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I was profiled by Alaska Air
self | Kate in Palo Alto

Posted on 10/13/2001 3:15:48 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto

My hubby and I are in the process of moving to Tucson, and a few days ago I had occasion to call the airline (Alaska Air) to buy two one-way tickets from Tucson to Palo Alto. I was told to await my electronic ticket which would come via e-mail.

Time passed--no ticket. I called again. The operator read my e-mail address back to me so I know they had it. Once again I was assured that I would receive the e-ticket promptly.

No ticket.

Today, at the ungodly hour of 4:30 a.m. we checked in and were told that we had been chosen "randomly" for a thorough security search. We waited for quite a while and then watched them go through ALL our checked baggage. It was somewhat humiliating in the sense that I felt like a criminal though we had done nothing. Several others had been chosen. There wasn't even one who looked liked he/she might have been a member of the Al Quaidah.

After they let us go, we went to our gate where we had to finish the process by letting a security guy go through our carry-on stuff. They waved wands over us, and my hubby was patted down. We were led directly to the plane where a smiling attendant thanked us for our patience.

Patience? What a load of garbage. My hubby and I are convinced we were "chosen" because we bought one-way tickets and because our last names are different. We are also sure that I was profiled the moment I made the reservation--that's why they never sent me my electronic tickets.

Nobody is more interested in airline safety than I, but this is absurd. They refuse to profile the people who did the deed. How many planes have been hijacked by a middle-aged white couple? How many hijackers would be stupid enough to buy a one-way ticket now? The airline people run artound like chickens with their heads cut off--all in the name of greater security.

I remain furious.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Your Opinion/Questions
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1 posted on 10/13/2001 3:15:48 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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To: Kate in Palo Alto
Get over it.....
2 posted on 10/13/2001 3:17:39 PM PDT by ARA
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To: Kate in Palo Alto
Why on earth are you flying on an airline which refuses to allow you to defend yourself?

I for one will never board another aircraft owned by a company which refuses me the means for my own self defense.

L

3 posted on 10/13/2001 3:17:42 PM PDT by Lurker
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To: Lurker
Well, sometimes you have to get from here to there.
4 posted on 10/13/2001 3:19:25 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: Kate in Palo Alto
My brother had the same experience. He's 6-2 and blond. He was flying round trip out of Cleveland. No arabic surname, no middle eastern appearance, nothing odd about him at all. He just fell victim to the blind luck of the draw and they searched all his bags.

He didn't seem to mind though...

6 posted on 10/13/2001 3:20:18 PM PDT by Skip Ripley
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To: Kate in Palo Alto
I still say if they would just arm the crew and allow selected passengers (those with CCW's and perhaps LEO's) to carry sidearms with fragmenting ammunitions, air travel would immediately become safer and they could dispense with all this other nonsense.
7 posted on 10/13/2001 3:21:25 PM PDT by LJLucido
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To: Kate in Palo Alto
Practical advice: Never, never purchase an electronic ticket. Your right to be placed on another flight are waived. Paper tickets only. BTW, profiling is good.
8 posted on 10/13/2001 3:22:09 PM PDT by Havisham
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To: Kate in Palo Alto
Try driving.

L

9 posted on 10/13/2001 3:22:25 PM PDT by Lurker
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Comment #10 Removed by Moderator

To: Skip Ripley
At least in our case I don't think it was chance. I think that because several terrorists bought one-way tickets, now everyone who buys one-way tickets is a potential criminal. My point is that the arlines aren't using any sense. Arm the pilots and we're all fine. Shoving people around isn't effective.
11 posted on 10/13/2001 3:22:53 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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To: Kate in Palo Alto
How do you receive an "e-ticket" by email? I've flown dozens of times with an e-ticket, and every single time I never received a ticket in advance. The "e-ticket" was issued at the time of departure at the airport ticket counter or at the departure gate. I never received anything in advance.
12 posted on 10/13/2001 3:23:44 PM PDT by Log
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To: Lurker
I for one will never board another aircraft owned by a company which refuses me the means for my own self defense.

That is your choice. Just as it would be your choice to deny me access to your house if you didn't want me bearing arms.

13 posted on 10/13/2001 3:23:53 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse
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To: Havisham
Yes, profiling is good. Deciding that people who buy one-way tickets are dangerous is silly.
14 posted on 10/13/2001 3:24:19 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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To: amundsen
I agree completely that what they are passing off as security is just for show.
15 posted on 10/13/2001 3:25:32 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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To: Lurker
..but before you go on an offensive, please note that I am completely devoted to the right to bear arms. As well as a proponent of the idea of private property.
16 posted on 10/13/2001 3:25:48 PM PDT by He Rides A White Horse
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To: Log
Well, a few times I have simply asked to have them send my ticket via e-mail. It always worked nicely before.
17 posted on 10/13/2001 3:26:42 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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To: Log
Very simple. Your ticket is issued and mailed to you; you check in at counter and receive boarding pass. What is mailed to you includes schedules, fl numbers, everything except boarding passes.
18 posted on 10/13/2001 3:27:21 PM PDT by katze
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Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: WileyCoyote22
I rather doubt that this will happen. The way the airlines are fighting this reminds me that generals always fight the last battle. Terrorists aren't going to dip twice into the same bag.
20 posted on 10/13/2001 3:28:52 PM PDT by Kate in Palo Alto
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