Congress Wants TSA to Secure Amtrak & Buses
#16
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 729
Now I am less amused by this reimagined Amtrak ad campaign.
I took Amtrak a few years ago, and it was quite a relaxing trip because I wasn't treated like a criminal at any point in the trip. Also, the seats were spacious and equipped with electrical outlets, and nobody told me I wasn't allowed to congregate near the lavs. If Amtrak did not have such limited schedules and routes (in the southern US), I would definitely use it more.
I took Amtrak a few years ago, and it was quite a relaxing trip because I wasn't treated like a criminal at any point in the trip. Also, the seats were spacious and equipped with electrical outlets, and nobody told me I wasn't allowed to congregate near the lavs. If Amtrak did not have such limited schedules and routes (in the southern US), I would definitely use it more.
#17
Join Date: May 2014
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What a joke!
#18
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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I remember that the DC Metro had a program a few years ago with random bag checks at random stations. I think it was coordinated by the Metro Transit Police and TSA. I think within the first day there was a Twitter account to notify people of the stations being screened each day so commuters could bypass it.
What a joke!
What a joke!
How do police get around search restrictions without obtaining a warrant?
#19
Join Date: Sep 2013
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#21
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That is exactly the problem, being blocked from using mass transit without cause. A search under those circumstances is not voluntary.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: JFK LGA PBI BOI
Posts: 910
Exactly what NYPD does when bag searching entering the Subway in NYC. If you refuse search they refuse entry.
NYPD only sets up at one subway stop and usually only one entrance at that stop. They only stop you from entering where they are, nothing prevents you using another entrance at the same stop or walking to the next stop.
TSA has been used at some of the inspections as well with the NYPD.
NYPD only sets up at one subway stop and usually only one entrance at that stop. They only stop you from entering where they are, nothing prevents you using another entrance at the same stop or walking to the next stop.
TSA has been used at some of the inspections as well with the NYPD.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2010
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#24
Join Date: Aug 2012
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#25
Join Date: May 2009
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Heck, even setting up TSA at train stations would be a waste - plenty of Amtrak "stations" in rural areas are just unmanned platforms with a covered bench waiting area similar to a city bus stop.
Playing Security Theater in train stations and bus stations will do nothing aside from grow the TSA bureaucracy.
#26
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Yes, it would be much easier. Amtrak trains, for example, pass through vast swaths of land that are away from prying eyes and/or in the middle of nowhere (particularly the longhaul trains outside the NEC). Same with freight trains carrying hazardous chemicals and such.
Heck, even setting up TSA at train stations would be a waste - plenty of Amtrak "stations" in rural areas are just unmanned platforms with a covered bench waiting area similar to a city bus stop.
Playing Security Theater in train stations and bus stations will do nothing aside from grow the TSA bureaucracy.
Heck, even setting up TSA at train stations would be a waste - plenty of Amtrak "stations" in rural areas are just unmanned platforms with a covered bench waiting area similar to a city bus stop.
Playing Security Theater in train stations and bus stations will do nothing aside from grow the TSA bureaucracy.
#27
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: TSA TSO
Posts: 455
Meh. This is a whole lot of nothing.
First: all that's happened is that a bill was introduced. If it doesn't pass before Congress adjourns, it's dead. Since this is an election year, the session ends at the end of December(-ish). There's no chance this gets passed before the election, and I don't see enough political will to make this important enough for Congress to take it up during the lame-duck session.
Also, even the article notes:
So, no time to get it passed, and no money for it, either. I'd say this is just an opportunity for folks to get their name in the paper.
First: all that's happened is that a bill was introduced. If it doesn't pass before Congress adjourns, it's dead. Since this is an election year, the session ends at the end of December(-ish). There's no chance this gets passed before the election, and I don't see enough political will to make this important enough for Congress to take it up during the lame-duck session.
Also, even the article notes:
So, no time to get it passed, and no money for it, either. I'd say this is just an opportunity for folks to get their name in the paper.
#28
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Sounds like USA is becoming more like USSR with government issued photo ID as functional equivalent of an internal passport.
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
Isn't part of the security in certain stations already TSA? I'm fairly certain I've seen them in 30th Street station in Philadelphia and Penn Station in NYC. NYC also has security personnel in camo uniforms with serious weapons and regular sweeps with the dog teams - not sure exactly who those two belong to.