Decent article in Fridays USA Today about searches. See link a few messages above. One note towards the end caught by eye:

"Bob Baccus of Huntsville, Ala., is ''thankful'' for security checks. He's the father of a flight attendant who has been forced to take an involuntary leave from the job she loves. If more people felt it was safe to fly, Baccus believes, ''maybe my daughter could get her job back.''"

What Mr Baccus is missing here is that many people are NOT flying because of all the security bull**it. They are afraid because the government has made them afraid with National Guard, closed parking, rules, delays, body groping, etc. Get real folks.

I'll bet if old "Bob from bama's" daughter was still flying, and had been felt up a time or two, he'd have a completely different attitude.....

I think if you bought them a few drinks and asked them, most of the National Guardsmen working at the airports would tell you that they can't stand the $7.00 an hour felons working security right now.

My experience in SAN, where the Guardsman basically ripped the supervisor and screener a new one, kind of made me believe that.

The same guards that have no ammo in their guns, right? And the same ones that many companies are still paying their wages, even though they are not at work? The ones that scare the bejesus out of many people attempting to fly?

Please don't make the mistake of thinking that the Guardsmen aren't dangerous. They don't have a round chambered, so the rifles aren't ready to fire immediately. That can change in a matter of moments.

Yes, they have ammo in their pockets, but so what? We don't need armed guards at the security checkpoints. That's not where the problems lie. When's the last time -- or the FIRST time -- someone forced their way through a security checkpoint? What would be the point? That's not how to get on a plane, is it?

Terrorists go through security just like everyone else. It's after they are in the air that the problems start. Maybe we can use some of those soldiers on the airplanes themselves, but they are wasting their time standing around watching the Argen-not-so-brights misbehave.

Bruce

Why are you afraid of a soldier? They don't scare me. To be honest with you, I don't even notice them now.

In any case, I don't think they like the thugs that are doing security right now. I've seen them give some big time dirty looks to the Argen-not-bright thugs and I think that if you get hassled, asking them for a little help would probably get the Argen-not-bright thugs chewed out.

As for them getting paid by their employer when they've been called up, that's the law, and if you don't like it, talk to your Congressman. Don't expect to get anywhere, though, because without the reserves, our military is screwed.

Thank you mdtony for those words of wisdom.

"FloridaFlyer"
LCDR, USNR

I know it is the law, and for REAL MILITARY purposes, I don't have much problem with it. Right now they are serving very little purpose. And speaking of that law. Our congress has decided it is alright to run a business into the ground by paying people that do not work there. What were they thinking? Where do they think that money is coming from? Out of someones pocket, for sure. No magic congressional fund for this.



[This message has been edited by NoStressHere (edited 12-15-2001).]

I could be wrong, but I think the NG is onsite as props. They lend the notion of authority and muscle.

I could be even wronger, but I doubt that they have real authority. They are not sworn police officers, for example, and I question whether they can even themselves make an arrest.

Since it doesn't seem they are there to keep the peace (I don't remember hearing of riots or civil disobedience at airport security checkpoints), and they are certainly not there in a military capacity (the posse comitatus act of the last century forbids the army from domestic civil police duties), they seem to have an unclear and only semi-defined sort of duty-- not really screeners, and not really policemen.

Err, no offense, but that's not quite true.

They are "projection of power". Sort of like parking an M1A1 MBT near your house. You're a lot less likely to get robbed. Terrorists will go where the prey is easier. They are done with airports for as long as we continue to have a power projection there.

Thing is though that other than a terminal attack the massive police/military presence does little to help the risk factor. It LOOKS nice, but it doesn't make much difference if the Terrorist walks in through the employee entrance...

Regards,
-Bouncer-

I'm sure there's someone more knowledgeable than me on this subject, but I think the law only requires the employer to hold a called-up reservist/NG's job open, or at least offer them a comparable job on their return.

As for pay, I think they get active duty pay while on assignment, but I don't think their employers are required to pay them during this period. However, many companies (mine included) pay the difference between the (laughable) reserve/NG pay and their regular salary, as an extra (and taxable, thanks to Uncle Sam) benefit.

As for the comment about us being in bad shape without the reserves, that's an understatement. Approx. 1/2 of troop strength in is the reserves, and some of them are top units. The Air Force, Navy and Marine reserve pilots (made up primarily of airline pilots) regularly outscore active duty units. I'll take experience (like >2,000 hours in type for some of these guys) any day.

A grope AND miles! What is there to complain about?!

(sorry, I just couldn't resist it)

More seriously, this is very much the situation in Europe, with the UK (Heathrow T1 is amazing) a clear winner in the harassment cup.

Similar experiences as the ones described here - you might recall Diana Ross incident a few months back - she was groped around the chest area by a female screener and made a real fuss - they promptly had her arrested. So be careful.

I quite like the idea of rotating hips/breathing heavily when they start patting you, must try that. Maybe airports should introduce slow music around the X-ray areas http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Along with the music, maybe some soft lighting too! I am at home practicing my Elvis lower torso swivel, and after the grope I will then add in "Thank You, thank you very much!"

Cool, I am no longer scared to fly.

A couple of observations -
1) I think as time goes on we will get back to normal.

2) We think its ludicrous to check the little old lady with a walker. I bet if in some case the lady was used to smuggle something on board - everyone would be yelling "Those idiots they should check everone." The security folks are in somewhat of a can't win situation.

3) The whole atmosphere has changed. It will be a lot harder to take over the next plane since the dynamics of dealing with those folks has changed.

4) With all the hassles involved flying is a) the safest way to go b) the fastest way to go if you are traveling more than 300 miles

5) A good grope every now and then, while not justified, is in fact just part of the equation now.

I've read several lines on FT about people who feel indignant that certain events have happened to them. Fine. In the grand scheme of things -- someone holding you up by pulling you out of a line -- checking you over more carefully than you think they should -- or whatever -- it's a part of what happens now.

When I compare what I must pay, not only $$$ but the irratations and what I recieve -- traveling for either work or pleasure through it all, I still come out far ahead.

A little bit of common sense and a large dash of a sense of humor helps.

That's my $.02.

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TANSTAAFL - but if you work it right, FF miles comes pretty close.