With war on the horizon, the TSA is increasing its airport security measures again since the terror level was again raised to Orange. So why did they bother to reduce the color a couple weeks ago? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif
Because of the higher threat level, the Transportation Security Administration, which is in charge of security at the nation's airports, announced four new measures Monday night.
The TSA is ordering airports to conduct random inspections of vehicles, increase canine patrols, and increase the overall law enforcement presence in and around airports.
The agency will also be putting up temporary signs inside airports asking the public to be aware of the increased threat level and to report unattended bags and suspicious behavior.</font>
This alert system is basically bunk just for the Administration to cover its not-so-pretty derriere when it is ineffective in the future to prevent another terrorist attack.
The alert level is based principally on measurements of communications in/to/from Arabs and muslims on the phone, email/internet, fax, and mail.
It is secondarily based on a measurement of the amount of tourist-like activities happening like taking pictures or standing around monuments, govt. installations of note, etc.
It is thirdly based on human intelligence, but this basis is very, very weakly applicable right now for a multitude of reasons, including our second-rate penetration of terrorist organizations and, to a lesser extent, our unwillingness to fully include American muslims and arabs in our intelligence and law enforcement efforts short of a 12 to 24 month background check... about double what it is for most others.
tazi
Mar 17, 03, 10:39 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GUWonder:
This alert system is basically bunk just for the Administration to cover its not-so-pretty derriere when it is ineffective in the future to prevent another terrorist attack.</font>
Welcome to Candyland. An insult to the intelligence of the American public. Something that takes for granted our supposed lack of ability to fend for ourselves unless a bright color is flashed in front of our eyes. Did you buy your duck tape today?
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
onedog
Mar 18, 03, 12:55 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tazi:
...Did you buy your duck tape today?
</font>
I didn't need to. I still have all the cases of duct tape that I bought the last time. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
[This message has been edited by onedog (edited 03-17-2003).]
PremEx
Mar 18, 03, 4:17 am
THIS (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/images/myrtlebeachonline/sunnews/5334/28451891042.jpg) is the only "Condition Orange" that this frequent flyer cares to see.
I am almost tempted to delay the 4 trips I have scheduled through the end of March not because I am the least bit scared by any potential terrorist action but because of the idiotic, knee-jerk responses that those in charge of "security" will doubtless implement as we trapse the Candyland™ "Security" Spectrum.
Random vehicle searches? Useless.
Random passenger checks? Useless.
Gate harassment? Worse than useless.
I could understand, perhaps, if and when we do attack Iraq the need for genuinely increased security at our airports. However, the TSA has shown time and time again that it knows absolutely nothing about increasing security, but know plenty about implementing useless measures that harass, annoy, and humiliate travelers.
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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry
Billiken
Mar 18, 03, 8:48 am
PREMEX:
Was that camera mounted on your shoe???
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CO treats me like a king, Rodney King
Mook
Mar 18, 03, 8:49 am
Orange? Hah! I'll have you know that my personal threat assessment color today is Chartreuse.
And, to paraphrase George Carlin, "I have just as much authority as Tom Ridge. I just don't have as many people who believe it." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Mook
Doppy
Mar 18, 03, 10:00 am
Huh. New York is always on "code orange."
I love the public terror inducement system.
d
richard
Mar 18, 03, 12:25 pm
I like Defcon Burnt Umber as it matches my kitchen floor better.
You've got all sorts of Codes and DefCons you can play with to match any mood. Great for parties or just anytime fun.
bdschobel
Mar 18, 03, 12:37 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Doppy:
Huh. New York is always on "code orange."
I love the public terror inducement system.</font>
Except that everybody in New York makes fun of it -- as I'm sure you know from your own experience. I wonder if anybody in the country takes these warnings seriously or changes their behavior in any way. I certainly don't.
Bruce
richard
Mar 18, 03, 1:03 pm
They take it seriously around the Washington suburbs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif at least around our neighborhood.
bocastephen
Mar 18, 03, 1:08 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
They take it seriously around the Washington suburbs http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif at least around our neighborhood.</font>
what do they do to prepare? I can't imagine everyone throws duct tape up on their windows and starts official civilian patrols http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Spiff
Mar 18, 03, 1:13 pm
If they're out on patrol, doesn't the duct tape become moot? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif (not that it isn't useless already...)
