Officials: Electronic devices may hide airline threat

CNN ^ | 8/5/03 | Jeanne Meserve

[Pro-Bush]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Homeland Security officials have told CNN that an advisory will be issued directing the aviation industry and all federal screeners and local authorities to pay particular attention to electronic items like remote key locks, and specific brands and models of cell phones, boom boxes and cameras.

[HiTech RedNeck]

One Homeland Security official said Monday that the new advisory should not discourage Americans from flying,

Oh no, it's just one more hassle. Seems like far more people shun flying from the hassle factor than they do from the fear factor.

[Pro-Bush]

Oh no, it's just one more hassle. Seems like far more people shun flying from the hassle factor than they do from the fear factor.

Damned if we do, and damned if we don't..

[HiTech RedNeck]

Our security energies would be vastly better channeled into arming the crews. There is already a nightmare of non-metal arms that can be smuggled past the metal detectors and X-rays, and now this.

[Pro-Bush]

Our security energies would be vastly better channeled into arming the crews. There is already a nightmare of non-metal arms that can be smuggled past the metal detectors and X-rays, and now this.

I agree, and how about profiling Muslims instead of making granny take off her buckle-strapped low-top shoes at the airport.

[Timesink]

Oh no, it's just one more hassle. Seems like far more people shun flying from the hassle factor than they do from the fear factor.

Spot on. My flight time has plummeted since 9/11, and it has nothing to do with worries about terrorism.

It's not just about the pre-boarding hassles, either, but also the drastically-reduced levels of service aboard the flights. First the government bothers you on the ground, then the flight attendants snarl at you once you're in the air.

Screw that, unless I've got a serious distance to travel. But then, I enjoy driving and seeing the country ... I know a lot of people don't.