SCL - US Bound Flight "Security"
 

I've been down to SCL twice recently. Once last week, and once at the beginning of last December. Their version of the imposed US security stupidity is laughable, and speaks volumes of what they think about it.

Regular security goes pretty quick (although the Immigration lines can be a small wait). No barkers, no shoe removal, no laptop removal, no liquid removal. Very pleasant, actually.

Pre-underwear bomber, there has always been a gate check for liquids for US-bound flights. It was always a cursory glance in your bag that took a few seconds and you were on your way.

Post-underwear bomber, it really hasn't changed. A quick look was given to the top layer of my carry on and backpack. If I had buried anything, they never would have found it. In the jetway, they had a male and female screener doing patdowns. This was by far the most cursory patdown I've ever experienced. Just a quick pat on my outer torso by my arms, and another on my outer knees. Then onto the plane.

It's clear that the Chilean government is just "going through the motions" imposed upon them by the US, not really liking what the demands are. All for show. Love it.

Thumbs up to SCL security for calling this spade a spade. Their actions provide exactly 0% less security than the hysterical efforts of TSA and CATSA.

It is the same in many places around the world (unfortunately not all) for flights to USA.

I would never expect other countries to spend the money and resources to mimic our security. For one it's is pointless and with the exception of Britain we are the only country targeted by the would be bad guys.

That's a bit of a stretch. What about Spain, Morocco, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Argentina... the list goes on. I agree that we are the main target, but we are not alone.

A lot of Latin American governments and retained contractors have pretty much been doing the same thing as what happens in SCL when it comes to flights bound to the US. I'm now starting to see some of the same happen in Europe too, but there it's not a function of governments telling the TSA to take a hike.

the Chilean govt did the right thing....we wouldn't have issues like the underwear bomber if we werent so arrogant and causing problems all over the world. Go to the root of the problem and solve it...not nip every weed that pops up on your green lawn.