Silence is NOT Golden at the Airport
Mar 19, 2003, 6:37 am
#76
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: AA PLT and that's that!
Posts: 8,349
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ACES II:
Bruce, the screener thought you were acting suspicious and he acted on that. Now, does that make him right? Not necessarily, but he could always explain it away by saying he was doing "continuous" screening. From my recent travels, I have not seen any more of that since newer, more sensitive, walk through metal detectors have been installed that pick out so many that they could not pick anymore at random. I have also seen screeners go out of their way to try to get people through without setting it off, only to be ignored or argued with. </font>
Bruce, the screener thought you were acting suspicious and he acted on that. Now, does that make him right? Not necessarily, but he could always explain it away by saying he was doing "continuous" screening. From my recent travels, I have not seen any more of that since newer, more sensitive, walk through metal detectors have been installed that pick out so many that they could not pick anymore at random. I have also seen screeners go out of their way to try to get people through without setting it off, only to be ignored or argued with. </font>
Since when are screeners trained in what determines "suspicious" behavior? He pulled him aside for one reason and that was because Bruce didn't play his power game. And yes, it was a game. We have to follow procedures that the TSA has spelled out quite clearly at the checkpoints. Answering questions about whether we have done so isn't on the list. The metal detector will give them their answers.
------------------
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
Mar 19, 2003, 8:02 am
#78
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Posts: 732
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bdschobel:
But I didn't "DO" anything. I was just silent.</font>
But I didn't "DO" anything. I was just silent.</font>
[This message has been edited by TakeScissorsAway (edited 03-19-2003).]
Mar 19, 2003, 8:07 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
Programs: Delta DM-3MM United Gold-MM Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 13,498
Actually, silence is easier than answering. And, now that you mention it, I do have a Constitutional right to remain silent when questioned by law-enforcement personnel (which may or may not include the TSA -- an interesting question).
But the bottom line remains the same: I set off no alarms. All my metal went through the x-ray machine. Nobody had any interest in my bag. Yet I was pulled aside for a totally useless wanding -- which everyone knew in advance would be useless -- just because I chose to be quiet. This contributes to security? How? Seems like harassment to me -- and a TSA employee on a power trip.
Bruce
But the bottom line remains the same: I set off no alarms. All my metal went through the x-ray machine. Nobody had any interest in my bag. Yet I was pulled aside for a totally useless wanding -- which everyone knew in advance would be useless -- just because I chose to be quiet. This contributes to security? How? Seems like harassment to me -- and a TSA employee on a power trip.
Bruce
Mar 19, 2003, 8:16 am
#80
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Posts: 732
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bdschobel:
But the bottom line remains the same: I set off no alarms. All my metal went through the x-ray machine. Nobody had any interest in my bag. Yet I was pulled aside for a totally useless wanding -- which everyone knew in advance would be useless -- just because I chose to be quiet. This contributes to security? How? Seems like harassment to me -- and a TSA employee on a power trip.</font>
But the bottom line remains the same: I set off no alarms. All my metal went through the x-ray machine. Nobody had any interest in my bag. Yet I was pulled aside for a totally useless wanding -- which everyone knew in advance would be useless -- just because I chose to be quiet. This contributes to security? How? Seems like harassment to me -- and a TSA employee on a power trip.</font>
As I've stated before, we are just human, and act accordingly.
Mar 19, 2003, 1:46 pm
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: No status no more, no where, no how.
Posts: 13,184
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ACES II:
JPT, just like I said, you trivialized it. That "I can handle those guys!" line.</font>
JPT, just like I said, you trivialized it. That "I can handle those guys!" line.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ACES II:
Don't you get it? The security is there so that does NOT happen again.</font>
Don't you get it? The security is there so that does NOT happen again.</font>
It's actually you who's trivializing the issue -- you're focusing on airline security to the exclusion of security in other areas. As I said, you need to get a sense of perspective.
Mar 19, 2003, 1:49 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: No status no more, no where, no how.
Posts: 13,184
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bdschobel:
Fair enough! I appreciate the honest response -- really!!!
Bruce</font>
Fair enough! I appreciate the honest response -- really!!!
Bruce</font>
Just for informational purposes, could Take perhaps tell us what policy is regarding the handling of hearing-impaired pax? If it's not a hush-hush thing, I mean.
