Tanqueray:

Your flag pic is very appropriate. I was thinking the same thing while watching the Presidents speech last night. I just hope that this "awakens the sleeping giant".

 

You are correct that airport security is a joke. It seems that each X-Ray machine is run by people who wear uniforms that are either to big or to small. In addition none of them seem to care about anything other than their next break. I do a lot of warehouse design and implementation and over the last 17 years have put 3.5 million miles on AA and have always carried my 4" Buck knife and case cutter in my computer bag. Only once was I asked to pull the blade from my case cutter. The problem was that I always store three extras in the space in the handle. In listening to the "experts" last night I had to laugh at their theories on how the hijackers go the knives and box cutters on board. They just had to put them in their carry on bags.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mns2k
[B]You are correct that airport security is a joke.

 

Airport security is SO inconsistent. My wife has been stopped at the scanner in Mexico at least twice for carrying scissors. Shes a teacher and usually has scissors in her purse. These are maybe 4" long and have rounded ends. At the same time they let me on with a leatherman tool and folding knife in my carry on. In the past I have just handed the leatherman to the attendant and received it back on the other side of the scanner. On our last trip, they said I couldn't take "pliers"on the plane. Didn't even care about the knife blade. I guess they were afraid I would take the plane apart. So now I am back to leaving it in the carry on until I get past security. If they are going to delay us and put us through checks, I wish they would at least be effective.

 

extreme times call for extreme measures...i want an armed serviceman on the plane at all times...several of them in fact...protecting us...i tend to fly alot and i'm afraid to ever get on a plane...i'm not a racist or prejudice person by any means but i cannot see myself ever getting on a plane with anyone of any arab decent and it's a scary thought...these people have altered my way of life and i'm sure the lives of everyone else.

 

I know it is a burden, but what about not allowing carry-on bags at all? I suppose weapons could still be carried on their person, inside a jacket, etc, but I would hope that it might at least reduce the risk to some degree.

Whatever happened to the sky marshall program? I thought the airlines were flying undercover sky marshalls onboard planes who were armed and there to stop potential hijacks? Was that discontinued?

All I know is that if you were someone working flight check in or security at the x ray machines yesterday for those flights or at those airports you must feel pretty awful given the circumstances of what happened.

ABC replayed a special on how they were able to get access to plane's baggage and the plane itself through covert means at several airports, it was downright scary.

I'm still flying next week, but I can promise you that if my plane gets hijacked I am throwing open the emergency door and decompressing the plane, hopefully sucking a few terrorists out with it.

 

I say follow El Al's lead and have Uzi carrying guards. In addition, they have undercover agents who fly their transcontinental flights. If you notice, El Al has the BEST record to date with Quantas.

 

I feel for your attitude but am very dismayed by it......what's to say of the discontent and distrust of caucasians by African Americans, Japanese Americans, Chicnese Americans, etc. All these other types of Americans have been alienated by causasians; should they also seek refuge the way you propose yours in accordance with traveling with Arab decended Americans?

The other trouble is, how will you know who is an Arab decendent and who isn't? I for one may pass off as an Arab to un-knowing Americans, but I'm an American born Indian. I know of ten Arab Americans off hand who would pass off as caucasian....

How about we just watch out for all light skinned darked haired people and suspect them more than others......do you fall into the light-skinned, dark hair category, or are you safe because you have blond hair?

 

i've accidentally carried a 5 inch folding blade that i always have clipped to my belt through the metal detector. usually i hand it off to the guard and he gives it back to me.

 

During a BBC documentary program on airport operations which was recently shown on TLC, they demonstrated a security device which is capable of X-raying individuals for metal objects (and accurately identifying the objects) during a walk-through scan. However, because each system is very expensive to manufacture, none have yet been installed anywhere. Perhaps now, cost will be no object, and we'll soon be seeing them installed in all major airports.

The other things the authorities need to do to improve airport security are to add video recording cameras at the check-in counters, and to not allow any carry-on baggage unless it is a single piece which is either a briefcase, laptop, handbag, or normal carrier bag. I would also be more confident if they paid security personnel more in line with the responsibility that they are entrusted, rather than the lower end of the pay scale. Perhaps then, they would have a greater incentive to provide a decent security service than they apparently do now.