here's why. Right from that gate, they could have taken my identification and that rapid rewards card and run a quick database search which would have told them than I have been flying this same airline regularly for at least 5 years, with all round trip flights - ALL OF THEM - terminating in Las Vegas. In fact, this round trip was a rapids reward ticket - that they sent ME. See why I was biting my tongue? I sat across from another black man who was also yes - pulled out of line for that random search, and yes, he was another business traveler. I'll never forget what he told me once I was seated:
"You know what really pisses me off? That guy up front with a turban on his head wasn't even searched."
No, this wasn't a black thing. A white guy joined the conversation and noticed the same thing. During that one hour flight, the three of us had come to the conclusion that, regrettably, our business flying days were done. After all, every plane ticket now includes a big tax to pay for what millions of us are going through.
Oh by the way, in both searches those federalized screeners missed - no, I won't say what. But I can say that since 9-11, I've heard passengers joking on board the flight about the items screeners have missed. Just goes to show the federal government that many air travelers do realize we are on the front lines, and sorry - don't trust their safety to federal bureaucrats.
I remembered that story when I read that Marc Danselme, 62, a French national who lives in Washington, was arrested Tuesday after becoming belligerent while being screened, according to a police report.
After one of the screeners asked him to turn his belt over, Danselme became irate, dropped his pants and said, "Is this good enough?" Yeah, Marc - We can relate. Way to make a statement!
Calling for air travelers to engage in an official flying boycott would be pointless. I know there are many times when you just HAVE to fly. Since September 11, we had an illness in the family that forced my wife to take a cross country flight from Vegas to Baltimore. But since this "security", loss of dignity and lack of respect for the flying public will only get worse, with more federal employees OCCUPYING our airports, we can still fight back.
If you can boycott them, go for it. If not:
We can become royal pains in the rear to these people, to no end. If you've read the book 'Atlas Shrugged', by Ayn Rand, it's time to let the philosophy of 'John Galt' take effect. Here are just a few ideas:
1) If you get pulled out of line for one of those silly 'random screenings', make sure to show them your frequent flyer card. This is so those airline employees can see what one of their regular travelers are about to do. Then, as that wand goes off as it's waved around your body, take out one metallic item at a time. That's right - make EVERYONE ELSE wait. Let it take forever.
2) If you've checked bags underneath your airplane, and you've gone through that random search, if you're not in a hurry, tell them you've changed your mind, and would rather not take that flight. Make them have to go FIND your bags and pull them off the plane.
3) While waiting for your flight, don't buy ANYTHING from the concession stores. Purchase whatever you need before you get to the airport
4) Once on the plane, order NO drinks, NO movies - period.
5) Tell your boss you'll be glad to take that business trip, but they'll have to pay EXTRA if you fly. Tell them, 'sorry, too much stress'.
6) If you're flying cross-country, tell you're boss you'll need some extra time off this holiday season - since you'll be driving.
Now, there are some folks who are going to say, "why make everyone else miserable with your silly protest?" Answer: You're already miserable dealing with these people. You're paying for all this. You know how disgusting it is, but you don't dare say anything for fear of being arrested.
If you think it's acceptable to have your bags unpacked at random for no reason by ignorant security screeners, and pilots not even being allowed to defend themselves in an attempt to prevent your flight from being hijacked or destroyed, I'd suggest simply NOT FLYING. The federal government has already proven they can still get almost anything on board, and a stinger missile can blow you out of the sky, anyway. And Lord help you if you if that plane strays off course.
Upwards of over 100,000 federal employees are being hired to make you "feel safe". Grandma will get strip searched, folks will lose laptops, get delayed, dehumanized, humiliated, arrested for going to the restroom, evacuated from the airport over pet carriers, and in short, charged more money to be treated like a terrorist. And if folks shy away from flying for these reasons, the airline will just take our money out of the other pocket by begging for another Washington. D.C. bail out. Maybe the feds won't let the airline go broke, but the aiports themselves - that's another story.
More and more the reality is becoming self-evident: Federal Airport 'Security' is nothing more than a job security program for Federal employees - hundreds of thousands of them!
