Newsstand - DOT standing firm on Dec. 31 airline-baggage screening deadline

DOT standing firm on Dec. 31 airline-baggage screening deadline

The Bush administration is turning aside a call by airport officials to reconsider a Dec. 31 deadline for mandatory screening of all checked baggage.

A key lawmaker says, however, that Congress may revisit the matter.

Officials of 39 airports wrote Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta last week asking him to pressure Congress to push back the deadline. They said the current timetable is apt to cause major problems for passengers and flights.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/business/3389384.htm

Trust that nitwit Mineta to go full steam ahead with any "Random Security" directive no matter how much it inconveniences passengers.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/NEWS/06/03/airline.security.ap/index.html

"Smithers, FIRE THAT MAN!!!!"

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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

What happens if they see something *suspicious* in a bag? Do they open it without the owner's permission, and out of his/her presence? Does checking luggage mean implied consent? This is open season on travellers. What's to prevent mass *confiscation* (legalized theft)of anything
they perceive as dangerous. If they open the bag and it turns out to be nothing, will they feel it necessary to justify the search by taking something anyway, like a battery operated clock? Although I rarely check a bag, I would be very upset if the lock had been cut, and my clothes and personal items gone through. How would you prove anything was missing? My guess is there's no way the airlines can be held liable because it's for *security*. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

[This message has been edited by flowerchild (edited 06-03-2002).]

They've already started cutting locks off. This is apparently unavoidable, because the bags are not inspected until long after the passengers are in the terminal. It bothers me, too, but I don't see any solution, other than carrying on bags. Meanwhile, they are discouraging that!

Will people really continue to fly under these conditions? My total miles for 2002 will be only about two-thirds of my total miles in 2001 or 2000. I won't take unnecessary trips.

Bruce

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bdschobel:
They've already started cutting locks off. This is apparently unavoidable, because the bags are not inspected until long after the passengers are in the terminal. It bothers me, too, but I don't see any solution, other than carrying on bags.
Bruce</font>

I use brightly colored wire ties to "seal" my luggage zippers. It discourages casual browsing, and prevents serious damage if someone really wants to get in. It also keeps the contents secure from spontaneous unzipping.

Cheers,

birdstrike