Is That Flight Really Necessary? Time for America to send a message to the Airline Industry

Sierra Times ^ | 07. 15. 02 at 2:37 Sierra Time | J J Johnson

[hattend]

For Michelle Malkin's similar story go here:

[Stingray51]

I don't think the profiling is racial. It is stupider than that. My experience is that you will receive special search treatment if you use an e-ticket and don't check bags. One airline I took recently even marks "SSSSSSS" on your boarding pass which would enable you to turn around and go home or back to your Al Queda training camp or wherever.

[Wurlitzer]

Does the 4th amendment mean anything to anybody anymore?

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.

[hattend]

So, no tent stakes? Hatchets? Hammers? You can't take most any camping equipment into Mt. Rushmore Park? Well, That's another reason to avoid South Dakota (Daschle is the first)

[SoDak]

It used to be that I would fly if I had business anywhere more than 5 hours drive from where I live. Since these new circumstances, I've made that 10 hours.

[SoDak]

It's a nasty bad place, I'd advise no one visit.

[CJ Wolf]

And we should repeal the speedlimits to save traveltime/costs while we are at it.

[hattend]

I agree...BTTT

[Alberta's Child]

I rarely flew even before 9/11, mainly because airports are such a pain in the @ss and airlines are so unreliable that when I factor in all the extra time I would spend at an airport, I can generally drive anywhere within 6 hours of where I live faster than I can fly there.

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.

[Wurlitzer]

"Well, That's another reason to avoid South Dakota (Daschle is the first)"

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.

[Ace's Dad]

If I could be so bold as suggest something; maybe you should get a pilot's license, or look into fractional ownership of suitable aircraft.

Don't Tread on Me!

[hattend]

Yep, what's up with that 65 mph anyway? I could get 90 out of my Toyota 4X4 truck on the German autobahn. Never felt safer.

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

[Wurlitzer]

"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. "

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.

[Free the USA]

Index Bump

[crystalk]

I would have said 8 to 9 hours car better than flying even before 9/11.

I no longer think travelling farther away than that is worth it, whether by air OR car.

[Blood of Tyrants]

For business, I drive anywhere I can reach within one long day (15-18 hours).

Good rule. The places my company sends me are generally well off the beaten path so any day spend traveling takes the whole day.

[TankerKC]

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.

I will confirm that. We were there on the 3rd of July. Silly, isn't it?

[Henrietta]

Even nail files were not allowed.

Gee, what did those morons do with your motor home kitchen cutlery?

[Alberta's Child]

I learned my lesson when I had a meeting one afternoon in Rochester, NY and decided to drive there from New York City. Before I left my boss gave me a lot of grief for driving, and was irate when it turned out that I had to drive through a snowstorm that extended the 5-hour drive to 8+ hours.

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!

[Wurlitzer]

"Gee, what did those morons do with your motor home kitchen cutlery? "

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?