Since September 11 (and including that day), the passengers of the aircraft have repeatedly proven they have the mindset, the ability and the will to deal with ANYONE wanting to get nasty while in flight. Even in the LAX shooting, early reports stated that some air traveler in line first grabbed the shooter that gave the security personnel the time they needed. The pilots, and the flying public, have proven to be the BEST last line of defense against a terrorist, yet are treated as terrorists themselves. This includes people that have a DOCUMENTED RECORD of flying with certain airlines for years. They are continually harassed, while people who clearly MEET the profile of a would-be Jihad freak, are bypassed to avoid being 'insensitive'. C'mon business flyers! You've all seen this, and those plane tickets ain't cheap.
Don't get me wrong. I believe airline security is a serious business that should not be taken lightly. But it has become evident that the folks who pay for such security, and who provide virtually all of the real security, have been taken out of the equation. Our government has all but nationalized our airports and our airlines, and we are no safer than we were on September 10, 2001. Perhaps if a few airlines and airports are forced to close their doors, someone might get the message. As for me, I'll be driving. For the rest of you, start asking yourself: "Is this trip really necessary?"
Coming up next: Real American Airline Security
© 2002 SierraTimes.com (unless otherwise noted)
As I refuse to subject myself to these subhuman security nazis by driving instead of flying I thought my troubles were over. Well in spite of all the "in the name of security apologists on this site" staying away from airports is only part of the problem.
We drove our RV to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone over the 4th of July weekend. The JBTs had set up camp at Mt. Rushmore. We were told that if you could not take it on a plane you could not take it past security at Mt. Rushmore. Even nail files were not allowed.
Proving that anyone who works for the governments becomes a worthless piece of S%^&, they had a bomb sniffing dog come into the RV and he totally missed the legal fireworks we had.
How ironic to be celebrating the 4th of July at Mt. Rushmore and surrendering our 4th amendment rights.
PLEASE do not fly unless you must.
Even for longer trips, the cost of flying often isn't worthwhile because I would generally need to rent a car at the other end anyway. So why not bring one with me?
My general rule is as follows: For business, I drive anywhere I can reach within one long day (15-18 hours). For vacation, I will drive to any place that has a road going to it from my street.
You are 100% correct. I was thinking about the senior communist from SD while driving through the state.
The only reason for the security must have been to protect the other side of the mountain. On that side they have the butts of Clinton, Kennedy, Dashole, Gore.
Don't Tread on Me!
Don't know if you've ever driven from Las Vagas to Reno, but the speed limit should be 100+....there's nothing to see and it's mind-numbingly long and boring.
BTTT
Good rule! You and I may pass each other on the road some day! I have taken 14 business trips this year all over 400 miles and I have driven for every one. The airlines will have to work very hard to ever get me back on a plane.
I no longer think travelling farther away than that is worth it, whether by air OR car.
Good rule. The places my company sends me are generally well off the beaten path so any day spend traveling takes the whole day.
I will confirm that. We were there on the 3rd of July. Silly, isn't it?
Gee, what did those morons do with your motor home kitchen cutlery?
The phone call I made to him that evening was priceless.
"Yeah, it was a tough drive . . . Got here late for that 3:00 PM meeting . . . Yeah, coulda been a problem . . . What? . . . You told me I shouldn't have driven up here? . . . It's not a problem, Boss. You see, the meeting was postponed until tomorrow morning . . . Yeah, weather problems. Three representatives were here from the client, but nobody else made it . . . Mike and Jason are stuck in Boston, Frank and Jim managed to leave Boston but their flight got diverted to Philadelphia, Ann saw three snowflakes falling when she looked out her window this morning and never even left New Jersey . . ."
"Thanks, Boss -- I'm right on top of things. If those dumb bastards had hopped into 4x4s like me, they would have been here by now."
"Oh, and by the way -- the project manager for the client heard about my 8-hour ordeal and said we are the most dedicated consultants he's ever hired. Imagine that, Boss --- he said we are the most dedicated consultants . . ."
I've never had a problem since then.
LOL!
Shhhhhhhhhhh! Don't give them anymore bright ideas. The bomb sniffing was done while entering the parking lot. The nail file level search was done as we entered the actual viewing area. They had the metal detectors and they stopped a 2-3 year old and manually searched him because something set off the detectors. Well he may have had a diaper but nobody told the Gestapo to only look for diapers on the head not the butt.
Where are we going to find the type of people like the founding fathers? Who has the nerve and the patriotism to once again fight for our rights against government oppression?
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