Airline Insecurity -- a Symptom of a Worse Disease
Some weeks after terrorists turned several of our airliners into guided missiles, I flew -- and got to experience our greatly "improved" security. My experiences brought a lot of response from readers.
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Some stories from True show just how out of touch the people that supposedly watch out for the friendly skies are. So what does the government do about it? They take these underpaid, undertrained, bored operatives and make them federal employees. Giving idiots job security improves things ...how, again? (If you really think making security agents federal employees is a good idea, think about it while standing in line at the post office or at the Social Security Administration sometime.)
Anyway, the stories. These several examples of the false sense of security we all live with are from the 27 January 2002 issue:
Travel Trouble
Retired Marine Corps Gen. Joseph J. Foss, 86, arrived at the airport in Phoenix, Ariz., to fly to the east coast, but was stopped by airport security because he was carrying something the security screeners apparently deemed suspicious: a Congressional Medal of Honor. "I kept explaining that it was the highest medal you can receive from the military in this country, but nobody listened", Foss, the former governor of South Dakota, says. "They just didn't know what it was but they acted like I shouldn't be carrying it." He got it in 1943 from President Franklin Roosevelt after shooting down 26 enemy planes in the Pacific. "It states all that stuff on the back of the medal." So why was he carrying the medal? "I had it with me this time to show to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point." -- where he was going to make a speech. (Washington Times) ...Good move, boys -- that medal was for shooting down planes!
Doesn't This Make You Feel Safe?
US Airways pilot Elwood Menear, 46, trying to get through security so he could fly his airliner out of Philadelphia (Penn.) International Airport, was apparently frustrated at the delay as his luggage was searched. "Why are you worried about tweezers when I could crash the plane?" Menear allegedly asked the security screener. Menear was immediately arrested, and charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. "The pilot made some comments that the screeners thought were inappropriate," confirmed an FAA spokeswoman. (Philadelphia Inquirer, wire services) ...If insightful truth is a crime, we're all in big trouble.
Something Special in the Air II
U.S. Representative John Dingell, 75, flies a lot, but came under special scrutiny when he tried to fly home from Washington, D.C., to Michigan, since he was wearing a knee brace, has surgically implanted pins in his ankles, and a metal hip. Security screeners forced the congressman to remove his shoes, socks, knee brace, and pants, and ran a metal detector over his boxer shorts. "I complied, but tried to do it with some small bit of dignity," he said. He never told the screener he was a congressman because "I don't want any special treatment." (Washington Post) ...Good. Politicians need to know what people are going through every day.
However, "security" (as the feds define it) has certainly increased. Contrast those stories (and similar stories that you've no doubt heard) to pre-9/11 security. From True's 26 January 1997 issue:
Can You Identify Yourself?
Colorado governor Roy Romer realized on a business trip to California that he had left his wallet in his limousine. With no cash and no identification, he decided to walk slowly down the aisle of the airplane in hopes someone would recognize him. When at last someone did, he asked if he could borrow some money. The passenger loaned him $45. Later, the ticket agent in Los Angeles wouldn't let Romer board the flight back home since he had no ID. Romer solved that problem, too: he pulled a copy of the Denver Post from his briefcase and pointed to three pictures on the front page. "Hey, see that? That's me. There, there, there. My name's Romer. There! That's my ID," he told the agent. He was allowed to board the plane. (UPI) ...Sure: anything to get rid of him.
Most Recent 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.