New personal low for airport security

Me, myself and I | 6/24/02 | 2banana

[2banana]

I was traveling by air last week and I believe a new low (or high depending on how you look at it) was set by the people running airport security. Not only did I have to take off my shoes, get wanded and patted down - the airport security guard went through my wallet! He looked at/through my cash, credit cards and family pictures. Everything was returned to me but traveling by air is pissing me off. Maybe I need to have two wallets - one for everyday use and a striped down version for the airport.

[First_Salute]

Socialists love this kind of C.R.A.P.

[coloradan]

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated ...

Aha!! Didn't say wallets!!

[Fred Mertz]

At least they didn't do a cavity search on you. That might be what happens next time.

[Windsong]

Just be glad your not a college student. The Socialists in the Dept of Education will in just a few years want to know when a student goes to the restroom. Privacy? They never heard of it.

[goldstategop]

Next they'll be asking us who you slept with last night. You know your mate might just be a potential terrorist...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Everything was returned to me but traveling by air is pissing me off.

The last time I flew, the anti-terror automatons succeeded in permanently separating me from my keys, which REALLY pissed me off.

I feel so safe knowing that the same slugs who used to collect welfare before it was "reformed" are now authorized to perform body-cavity searches on me every time I fly.

Which will be as seldom as possible, needless to say.

[freeeee]

Patronizing their business only encourages them.

Stop flying.

[Fixit]

If you must fly, be sure to bring the bill or rights along with you next time. (Covered in my blog a few days ago.)

I suggest the Security Edition.

---

What is the "Security Edition"?

The First Ten Amendments to the constitution of the United States printed on sturdy, pocket-sized, pieces of metal.

The next time you travel by air, take the Security Edition of the Bill of Rights along with you. When asked to empty your pockets, proudly toss the Bill of Rights in the plastic bin.

You need to get used to offering up the bill of rights for inspection and government workers need to get used to deciding if you'll be allowed to keep the Bill of Rights with you when you travel.

[Mike K]

Last week in Philly, I put my carry on, then my laptop, then my brief case on the belt. At the other end, my carry on, brief case and another guy's bag come out. Then a woman's bag comes out.
Where's my laptop? It finally comes out in the middle of the belt just like I put it on.
"What's going on inside that machine, how did my bag go in first and come out after 2 other bags", I ask?
"I don't know sir, I just look at the screen."
"Well, didn't you see those other bags jump over mine?"
"No sir, I didn't."
Hmmmmm.

[morjon]

I've already decided I'll not fly again...ear plugs, lots of cologne, a good book and Grey Hound I guess. I'm not in a hurry anyway.

[cynicom]

2....

Have your papers ready for the next roadblock, coming to a place near you. Brought to you by our new office of "Home Security". Next on the list.

[doug from upland]

Were you wearing a towel on your head?

Meanwhile, without checks on the perimeter, a vehicle that is capable of carrying hundreds of pounds of explosives can drive right up to the terminal. And, as a FReeper just informed me, he has seen food service people not go through machines and get in their trucks to deliver food to the planes. Who knows what they could sneak aboard?

[Wurlitzer]

The only chance in hell of stopping this is for as many people as possible to STOP FLYING. Since 9/11 I have managed to only fly once and had my laptop bag searched 6 times on the first 2 legs of the trip. I made up my mind right then and there to drive whenever possible.

You would be surprised at the number of trips that driving actually took the same amount of time and certainly it was less of a hassle.

I tried the 4th amendment argument with the sub-human, English as a second language type at the Pittsburg airport but it was like speaking to a recording. "If you want to get on the flight you must be searched". If I was not going to a meeting with my boss, I would have said fine, get my bags off the plane and watched them scramble to get them off before the plane left the gate.

As long as we keep going to the airport, the JBTs will continue to harrass us. How does it feel to be treated like a criminal in your own country? I cannot say what I would like to see done with these people without violating FR policy.

[Darth Sidious]

One of these days, these "security" idiots are going to push some poor guy too far. And they're gonna wind up dead as a result.

I'll shed nary a tear for them.

[Raymond Hendrix]

I have a "security" edition engraved on the barrell of a 38. I wonder if that will make it through security???

Seriously though I avoid flying now. It is too much hassel. I think they should allow all passengers to carry weapons on board and let the best man win during a highjacking.

[zx2dragon]

I fly in and out of the RDU (NC) and Orlando (FL) airports and haven't had any problems. The worst thing was when the changes were first implemented and I stood in the security line for 75 minutes.

However, I do not agree with the heavy handed tactics and the foolishness of their "non-profiling".

I actually had to go through more the week before Sept 11th at the Philly airport when they took me aside to check out the laptop and cellphone.

[Raymond Hendrix]

Security of food service people and plane cleaners etc. is a joke. They don't pay much and the jobs attract the same type of people who don't like to come to work on time and despise authority. I know, I worked in that industry for a while. I loved the kids that worked for me but they did not have the slightest concept of what security or responsibility means. There is simply too much activity at an airport on the service end to monitor all of it.

[LibertyGirl77]

The exact same thing happened to me when I flew through Grand Rapids, Michigan last week. They also went through my toiletries, opening compacts, jars and bottles. I was pissed, but extremely thankful and relieved that I had packed my girlie underpants in my checked baggage, since a crowd had gathered to watch them search my stuff (I kid you not--people actually came over to watch--it was embarrasing).

[OldPossum]

My conclusion exactly.