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Passenger group urges caution in securing trains
A requirement should be that be that any security measure involving passengers first be implemented on Washington’s Metro and VRE for an extended period of time before being used anywhere else.
TSA diaper-gazers and Granny-gropers, just what we need hampering rail travel in the USA. ONE, just one U.S. Air Force NCO and a couple others hampered more terrorist attacks than the entire TSA has.
I share the sentiments expressed by NARP. I think DC would be a good “beta” test site for enhanced security requirements. Irony aside, what city is more at risk to terrorist attack than our capital? I share Mr. Scott’s disdain for the TSA but must acknowledge that they might have stopped or prevented attacks that we don’t know about. However, I have nor flown commercial since before 9/11 in part because I refuse to play the game TSA imposes on us. My appreciation & respect goes to the brave young men on that French train who “took matters into their own hands”.
The TSA would catch more terrorists by stopping, and inspecting, ALL black limos and Suburbans in DC.
If the TSA’s idea for ‘improving’ security on trains is to make using them more of a hassle, I will probably respond by driving more and using transit less. The likelihood of a terrorist attack at a particular time and place is remote, but security hassles are getting ever more prevalent - and do they REALLY think harassing rail enthusiasts will improve matters? At a time like this they should be wanting more eyes ‘watching the property,’ not fewer.
Aircraft are probably the only form of passenger transportation that can be protected by inspecting every individual before boarding. Once they take off they are safe, only a missile can bring them down. In comparison, trains running on the ground can easily be attacked along the right of way. Why bother inspecting the passengers unless you are going to guard the full length of the right of way?
In reality, trying to secure ground transportation systems is unrealistic in a free country. The cost of protecting the infrastructure will do more economic damage than a terrorist could ever hope to achieve. Identifying the people and organizations that might plan to conduct terrorist operations is a much more effective strategy.
NARP is right. In any case, it’s all theater, and in my view there are serious constitutional issues (as in violations of the Bill of Rights, specifically the Ninth Amendment coupled with the natural right to free passage) in enforcing the No Fly list in a way that prevents long distance travel altogether.
We need an end to the theater.
Roger Keay speaks to the economic damage that TSA type boarding security would inflict if it were applied to trains and other rail transit. I think Osama BinLaden may still be chuckling whereever he lays over the amount of money the post 9/11 security measures have cost the USA.
No one seems to see what is so obvious - airplanes and trains are very different. Planes can be taken over and used as a weapon of mass destruction (as in 9-11) or a single bomb has the potential to bring down an entire plane with hundreds of passengers. Neither is the case with a train. Yes, there can be a mass shooting on a train, just like any other public space, but no terrorist can make a train leave the rails and destroy a skyscraper. Likewise, a bomb would kill those in the immediate vicinity on the train (as it did in the Boston Marathon bombing), but the remaining passengers would be safe - just delayed a bit.
Given the absolute impossibility of making every public place safe, I sincerely hope that reason prevails and security is not increased for rail travel.
‘Tony’, Me thinks the REAL question you seem to bring to mind is : what is the value of a human life ? Is one or two lives worth saving from being murdered or a dozen or more, one hundred, a couple hundred ? Just who of us has the right to " draw that line " ? I know for sure that I don’t !!!
It may be an " impossibility ", but we MUST make the effort, and I believe that an acceptable amount of "reason " will prevail !!
My comment only intended to suggest that the security level for trains be the same as for other similar public places. If there had been metal detectors at the theater in Aurora, Colorado that massacre could have been prevented; but no one has suggested that all movie theaters must now have metal detectors and armed guards. I agree that any loss of innocent life is tragic, but there are limits as to what can be done to prevent every tragedy.
I appreciate you clarifying your comment, and I have to admit that we’re pretty much in total agreement.
Thank You !! ’ Tony ’ sincerely !!
Keep the TSA jerks far away from trains! They’re the reason I refuse to fly anymore. I love Amtrak but if they let the TSA in, I’ll just quit traveling.
If you choose to live in a ’ glass bubble ’ that’s your right and privilege, but you sound quite ’ whimpy ’ to me.
Remember, the TSA people are on our side. They’re the ’ good guys ’ not the enemy !!