Ladies and Gentlemen, a big hand for Phoebe Snow.
Thank you…I’ll be here all night…Try the Veal…Be sure to tip your waitress
BTW: I don’t appreciate being called a “sheep” You talk about a cheap shot Phoebe Snow.
I do not see that at all as a personal attack. You must remember, laws are interpreted by our courts, like the decisions or not.
And as a court follower, the devil is always in the details. In other words, what may appear on face to be wrong, one must examine why a judge or court decided the way they did. What evidence, what outcome the parties wanted. And of course, what was left out.
That’s enough, guys. Everybody has a good point, so the personal attacks aren’t necessary. Opinions will also depend on experiences. Now as for the airport security, I wonder if it would be just as effective, if not cheaper, to just fly with armed guards hidden among the people instead of much of the hassle brought about with seemingly over-the-top security. Wouldn’t some basic screening equipment be enough without exposing people to potentially harmful radiation, plus the armed guards be better? I don’t know, but I believe so. As this topic regards transportation, all means of discussion of such modes, whether pro or con, is well-deserved. Feel free to continue the debate, just without the personal attacks.
Sir, you have about nailed my main complaint about air travel.
The other day, I watched a video about Emirate’s first and business class on the A380’s. How civilized, relaxed, and comfortable looking. Unfortunately, I will never be able to spare the $12,220 (RT to NYC to Dubai) to experience it myself. I guess I gotta deal with the sardine cans in the sky or purchase my own Challenger.
Marinara sauce with that? And let the waitress know the tip of the year, buy War Bonds!
As per Table 2-16B of the Department of Transportation Statistical Report, in 2007, latest figures, the TSA intercepted the following items at its screening checkpoints:
- 1,416 firearms
- 1,056,687 knives
- 11,908 box cutters
- 101,387 other cutting instruments
- 8,443 clubs
- 89,623 incendiaries
- 5,245,558 other prohibited items.
It is impossible to know what the folks with these items had in mind, but to claim that the TSA has not intercepted passengers who were carrying items that could have been used to take over a flight does not appear to be supported by the data.
Even if the TSA has inflated the number of items that it has intercepted, which is possible, it appears that they have been successful in keeping a lot of potential lethal items off of the airplanes. Since I fly a lot, I am happy to hear that they are on the job.
Earlier this month I flew from Austin to Baltimore. It took me approximately two minutes to clear security in Austin. Returning from Baltimore was a similar experience.
The cost of my roundtrip flight from Austin to Baltimore was $355. The flying time was approximately three hours. Had I taken the train, it would have cost me approximately $460 in coach, plus meals and libations in the lounge car. Had I sprung for a sleeper, the cost would have been $1,269. These fares are before the
Since the implementation of stricter airport security following 9/11, Southwest Airlines has changed its business model somewhat. It has increased its flights on intermediate to long distance routes and reduced its offerings on short haul flights, which was its bread and butter. According to several articles in the Texas business press the major reason has been airport security.
Before the imposition of the tighter security requirements in Austin, I frequently flew from Austin to Dallas. But with the implementation of the tighter airport security procedures, which require me to get to the airport much earlier, resulting in a significant wait time, it is more expedient for me to drive from my home in Georgetown to Dallas.
Amtrak is not a viable option in Texas, although I have taken the train on several occasions, because an infrequent schedule (one trains a day) as well as late running trains. If I take the train from Temple, which is the closest station to my home, and the train back to Temple is seriously lat
I’ve seen this show before. Can someone please change the channel?
TSA is a hassle and more about politics and patronage than actual security. However, declining passenger traffic is mainly due to the airlines themselves which is part of their plan. Higher passenger traffic was generated by cut rate fares and frequent flights that often left half empty. The airlines are just doing what it takes to turn a profit. I’m not saying I like it, just that I understand it.
Rail travel is really not a viable alternative for most people. It takes too long, doesn’t go where people want it to and costs too much. Driving is the only real alternative
What if you don’t drive or own a car?
There is always the Grey Dawg.
Now with 14% more grey…
True…Provided it serves your area… Greyhound has scaled back in many towns across the country, and in Canada as well.
Fred MacMurray would ride it…but he’s dead.
