[annie oakley]

I don't usually post my own material, but I thought this particular subject matter was worthy of a wider audience, so please forgive me.

[Restorer]

For some obscure reason, once you are picked out for intensive search on a given flight, you'll usually get the same treatment at each succeeding airport on that day.

[sirshackleton]

You didn't book your ticket under the name "Annie Oakley" did you? Because anyone who can shoot the ashes off Kaiser Wilhelms cigarette would no doubt get extra scrutiny at a security checkpoint :)

[Bahbah]

"passengers ...simply cannot rely on the government to protect them."
Interesting story and a point well made.

[Maximum Leader]

The curious thing is that once someone is tagged by the system, everyone traveling with that person is also tagged.

The Wall Street Journal had an article a few weeks ago about people with similiar last names to actual suspects on the watch list (not having the same first and last name or the same last name-- similiar names).

This poor 15 year old kid was stopped every time he flew for his wrestling tournaments, and his whole team got the same treatment because they were traveling together!

[garyb]

You may have come under scrutiny as you had booked one way.

Recently the my kids (11 and 12) had to fly to Florida on short notice for a Funeral. Booked the tickets on Tuesday and flew on Wednesday. All three of us got wanded and shoed.

[Drammach]

Glad to see your article, and hope more like you do the same.
We need documentation.

My question is; have you contacted TSA?
Have you indicated your observed (experienced) weaknesses of the security system & procedures?
Have you indicated conversely, the strengths of that system, if any?
Have you (or your friend) made any recommendations?

If so, has TSA responded?
Favorably, unfavorably, non-specific polito-speak?

I know a few changes have been made recently, (I think you can keep your fingernail clippers now) but are there any substantial changes being made?
My observation is similar to yours.
The scrutiny is focused on those that are obviously not a threat, for show, rather than the actual "possible" problems, for fear of charges of racism, profiling, etc., etc., .....
National and international airline security should be handled as a security matter, divorced from politics, but..
Well, I'm preaching to the choir, aren't I?

I, like you, will not fly (except in emergency) but rather, drive or take the train or bus.

God help us if we don't learn our lessons from the tragedy of 911, and restore the people's right to self defence.

[Just another Joe]

The TSA is a joke.
The only way that the airways will be safe is if, like you suggest, passengers with concealed carry, or just carry visibly, are allowed to carry on the plane.

[SoothingDave]

Have you considered the fact that you not only booked one way tickets, but that you also had luggage that tested positive for explosive residue?

It is a hassle, but these are exactly the conditions that they are trained to look out for. BTW, carrying a perfectly legal gun would be the perfect cover for explosive residue, hiding a bomb elsewhere in your luggage.

[The Other Harry]

Great article Annie. I quite enjoyed it!

[sandydipper]

Excuse me! - rely on the Government?? Me thinks NOT!

[Petruchio]

Good article!

Now you understand why I will not fly, period. Even for a death in the family. The funeral can wait for me to drive there. I am a citizen, not a serf, and I will be treated as such.