Follow-up article from "Terror in the Skies" journalist with updates...
Thank you for the ping, Tam.
If this is true, it's pretty clear that
conservative v liberal clashes must make terrorists very happy.
To them, All Americans are just one group:
TARGETS
When will America WAKE UP?!!!
Thanks for the ping, tamsey!
Recent personal experience:
On a June international flight, there was no extraordinary screening at Heathrow by British Airways. (All airlines need to adopt the screening methods of El Al)
While waiting, we did our own profiling. One 'person of interest' was noted reading material in Arabic. (Had there been 14, as on Jacobsen's flight, we would NOT have boarded or would have gotten off) When we were boarded and seated, the 'person of interest' guy was next to me.
We tried to discern characteristics like 'cleanshaven', but he was wearing a long sleeved shirt with a sport jacket. His face was hairless and there was no noticeable hair on his hands. His age exceeded that of the usual suspects..probably about 50. He had no unusual packages or baggage. We remained on alert the entire flight, although he appeared to be napping most of the time.
He made one trip to the lavatory and we saw no exchange with other passengers. When approaching Tampa, the attendant distributed forms for non-citizens and customs....he was quick to decline, saying "I am an American citizen". The attendant explained that he still needed the customs declaration form. This exchange indicated to me either inexperience in international travel or defensive behavior (maybe both).
The plane landed safely.
We chose a direct flight both ways to eliminate the extra security concerns. Transfer from a "secure area" to another "secure area" does not require additional screening. Unfortunately, a direct flight isn't always available.
A flight last week included unusual security checks. In Knoxville, TN, sweater, camera case, shoes were "wiped" to determine the presence of explosives. No additional check was done within the "secure area" in the transfer to the flight from Atlanta to Tampa.
Increased methods of screening and/or profiling will get no complaints from me. I look forward to seeing Jacobsen on Scarborough tonight. I suspect she agrees.