Originally Posted by
JObeth66
Why?
Seriously. Same question for flight crews, airline personnel, TSA personnel, and anyone else who gets a free pass or a modification.
If, as we are being told, these pat-downs are absolutely and totally necessary for our safety and security, if every single person entering the sterile area is not patted-down in exactly the same manner every time they enter the area, is airline safety and security NOT compromised?
And if a child who is 11 years, 11 months, and 29 days old can be safely allowed on a plane with a 'modified' pat-down, why not a day later? Why can't his 13 year old sister be safely allowed with a modified pat down? And why not her parents, and grandparents?
At what point does it become really, really obvious that it's not about providing actual 'security' and 'safety' so much as the impression of security and safety?
Because that is what people seem to want. And I agree. We should allow some risk, as no security system is perfect to begin with. I believe in the added risk of have a less invasive pat down for children who APPEAR to be under 12 (so a 13 year old may fall under that situation) as the benefits out weigh the slightly higher risk.
In part, isnt this what many here want? A risk based approached to security? Not to apply the same level of screen to all who come through the checkpoint? The childs bags are still screened, they are still patted down or they go through the WTMD or AIT.
As far as flight crew, they do not need weapons to bring down a plane. They should be exempt. Silly to check a pilot for an IED when all he needs to do is fly his plane into a building. And flight attendants have access to the cockpit. They can bring down a plane too.
No, nothing is perfect, far from it. But what these changes represent are actually what people here have been calling for for some time: risk based security.
Originally Posted by
boiflyer
sattso,
is the tsa taking down names of passengers who opt-out?
Not that I am aware. I do know that the passenger, if they have already entered the checkpoint by refusing the AIT, and THEN refuse the pat down will be interviewed by police. What they do I don't know.