Mar 19, 2003, 2:51 pm
#85
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 928
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bdschobel:
Actually, silence is easier than answering. And, now that you mention it, I do have a Constitutional right to remain silent when questioned by law-enforcement personnel (which may or may not include the TSA -- an interesting question).
But the bottom line remains the same: I set off no alarms. All my metal went through the x-ray machine. Nobody had any interest in my bag. Yet I was pulled aside for a totally useless wanding -- which everyone knew in advance would be useless -- just because I chose to be quiet. This contributes to security? How? Seems like harassment to me -- and a TSA employee on a power trip.
Bruce</font>
Actually, silence is easier than answering. And, now that you mention it, I do have a Constitutional right to remain silent when questioned by law-enforcement personnel (which may or may not include the TSA -- an interesting question).
But the bottom line remains the same: I set off no alarms. All my metal went through the x-ray machine. Nobody had any interest in my bag. Yet I was pulled aside for a totally useless wanding -- which everyone knew in advance would be useless -- just because I chose to be quiet. This contributes to security? How? Seems like harassment to me -- and a TSA employee on a power trip.
Bruce</font>
[This message has been edited by tsadude (edited 03-19-2003).]
Mar 19, 2003, 9:22 pm
#86
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: BWI
Programs: AA PLT and that's that!
Posts: 8,349
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TakeScissorsAway:
Didn't the screener ask you a simple question ? Wouldn't it have been just as easy to give him/her a simple answer ? By your silence, you were just looking for the response you received. I guess you were envoking your 5th amendment right.</font>
Didn't the screener ask you a simple question ? Wouldn't it have been just as easy to give him/her a simple answer ? By your silence, you were just looking for the response you received. I guess you were envoking your 5th amendment right.
</font>
------------------
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin
Mar 19, 2003, 9:27 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Posts: 732
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tazi:
We spent several years answering stupid questions the airlines were forced to ask us. There is no reason why we should subject ourselves to the same idiocy when it is unmandated. You want us to answer your questions? Then do what is needed to make it as mandatory as the previous questions were and make sure to be consistant about it everywhere. Otherwise, STFU and just listen to hear if we beep.
</font>
We spent several years answering stupid questions the airlines were forced to ask us. There is no reason why we should subject ourselves to the same idiocy when it is unmandated. You want us to answer your questions? Then do what is needed to make it as mandatory as the previous questions were and make sure to be consistant about it everywhere. Otherwise, STFU and just listen to hear if we beep.
</font>
Mar 20, 2003, 6:52 pm
#88
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10
Tazi,
"We spent several years answering stupid questions the airlines were forced to ask us. There is no reason why we should subject ourselves to the same idiocy when it is unmandated. You want us to answer your questions? Then do what is needed to make it as mandatory as the previous questions were and make sure to be consistant about it everywhere. Otherwise, STFU and just listen to hear if we beep."
No need to post stuff like "STFU" here. Verbal interaction at the checkpoint is needed. If you choose not to talk, you are setting yourself apart from the "average passenger." Yes, screeners are taught to observe people's actions and responses. If the majority of passengers participate in some type of rudimentary communication, and along comes someone who offers none, the screener will pick up on that. I hope you can see through your anger and get the bigger picture here. However, you are entitled to your opinion, and I will respect that.
"We spent several years answering stupid questions the airlines were forced to ask us. There is no reason why we should subject ourselves to the same idiocy when it is unmandated. You want us to answer your questions? Then do what is needed to make it as mandatory as the previous questions were and make sure to be consistant about it everywhere. Otherwise, STFU and just listen to hear if we beep."
No need to post stuff like "STFU" here. Verbal interaction at the checkpoint is needed. If you choose not to talk, you are setting yourself apart from the "average passenger." Yes, screeners are taught to observe people's actions and responses. If the majority of passengers participate in some type of rudimentary communication, and along comes someone who offers none, the screener will pick up on that. I hope you can see through your anger and get the bigger picture here. However, you are entitled to your opinion, and I will respect that.
Mar 20, 2003, 8:07 pm
#90
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Posts: 732
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MIKESILV:
Oh no not ANOTHER troll.
They are multiplying like rats.</font>
Oh no not ANOTHER troll.
They are multiplying like rats.</font>
What is your major malfunction numb nuts ?
Lowering yourself to the very "rats" you speak of ?