[JohnHuang2]

Wednesday, February 12, 2003

Quote of the Day by Mad_Tom_Rackham

[gridlock]

"(T)rusted traveler" I.D. To get one, you'd fill out an application – much like an application for a concealed weapon carry permit. Upon completion of an investigation, you'd be issued a tamper-proof "trusted traveler" I.D.

The gooberment does not do this sort of thing well. Once such a program is in place, it would immediately be subject to the whims of beauracracy and political correctness. You just know some judge would take only minutes to decide that it is grossly unfair and unConstitutional that little old ladies can get at Trusted Traveler ID, but twenty-year-old Saudi males new to the country and smelling vaguely of cordite can not.

Think Visa Express.

Visas are supposed to be issued through a rigorous screening process, are they not?

The greatest problem with any government-run investigation process is that it is only as effective as the government employee is diligent and honest. Do you really want some rubber-stamping government lifer making these decisions?

[snopercod]

Were it not for the airlines being pressed into service for the war, they would be bankrupt right now.

[doosee]

As expected, WW is right on the money. Since 9-11, I have made at least 20 round trips to Atlanta, all by car, to avoid the air hassle. Security has rifled through my wallet, spilling my credit cards all over the floor one time, along with snide and rude remarks from some arrogant guards. In Pittsburgh, one nasty female guard, after I had said Good Morning, and it was 12:15 PM, sneered at me, It's afternoon dodo. How is that for nice government service for the air traveler?

[wita]

As a former military pilot, I was forced by principle to join the ranks of the ground travelers, when the "safety proceedures" post 9-11 were seen by me to be anything but involving safety, mine or the airlines. Ability to post and comment on FR prohibits further explanations or solutions, other than to say the willing disarmament of airline workers and travelers is seen by me as a major disgrace, and sure sign that the takeover of the country by those whose vision is obscured by a plethora of trees, states the obvious.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Upon completion of an investigation, you'd be issued a tamper-proof "trusted traveler" I.D.

If anyone believes in "tamper-proof", I suspect they also believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. Achmed will have a "trusted traveler" I.D. faster than you can say "fake Green Card".

[x1stcav]

I've got over 2MM air miles under my belt and used to tae a plane as though it were a taxi. The idiotic security procedures invoked after 911, under the aegis of that leftist Demonrat Mineta (Sp?), finally drove me to start driving again. This is where I started in business 28 years ago. Last fall, I mad 6 segments in two days and got an extra bit of attention each security check. The final straw was at SeaTac where I had a real face down with the personnel there. Guess who lost?

That was it for me. I have now made a three week long, cross country trip. I find it to be a far more enjoyable experience and with some planning and ingenuity find that productivity isn't too badly impaired.

A side note: I spoke with a colleague yesterday who is attending a series of heavy equipment auctions in Florida. The buzz is how many people in our industry are buying motor homes/RV's for business travel. Same story - won't put up with the hassel of air travel.