Airline Insecurity -- a Symptom of a Worse Disease - Comments
Posted by
Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 19, 2009:
These stories are funny. I have traveled around the world a few times. Since 9/11, I have seen many "interesting" things. A few weeks after 9/11 I was going through the security check point in Frankfurt, Germany and there was an American (of Arabian descent). The security took him off to the side and asked if it was his bag, he said yes... they pulled a hunting knife out of his bag. I didn't consider this person a threat, but bringing a hunting knife on a plane is just "plane" stupid.
A few years later (same airport) I was boarding a flight to the US, there was not one but two security checks. At the second check the took my nail clipper away because it had a nail file attached to it. I was not happy about it, but ok... whatever. While I was on the plane I looked 1 row back and to the left... there was a little old lady that had a scissors and knitting needles. So... If I understand this correctly, a nail clipper with a nail file is dangerous, but scissors and knitting needles are not?
Or was it the fact the I was wearing a suit and tie that made me look dangerous? I guess the next time I'll wear a flowered dress. I may look weird but apparently not dangerous.
I have offered many times to show up in a bathrobe and shower sandals to make their jobs easier. But this offer is very often politely refused.
Posted by
Tom - Chestertown Maryland on June 22, 2009:
There was a tremendous change in the perception of aircraft hijackings in the mind of the public that happened on 9-11 which the TSA, behind its Maginot Line of X-Ray machines, gas sniffers, and magnetometers, seems unaware.
Aircraft passengers now view a hijacking attempt as an immediate mortal threat, and will take action to counter that threat even at risk of their own lives.
The TSA can not strip me of weapons no matter how hard thy try: My shoelaces, my belt, my keys, telescoping luggage handles, (sporks) - items limited only by my imagination and desperation.
A terror attack can not happen again in the same way. It did not even work the forth time it was tried on that day.
Vigilance and intellegence are needed to anticipate and thwart the next terrorist attack, neither of which can be found by confiscating my nail clippers and my tweezers.
Airline Insecurity -- a Symptom of a Worse Disease - Comments
Posted by Stephen, Idstein Germany on April 19, 2009:
These stories are funny. I have traveled around the world a few times. Since 9/11, I have seen many "interesting" things. A few weeks after 9/11 I was going through the security check point in Frankfurt, Germany and there was an American (of Arabian descent). The security took him off to the side and asked if it was his bag, he said yes... they pulled a hunting knife out of his bag. I didn't consider this person a threat, but bringing a hunting knife on a plane is just "plane" stupid.
A few years later (same airport) I was boarding a flight to the US, there was not one but two security checks. At the second check the took my nail clipper away because it had a nail file attached to it. I was not happy about it, but ok... whatever. While I was on the plane I looked 1 row back and to the left... there was a little old lady that had a scissors and knitting needles. So... If I understand this correctly, a nail clipper with a nail file is dangerous, but scissors and knitting needles are not?
Or was it the fact the I was wearing a suit and tie that made me look dangerous? I guess the next time I'll wear a flowered dress. I may look weird but apparently not dangerous.
I have offered many times to show up in a bathrobe and shower sandals to make their jobs easier. But this offer is very often politely refused.
Posted by Tom - Chestertown Maryland on June 22, 2009:
There was a tremendous change in the perception of aircraft hijackings in the mind of the public that happened on 9-11 which the TSA, behind its Maginot Line of X-Ray machines, gas sniffers, and magnetometers, seems unaware.
Aircraft passengers now view a hijacking attempt as an immediate mortal threat, and will take action to counter that threat even at risk of their own lives.
The TSA can not strip me of weapons no matter how hard thy try: My shoelaces, my belt, my keys, telescoping luggage handles, (sporks) - items limited only by my imagination and desperation.
A terror attack can not happen again in the same way. It did not even work the forth time it was tried on that day.
Vigilance and intellegence are needed to anticipate and thwart the next terrorist attack, neither of which can be found by confiscating my nail clippers and my tweezers.
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