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bocastephen:
what do they do to prepare? I can't imagine everyone throws duct tape up on their windows and starts official civilian patrols http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>
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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry
EPS
Mar 18, 03, 1:15 pm
BRINK OF WAR
ORANGE ALERT: Increased security for coastal waters, airports, bridges and nation's borders
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/03/18/MN262828.DTL
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Security at airports -- including San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland -- also will be increased, and random searches of vehicles on terminal approach roads may begin. The brief car inspections, first initiated during last month's alert, are deemed "voluntary," and motorists who refuse are simply not allowed to proceed to the airport.</font>
richard
Mar 18, 03, 1:20 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The brief car inspections, first initiated during last month's alert, are deemed "voluntary," and motorists who refuse are simply not allowed to proceed to the airport.</font>
This is a laugh. The government is telling you that you don't need to be searched. But if you don't consent, park your car somewhere else and hoof it?
Okay, let's extend this logic. Say they want to search your cars at "random" for no reason, but if you refuse, you can't drive. Then is that "voluntary"? I guess so, under the New Definitions.
It's For Your Protection, nothing to hide, etc. etc. etc. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif
xyzzy
Mar 18, 03, 1:27 pm
I've always wondered what they're looking for at these "inspections." They seem to open the trunk, look inside, and close it. What are they looking for? They never check inside the suitcases, boxes, etc. I know... this must make people feel "safer."
FWAAA
Mar 18, 03, 1:49 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PremEx:
THIS (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/images/myrtlebeachonline/sunnews/5334/28451891042.jpg) is the only "Condition Orange" that this frequent flyer cares to see.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
tazi
Mar 18, 03, 1:57 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bocastephen:
what do they do to prepare? I can't imagine everyone throws duct tape up on their windows and starts official civilian patrols http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>
They are selling a $4.oo gas mask at CVS stores http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif
I know after the last alert I couldn't buy water at the grocery store for a week. It was very annoying.
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
bocastephen
Mar 18, 03, 2:11 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tazi:
They are selling a $4.oo gas mask at CVS stores http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif
I know after the last alert I couldn't buy water at the grocery store for a week. It was very annoying.</font>
A gas mask for $4?? I doubt that would even protect you from someone's flatulence http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Since when did panic become our National Pastime? I always thought it was baseball...well maybe it was back in the innocent old days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
bocastephen
Mar 18, 03, 2:19 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
I've always wondered what they're looking for at these "inspections." They seem to open the trunk, look inside, and close it. What are they looking for? They never check inside the suitcases, boxes, etc. I know... this must make people feel "safer."</font>
Last time they were running this nonsence at PBI, it looked like they had rounded up a bunch of maintenance workers and senior citizen 'condo commandos' to do the checks...the Sherriff just stood by off to the side, sometimes moving to take a passing glance a car. The whole scene looked beyond ridiculous.
On another trip, I got into a nasty argument with a private security guard at MIA (getting into arguments with staff at MIA is a very easy thing to do), who was doing complete searches on cars going into one of the garages. He had everyone's trunk open and then opened suitcases and rifled through clothing. He was annoyed that I first complained about the search, then was more annoyed when I insisted on standing there and watching while he did the search, in case something accidently "stuck" to his hand on the way out (MIA has a bad reputation for this).
Even more ridiculous, was another entrance just around the corner had no such checks...which is now the entrance I use for parking there. It just boggles the mind http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif The Administration must think we are all mentally handicapped.
tazi
Mar 18, 03, 2:27 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bocastephen:
A gas mask for $4?? I doubt that would even protect you from someone's flatulence http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Since when did panic become our National Pastime? I always thought it was baseball...well maybe it was back in the innocent old days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif</font>
Oh, that is a good one! Panic became our national pastime when the TSA was created and now even more so with the Department of Homeland Insecurity and it's Candyland color coded system.
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin