Who is the Terrorist? (The horror that air travel in the U.S. is becoming)

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ^ | July 1, 2003 | Mike Masterson

[NittanyLion]

more correctly, Bush 'caved' in a compromise with the Dems to force the security agents to be govt employees. result: overstaffed bureaucracy, main mission: make flying more annoying. i was quite miffed when this happened, it was a big mistake.

Most correctly, a GOP House passed it, and a GOP White House signed it. The Republican Party is to blame for federalized screeners.

[hopespringseternal]

Do tell how you could discern their religion by their appearance.

It isn't just religion, but yes, all three look like the stereotypical Muslim.

[Hinoki Cypress]

Reason #3557 why I don't fly anymore.

[chiefqc]

Our goverment has created another bunch of mindless, moronic, ego driven little tin gods.

[colorado tanker]

I got the "extra" screening a few months ago as we were boarding for a family vacation. I guess to the TSA brain trust I looked like the terrorist who would take a wife and four kids down with him. Made the plane just fine, but one of those yahoos gave me the nastiest cold I've had in years.

[Daus]

Just had to share this one...

I was flying through Cincinatti a few months back and the woman two places in front of me in the line to go through security apparently had 1 too many carry on items. The TSA guard at the initial 'show me your ticket and ID' stand could NOT abide by this and told her she couldn't proceed with that many items.

She protested and generally looked panicked, the solution that the TSA agent came up with is that she should give her drafting tube to the complete stranger who was behind her in line (who didn't have any carry on's and would not violate the limit), and that she should carry it through security and give it back to her at the end.

As I watched, stunned, they actually agreed to this and moved on. Somewhere down deep I was hoping for the drafting tube to be filled with either cocaine or pastic explosives, just to see that second woman try and talk herself out of that one... :)

[takenoprisoner]

My 82 year mother in law in a wheel chair was scrutinized beyond reason at Houston. She told me she was touched (by a female) places "no one should be allowed to touch." From her point of view, she was molested.

Terrorists win when freedoms are forfeited. Terrorists win when our grandmothers are molested at our airports in the holy name of "national (in)security" courtesy of the TSA...

[two23]

Even though they didn't set of the alarm, security took her and the baby aside for body searches during which hey made her remove the baby's diaper.

I came into the room late for the Fox news item but it sounded like they were saying the diaper searches have already started or are going to shortly. Airport screener jobs may attract some very sick individuals. When my daughter was about 2 (18 years ago), we took her to a local fair where they had kiddie rides, as we stood in line, I noticed the carnival worker that was loading the kids on the rides was touching all their behinds...we stepped out of line and LEFT the fairgrounds. Haven't gone to one since. Personally, I would not be able to justify any reason to subject my diapered infant to a strip search by anyone. And I hope parents will consider how much they are willing to subject themselves and families to for the sake of transportation.

[MineralMan]

Go here:

http://www.geocities.com/khlim777_my/ashijack.htm

Scroll down the page for a list of airplane hijackings since 1970. There aren't many.

Incidentally, this hijacking, in 1987, was the most recent hijacking prior to the 9/11 hijacking. Hijackings are really, really rare.

[quidnunc]

Hopespringseternal wrote: (Do tell how you could discern their religion by their appearance.) It isn't just religion, but yes, all three look like the stereotypical Muslim.

You will remember that Richard Reid (the shoebomber) set off alarm bells with security in Paris where his flight originated.

They took him off his originally-scheduled flight for investigation and put him up in a hotel for a night before allowing his to depart on a flight the next day.

[eno_]

I got a better idea: bankrupt the airlines and start over. I expect anyone that gets funding to start an airline will have to have some kind of plan to make security convenient ane respectful for those of that are not a source of risk.

[CedarDave]

2. Put all valuables, like Camera, GPS, and the batteries in your checked bag.

See MineralMan's post above. It's like everything else in life -- a crap shoot. Your odds of having something taken from checked baggage may be about the same as winning on a one-armed bandit in Vegas. But your odds of getting scrutinized at the gate increase enormously if you engage in any banter or make jokes with the inspectors. Too bad driving such long distances for my travel (Idaho to Texas) is impractical.

[Calvin Locke]

Some 1980s stories: A 3/4" or so blunt probe (inductive amplifier) was considered dangerous. Fortunately, it was
screwed on, and could easily be removed.

A CSR told me some guy tried to bring a used chain saw on as carry on. The would-be passenger couldn't understand either
the mace potential, or the dangers of gasoline/oil fumes.

[johnb838]

I wont be flying again probably for a very long time. Say good by to my money

I haven't talked about this in a while, but I think that given the security situation in this country it is probably best if those who don't really really need to fly stay out of the way at the airport. Of course the govt and airlines would never say that, they want people with money moving through. But their behavior discourages people, and in some ways I think that might be a good thing. That said, I agree with the people on here that you can smooth your way by being prepared, being courteous, not volunteering information, and not carrying a lot of stuff. I flew last a little over a year ago (international) and had no problem at all. The only person I saw getting shook down was a mohammed type. Then when I got to London the customs agent was a covered muslim woman, which was interesting.

[Malsua]

>>Your odds of having something taken from checked baggage <<

I apologize, I corrected my mistake but it hit 51+ so got seperated. I meant, carry all the really important stuff in your carry on.

[Pentagram]

Wow. I knew it was bad, but I had no idea.

[quidnunc]

It's not the hijacking that is the worry now; it's the blowing out of the sky with concealed explosives.

A hijacker who tried to take over a plane these days would be lucky to escape with his life after the rest of the passengers got through with him.

[eno_]

I have in my hand a camera phone in which the camera is smaller than the diameter of a bic pen, and it is located inconspicuously in the hinge of the flip.

I expect pictures of TSA abuses to start showing up on Web sites. I hop ethis one makes it to the sex offender registry

[Noachian]

I do the same myself. No hassle, no fuss, no bother.

Some people like the rules and regulations made up by the nanny state to supposedly keep them safe - I never did.

I look at those people from a positive point of view: as long as they're on a plane there's less traffic on the roads.

[MineralMan]

"It's not the hijacking that is the worry now; it's the blowing out of the sky with concealed explosives.

A hijacker who tried to take over a plane these days would be lucky to escape with his life after the rest of the passengers got through with him."

Not to mention the reinforced cockpit doors. But you're right. That's why things like prosthetic legs get checked. to reduce weight, they're generally hollow. A perfect spot for concealing things. Sure, that guy's mom-in-law is probably the salt of the earth, but she's a total stranger to the security screeners. I know some older women I wouldn't trust on a plane. One is schizophrenic and is constantly ranting about the evil government agents that are everywhere around her. She should not fly...she's a dangerous person.

Everyone's mother-in-law is a stranger to the security screeners. It's a big country, full of a lot of wierd, wierd folks.