The latest attack on TSA has me absolutely baffled.
There are a growing number of people that are not ok with the new screening methods TSA has employed. They consider them an invasion of privacy and potentially hazardous.
Ok, I get it…so you are ok with the pat downs as an alternative?
Well, no, they are not.
The same group is now screaming a pat down is also a violation of privacy and that they should not have to do those as well. Some people are claiming it is against their religious beliefs as well.
Excuse me? Religious beliefs?
I am pretty sure Jesus, Buddha, and Allah never had to go through airport screening, but what do I know?
These people feel they should not have to go through any screening but, basically, everyone else should.
You can’t have your cake and eat it to. This group will be the first to get upset if another plane goes down because someone brought something on board they were not suppose to.
Hey, flying is not a right. You can take the bus if you are not comfortable with the safety requirements to board a plane. Matter of fact, I kind of wish you would.
Are you really ok with the guy in line behind you wearing a robe, big jacket, or pajamas not going through any kind of security screening? How about we just sit that person next to you or your family on the plane?
Look, the rules have changed. If you don’t want to see Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, don’t go into a department store. If you are trying to find more time in your day, don’t get a Facebook account. And lastly, if you want to fly without any type of security screening, get your own plane.
We CAN NOT continue to cater to a bunch of whiners. We CAN NOT continue to be “politically correct” every time some individual feels their rights are being ruffled.
Don’t want to go through the scanner? You have three choices in my opinion.
- Lose a few pounds so you feel better about how you look
- Elect for the pat down
- Walk
Am I missing something here?
Fine, I suppose this is where you look for some witty insights to my mind. A "bio" of sorts. Here is the deal... I ride motorcycles, smoke cigars, golf, kayak, fly, race my car through the mountains, write (a lot), and travel extensively. I am almost old enough not to care what other people think about me...almost. ~Godfadr
Here’s a solution.
Everyone that doesn’t want the “rays” or “pats” can ride on a plane together. The rest of us that endured the necessary screening procedures can ride on another plane. We’ll get there safe AND have a pilot willing to fly us.
Hey I don’t like going to the ob/gyn every year (talk about an invasion of privacy) but I still go. Why? Because it is the safe and smart thing to do.
Probably the first time anyone has ever brought in an OB/GYN analogy to this site
I disagree. As usual our government resorts to overkill. We should copy the Israli system.and we should also employ profiling like the Iralis. Friends who travel to Israel are very complimentary about their system. Why subject 80 year old women, Nuns and 12 old girls to the humiliation of our current system.
A little common sense would be in order. Some folks are so afraid of life they are willing to subject themselves to intrusive government practices. I would happily fly on aircraft that are subject to the Israli practices.
I have flown millions of miles commercially during my career and experience a variety of close calls. It’s part of life and yes I know that was before the terrorist problem. But risk is risk regardless of circumstances.
Many people are under the impression that they do not check people and luggage in Israel like they do in the US; this is not the case.
The profiling methods that are used by Israel are IN ADDITION to traditional screenings (although not perfect). In 2002 a man apparently slipped through airport security at Ben Gurion Airport with a pocketknife and attempted to storm the cockpit of El Al Flight 581 en route from Tel Aviv to Istanbul, Turkey. He was stopped by their version of a Sky Marshall’s. Ben Gurion Airport (where the man boarded) was shut down temporarily to determine how he was able to slip the knife past security.
Although I feel there is some sort of middle ground, protection vs personal freedoms – I am amazed how anything (good or bad) can come to a screeching halt when people say the magic words, “it is against my religion.”
Yes, Israeli’s do check people, but with a wand not a pat down unless your profile indicates you are a risk. Full body serches are then employed.
In spite of the governments claim that the radiation given off by full body scans is not dangerous, ther are several doctors who disagree, Airline pilots are particularly at risk.
Just a thought –
The safest place on earth (as determined by several independent parties, including our government) is a casino.
When was the last time you had a pat down, or x-ray there?
They employ profilers, face recognition software, and several other non-intrusive security measures that create the safest rating possible.
IF safety is your goal – do what the best do. (however it was determined by the TSA that, that type of security did not make people “feel” safer at an airport.)
IF “feeling” safer is your goal – continue to support the TSA and their ridiculous waste of money and time initiatives that make you feel better. Please also remember that the airports have failed every test for safety. There is a 100% track record of when govt. has tested bringing in bombs and guns through TSA, 100% of the time they succeed. Awesome huh?!?!?!
It is NOT about safety – it is about creating a “sense” of safety. Which is why the TSA has admitted that the airports that have the new machines and pat downs are no safer or less safer than the airports that do not. Neither of them are safe. However I hope you “feel” safe.
Personally I agree I am tired of political correctness and emotion overriding FACTS.
Peace
I agree. But I do think that since the TSA employees will be granted more “access” to people’s bodies, they should probably be especially courteous and respectful of those bodies. Especially when dealing with young children and people with disabilities. I read an article about a guy whose urine bag was ruptured during a pat down because they were ignoring his requests to be careful around it. He left humiliated and covered in urine.
I agree Rachel. I think they are going way outside (or is that “inside) there boundaries. Also, I am not really sure that TSA has actually every stopped anything at the security checkpoint…well, maybe someone with some toenail clippers.
If TSA was a solution instead of a show, I don’t think anyone would mind. But these TSA agents are little more than minimum wage workers. Shit, if security were the point, bring in the military. They’re well trained professionals. Of course that would send the wrong message to passengers.
No, the mantra is never let a good crisis go to waste. This once great country has been so screwed, so bankrupted, run so deep into the ground by the powers that be that the only option they have these days is compliance. Divert attention. Oh, and use taxpayer money to pay your buddies for x-ray scanners.
If you’re interested, I made a few more notes here…
http://digressionanalysis.com/2010/11/24/airport-security-flying-the-stupid-skies/
Cheers,
Chuck
It is always a good idea in rough times to keep the masses occupied on something other than the task at hand…
You’ve the right idea, the hassle in the airport is like a thermometer, gauging the public’s willingness to put up with horse-shit. Lots of flights were made for many years, without security, or simple metal detectors alone. There’s no way a minimum wage worker is going to match wits with a criminal supermind. Who do they protect us against? Times change, Joe Average is getting a little edgy.
Nobody in first class seating enjoys sharing the plane with people so uneducated they don’t recognize a tailored suit or how special it can make a person feel. Pat ‘em down, make sure they’re docile, because according to the World Health Organization,
“In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide”
http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/index.html
Fly the friendly skies during the Happy Holidays, and don’t worry about about nutters blowing themselves up cuz in fact, people are less likely during this time of year.