<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LexPassenger:
The fact is that AAA did a survey last fall that identified that 25% of all reduction in short and medium distance flying was due to security hassle avoidance. (The rest was economic.)
Certainly my wife and I are flying as much less as we can manage to avoid being molested and harassed by the TSA goons we all too often encounter.
I have never felt violated or insulted at the much-more-attentive European security checkpoints. I have also run into good TSAers (despite the idiotic policies they have to enforce), including a wonderfully competent tension-defusing lady last Monday in Seattle.
That does not excuse the monumental and worthless waste of resources this charade has become, or bely the fact that airlines are hurting and dying as a result of these counterproductive policies.
Or excuse that the multiple billions of dollars wasted could be making either a useful contribution to security or saving many thousands of lives pursuing highway safety or providing provenly effective drugs to needy patients.
All of life is an evaluation of risk and benefit. We are getting no useful benefit from this expenditure and probably multiplying our risk by belittling the truly frightening threats (rogue employees, anti-aircraft missiles) that will eventually bring down another civilian airliner.
As with the many civilized societies over time which have been beset with terrorists, we should find that prudence and alertness are much better shields than paranoia and hysteria. Until we recognize that nothing can guarantee that there will not be successful terrorism, we uselessly waste resources and make it that much more likely that the terrorists will succeed.
Meanwhile, by diminishing what makes our way of life enjoyable and valuable, we give them the preliminary victory of letting our own foolish ignorant (if majoritarian) fears do their work.
You all happy?
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1. Surveys can be swayed one way or the other.
2.I would bet that if you tried an experiment and treated a screener like they were your long lost buddy your experience would be totally different. Besides, I cannot understand how anyone can expect to be treated the same in every airport exactly the same way. Big airports have big attitudes. Look at the culture of the surrounding area.Are you treated the same way in every resturant? I doubt it.
3.I lived in Germany for 3 years and things are not the same. We have far more freedoms than they will ever have, but that was why we left there long ago isnt it? Have you ever witnessed German police in action. Remember Rodney King,they don't play around.Be thankful we don't adopt their frame of mind.
4.The airlines are hurting because of labor unions, old aircraft, rising fuel costs, and a proven/well documented record of piss poor management. Jet Blue just ordered 100 new aircraft. Southwest is still showing a profit.Maybe others should pay attention.
5. Saving lives on the roadway system is the biggest problem in our nation today and it can be easily proven.Other than aviation accidents, there is probably nothing more documented. Is there a solution? More laws?more road blocks? How about holding alcohol manufacturers responsible?You will never stop it. You can only do your best to reduce it. POV accidents are the biggest killer in our military today. I was in several meetings in which this problem was addressed. Just short of banning POVs, the only good solution was spend more time educating troops about vehicle safety,but unfortunately safety is taking a backseat to classes spent on "consideration of others rainbow feelings".
6.Priorities need to be redirected in my opinion also.Getting rid of the TSA is not the solution. Shifting to other areas as you mentioned needs to happen, but Washington does not want to admit that for some reason.
I will never claim that this organization is the answer to our security problems but is a private contractor who's bottom line is profit at minimum effort? Maybe a mixture will be the answer.
[This message has been edited by tsadude (edited 06-12-2003).]
[This message has been edited by tsadude (edited 06-12-2003).]