This is where I express all of my opinions on current events and things that I like, hate, annoy me, and that should be different. The topics are posted in order of subject (the newest at the bottom) and the comments and responses are posted by date within each subject (oldest to newest). That way you can quickly see if there has been anything new added to each subject and still be able to read it in a sensible order. My original writing and my replies to other opinions is in white and responses I get from everyone else are in light blue. If you have anything you want to discuss here please email me at: therant@tinka.com
Newest Update: 10/19/01
Airline
Security
I am getting ready to go out of town next week on an airplane. I understand there are new security precautions in place. These precautions are designed to trick us into thinking that we are safe when we fly. We aren't and here's why:
There is no parking allowed at the curb in front of the terminal in order to prevent people from parking car bombs. You will get a ticket if you park in front of the terminal. Nothing bugs a terrorist more than getting a parking ticket.
You must arrive at the airport 2 hours early for security screening which includes confiscation of anything sharp like tweezers or manicure scissors. So now even the good guys have no weapons. I suppose if we really wanted to we could buy these items at the gift shop in the area between the security checkpoint and the plane.
You must demonstrate that cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices that you carry on board actually work and aren't bombs in disguise. But don't worry, if you want to bring a bomb on board, just put it in your checked luggage cuz no one bothers to open or screen the checked baggage.
You must show photo ID when checking in. Several of the terrorists who hijacked the planes on 9/11 had fake ID. Hell, I had a fake ID until I was 21. Not too tough to get a fake ID.
The National Guard is patrolling outside the terminals in their sexy fatigues and carrying their big scary guns. Too bad they are not BEHIND the terminals preventing people from sabotaging the planes. I guess it wouldn't much matter anyhow, their guns aren't loaded and they don't carry any ammunition.
Teams of security officials (in many cases these people are ex cons) will get on the plane and "sweep" it for bombs and weapons before letting any passengers on. Once again, no one is going under the plane or into the baggage area to do these sweeps.
While these precautions
are inconvenient I would tolerate them a lot more if they made any sense.
The fact that the checked baggage is not considered at all is the height
of denial. I don't normally advocate a lot of new laws placed on companies
but if the airlines are going to be this unconcerned with security, I guess
the government will have to step in and make these companies have more
security. Of course the government won't bother to make new laws about
security until a plane goes down because of a bomb in someone's checked
baggage. The airlines are complaining that no one is flying because
they are scared and the airlines are going to go out of business. They
say this precarious financial situation is why they cannot afford to screen
checked baggage (I wonder why we spent 15 billion dollars bailing them
out recently). Newsflash: if people felt safe, they would fly and the airlines
would not be in trouble. A good way to make people feel safe is to implement
REAL security precautions like screening checked baggage and posting ARMED
security agents in and around planes at all times when they are on the
ground.
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