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Today's Poll: Next time you travel by air, will you ...

By Howard B. Owens
Frank Soltiz

I wouldn't be so quick to use the scanner. I think the radiation exposure is going to become an issue. Personally, the farthest I HAVE to fly is to Raleigh, and that is a pain anyways. I'll just drive.

Nov 23, 2010, 2:49pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

TSA Officer: "Sir, scanner or pat down"

Tim Howe (gazing over at the pat down area and noticing attractive brunette giving pat down to elderly woman): "I'll take the pat down."

(Howe approaches pat down area as a TSA supervisor strolls over)

TSA Supervisor: "Tina, it's time for your break. Hey, Bubba, you're back on pat down duty. Start with this guy."

"Sir, it would be my pleasure."

Nov 23, 2010, 4:13pm Permalink
Timothy Hens

Probably just show up in my boxers wearing a Guy Fawkes mask with my clothes in my carry-on. They have benches where you can get dressed once you are through the screening.

If someone wanted to harm someone on that plane they could. They make the pilots go through the same screening as the passengers--does this make sense to anyone???? They don't need a weapon, they're locked in the cabin flying the damn plane. If they wanted to crash it or fly it into a building they could--all the screening, searching, patting and poking won't stop them. It's all just an illusion to make you feel safe so you will keep flying and spending your money.

Nice to see that the companies making the scanners doubled their lobbying efforts over the last few years though. At least the politicians made some money. The big politicians all fly on business jets anyway and don't have to put up with screening.

As we used to say in the Air Force--BOHICA

Nov 23, 2010, 4:23pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

this video is from Adam Savage of Mythbusters **warning** language alert, the point of the video starts at about 1:06.
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Nov 23, 2010, 7:24pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

The only thing that these enhanced measures will accomplish is changing the location of the bomb blast.

Instead of a mid-air detonation, it will be in a crowded airport. The end result will be the same.

There has been so much said about how these measures are necessary to detect explosive devices; but I have not read or heard one word about the protocol if one is actually found during a scan or pat down. Do bomb proof shields suddenly drop down? Does the floor open up and drop the would-be bomber into a bomb proof cell?

It seems that the only thing that these enhanced procedures really protect...are the airplanes.

Nov 23, 2010, 8:48pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Tim Hens, you are exactly right, it's just a big scam, and people eat that stuff with a spoon. Michael Chertoff, the former Homeland Security Secretary represents the company that sold those stupid machines to his department while he was there. After leaving government, he forms a security consulting company and his client is Rapiscan, the vendor whose machines he pushed to buy. That smells just a bit.

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/airport-full-body-scanners-are-made-…

Drink that Kool-aid everyone, yum.

Nov 23, 2010, 8:49pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

The thing I figured out today: TSA doesn't trust its staff to make independent decisions.

They trust more technology and rigid procedures that all personnel must follow.

As opposed to the very successful Israeli way of training security personnel to recognize potential terrorists.

Nov 23, 2010, 9:29pm Permalink
JoAnne Rock

I agree Howard.

It strikes me as odd that when a suspicious package is found, the bomb squad, wearing full protection, is called to investigate; yet, TSA employees are issued rubber gloves to search for suspicious packages.

Nov 23, 2010, 9:38pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

All I can say is smoke and mirrors.... Judging from the press today it sounds like TSA is worried bout rumors of boycott of airlines this holiday.

It would really be something if people did choose to drive instead of fly, notice that the oil companies take it serious as oild prices have declined much but gas is still over 3 a gallon.

I like the idea of coming to airport in underwear and dressing after. Or the other idea I heard.....ready?

Create a scanning device that is a bomb proof booth, if you have explosive on you you step in the scanner sets it off.... Would definately reduce the need for other scanners and pat downs :)

Nov 23, 2010, 9:56pm Permalink
kevin kretschmer

As great as the the Israeli screening method is, it would create a logistical nightmare in this country. They basically are dealing with one airport, Ben Gurion International, which handles approximately 11 Million people per year. In 2009, almost 800 Million people passed through US Airports.

Nov 23, 2010, 10:08pm Permalink
Tim Howe

Well John if those politically correct people would stop causing so much trouble, and making this country a joke pushing thier "political correctness" we would be fine.

Lets face it John, blond hair, blue eyed people don't want to kill us.

If i worked at an airport and i guy came in claiming to be going on vacation and he was wearing his beach towel on his head instead of in his bag, and if he clearly did not look like a sports fan but looks like he is growing a playoff beard then he needs to have some additional screening.

Seriously, why do some people demonize "profiling"?

Nov 24, 2010, 5:23pm Permalink

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