Since mid-morning of 9-11 it has not been possible for a small group to take over a flight using firearms, knives, box cutters or clubs. The fate of United flight 93 demonstrates that. Explosives/incendiares might be used to take down an individual flight but are not suitable to take one over and cause mass casualities on the ground.
Perhaps we should replace those TSA agents with bomb dogs?
The point was to refute the assertion that the TSA supposedly has not intercepted a terrorist or prevented people from carrying dangerous items on an airplane.
Cockpit doors have been hardened, so taking over the airplane directly without a way to break through the door would be difficult. On the other hand, if a nut case had a gun and threatened to shoot 10 passengers unless he was flown to a select destination, what would you do if you were the crew? Sacrifice the 10 passengers or fly to the gun person’s destination?
You guys are gonna have to learn to speak Federal Bureaucracy double speak.
- 1,416 firearms
- Every one of these was from people who had concealed hand gun permits, hunters taking their gun to check out instead of having them packed in the cargo hold, and law enforcement officers.
- TSA in Houston refused to allow a uniformed DPS Officer to have his sidearm, mace spray and gun belt while he was escorting a prisoner to another state on an extradition.
- 1,056,687 knives
- Yup, pen knives and pocket knives are still considered weapons, but the world is full of guys like me who have carried a pocket knife their entire life.
- Putting my pocket knife in my right hand pocket is as much a part of getting dressed in the mornings as putting on socks, you do it without even thinking.
- 11,908 box cutters
- Anyone out there work as a carpenter, store stocker, freight handler…see the above.
- 101,387 other cutting instruments
- Cuticle scissors, sewing scissors, fingernail cutters the TSA goes through every personal toiletry bag and fingernail kit and removes them, along with the fingernail files.,
- 8,443 clubs
- I will leave this alone, most guys wouldn’t understand, and the women here who have flown already know what the TSA considers “clubs”
- 89,623 incendiaries
- The TSA has the world’s largest collection of Zippo cigarette lighters, along with the world’s biggest collection of Bic and other disposable lighters. In some locations, they also confiscate the cigarettes, because they think it can be used as fuses for a bomb.
- 5,245,558 other prohibited items.
- Most of this is personal hygiene items, shampoo, conditioner, soap,
Thanks, Ed, for the voice of reason backed up by intelligence. Most refreshing.
[quote user=“edblysard”]
You guys are gonna have to learn to speak Federal Bureaucracy double speak.
- 1,416 firearms
- Every one of these was from people who had concealed hand gun permits, hunters taking their gun to check out instead of having them packed in the cargo hold, and law enforcement officers.
- TSA in Houston refused to allow a uniformed DPS Officer to have his sidearm, mace spray and gun belt while he was escorting a prisoner to another state on an extradition.
- 1,056,687 knives
- Yup, pen knives and pocket knives are still considered weapons, but the world is full of guys like me who have carried a pocket knife their entire life.
- Putting my pocket knife in my right hand pocket is as much a part of getting dressed in the mornings as putting on socks, you do it without even thinking.
- 11,908 box cutters
- Anyone out there work as a carpenter, store stocker, freight handler…see the above.
- 101,387 other cutting instruments
- Cuticle scissors, sewing scissors, fingernail cutters the TSA goes through every personal toiletry bag and fingernail kit and removes them, along with the fingernail files.,
- 8,443 clubs
- I will leave this alone, most guys wouldn’t understand, and the women here who have flown already know what the TSA considers “clubs”
- 89,623 incendiaries
- The TSA has the world’s largest collection of Zippo cigarette lighters, along with the world’s biggest collection of Bic and other disposable lighters. In some locations, they also confiscate the cigarettes, because they think it can be used as fuses for a bomb.
- 5,245,558 other prohibited items.
- Most of this is personal hygiene i
Given the time constraints for most folks traveling over the T-day period, train travel outside the NEC and some of the other shorter routes is a non-starter, whether you like TSA or not. Frankly, I fail to see what the big deal is. Except for peak times, the inconvenience and intrusion seem minor. Very few people are actually pulled out or frisked, and even then, no biggie. I agree with sam1: easy to pull out a few mostly uncorroborated anecdotes and condemn the whole system.