with OBL dead, how will this affect security?
May 2, 2011 | 5:51 am
#46
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 72,193
Apparently, there are armed NG guys already patrolling NYC airports and the WTC site.
The climate of fear demands that the TSA do something visible. Some things they can do very easily that don't cost a lot of money --
1. Vehicle searches at airport entrances;
2. requiring everyone to say their names, just like at SFO;
3. Friskings for nearly everybody;
4. Increased gate rapes;
5. Packs of roving clerks going around terminals conducting random searches or people, bags, and drinks.
6. Increased harassment on subways, trains, and buses, and possibly even highways. State and local governments can do this without the TSA.
And, of course, a puppy post on PV.
The TSA will welcome this, because it buys them time from the current outrage over their screening tactics. For sure, anyone speaking out will be declared to be a sympathizer or generally UnAmerican.
It's going to be a rough week to attempt to go anywhere.
On the flip side, I suspect there will be some public debate along the lines of: "OBL is dead. Why do we have to keep doing these things at airports?"
The climate of fear demands that the TSA do something visible. Some things they can do very easily that don't cost a lot of money --
1. Vehicle searches at airport entrances;
2. requiring everyone to say their names, just like at SFO;
3. Friskings for nearly everybody;
4. Increased gate rapes;
5. Packs of roving clerks going around terminals conducting random searches or people, bags, and drinks.
6. Increased harassment on subways, trains, and buses, and possibly even highways. State and local governments can do this without the TSA.
And, of course, a puppy post on PV.
The TSA will welcome this, because it buys them time from the current outrage over their screening tactics. For sure, anyone speaking out will be declared to be a sympathizer or generally UnAmerican.
It's going to be a rough week to attempt to go anywhere.
On the flip side, I suspect there will be some public debate along the lines of: "OBL is dead. Why do we have to keep doing these things at airports?"
May 2, 2011 | 5:57 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,441
Apparently, there are armed NG guys already patrolling NYC airports and the WTC site.
The climate of fear demands that the TSA do something visible. Some things they can do very easily that don't cost a lot of money --
1. Vehicle searches at airport entrances;
2. requiring everyone to say their names, just like at SFO;
3. Friskings for nearly everybody;
4. Increased gate rapes;
5. Packs of roving clerks going around terminals conducting random searches or people, bags, and drinks.
6. Increased harassment on subways, trains, and buses, and possibly even highways. State and local governments can do this without the TSA.
And, of course, a puppy post on PV.
The TSA will welcome this, because it buys them time from the current outrage over their screening tactics. For sure, anyone speaking out will be declared to be a sympathizer or generally UnAmerican.
It's going to be a rough week to attempt to go anywhere.
On the flip side, I suspect there will be some public debate along the lines of: "OBL is dead. Why do we have to keep doing these things at airports?"
The climate of fear demands that the TSA do something visible. Some things they can do very easily that don't cost a lot of money --
1. Vehicle searches at airport entrances;
2. requiring everyone to say their names, just like at SFO;
3. Friskings for nearly everybody;
4. Increased gate rapes;
5. Packs of roving clerks going around terminals conducting random searches or people, bags, and drinks.
6. Increased harassment on subways, trains, and buses, and possibly even highways. State and local governments can do this without the TSA.
And, of course, a puppy post on PV.
The TSA will welcome this, because it buys them time from the current outrage over their screening tactics. For sure, anyone speaking out will be declared to be a sympathizer or generally UnAmerican.
It's going to be a rough week to attempt to go anywhere.
On the flip side, I suspect there will be some public debate along the lines of: "OBL is dead. Why do we have to keep doing these things at airports?"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/op...outhat.html?hp
May 2, 2011 | 6:37 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: North Carolina
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Posts: 162
Security seems much tighter today than last week. Lots of putdowns caused by increasing sensitivity of metal detectors, closer examinations of luggage, etc. I think I am done flying, after this trip for a few weeks.
May 2, 2011 | 7:00 am
#50
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Unfortunately, you are absolutely correct.
While I hope your last observation takes hold and blossoms, the more likely outcome is whay you noted in the body of your post. I fully expect to see TSA use this as justification for continuing their war on the traveling public.
While I hope your last observation takes hold and blossoms, the more likely outcome is whay you noted in the body of your post. I fully expect to see TSA use this as justification for continuing their war on the traveling public.
"Mission Accomplished"
May 2, 2011 | 7:05 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 298
My sense is that we will be able to move on
Of course there will be a lot of talk about terror for another few days/weeks. But that's it. The world has moved on: With the horrible incidents in Japan and the Gulf of Mexico last year (and a very visible raise in gas prices) the focus is now going to be on energy.
Similarly, none of the this terror nonsense played a role in the North Africa / Middle East events over the past months.
And maybe people will slowly start to realize that in the competition of systems, investments made in security measures have a low ROI and that maybe (just maybe) an investment into schools would have been more beneficial to the long term prosperity of this country...
Similarly, none of the this terror nonsense played a role in the North Africa / Middle East events over the past months.
And maybe people will slowly start to realize that in the competition of systems, investments made in security measures have a low ROI and that maybe (just maybe) an investment into schools would have been more beneficial to the long term prosperity of this country...
May 2, 2011 | 7:47 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
That is nave at best. It doesn't matter that you didn't mention parties. If something changes it would mean governing by a different party. Guess w hat that party is? Oh, if you can't figure that one out it's hopeless anyway. When have Republicans ever done better at not taking away our civil liberties? What makes you think that whoever comes in to replace them won't be even worse than what we presently have? Do you want the devil you do know or the devil you don't?
May 2, 2011 | 7:53 am
#53
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with OBL dead, how will this affect security?
May 2, 2011 | 8:13 am
#54
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The additional expenditure on resource allocation airside speaks to the lack of confidence in the TSA keeping contraband out.
My tour of NYC airports and a visit to near the WTC site is underway this hour.
My tour of NYC airports and a visit to near the WTC site is underway this hour.
May 2, 2011 | 8:18 am
#55
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: HOU
Posts: 459
That is nave at best. It doesn't matter that you didn't mention parties. If something changes it would mean governing by a different party. Guess w hat that party is? Oh, if you can't figure that one out it's hopeless anyway. When have Republicans ever done better at not taking away our civil liberties? What makes you think that whoever comes in to replace them won't be even worse than what we presently have? Do you want the devil you do know or the devil you don't?
While we could possibly do worse, to do so would require actual malice on the part of the new administration. Certainly incompetence could not result in anything worse.
As for how this will affect security, the only change that I see is that I will no longer be able to tell people, "I wouldn't care if Osama bin Ladin was sitting next to me as long as we had hardened cockpit doors, proactive passengers, and an sensible ETD system in place. Weapons and incendiaries could threaten passengers, but could do no real harm to the populace." After all, nobody wants to sit next to a corpse.
May 2, 2011 | 8:21 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DTW
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Posts: 613
May 2, 2011 | 8:26 am
#57
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 733
The "security" *ahem* experts have all told us that metal is no longer the threat. The Threat has "evolved" and is now of a non-metallic variety. If this is the case, then why are WTMDs more sensitive?
Proving once again that the entire TSA organization top down is nothing more than an elaborate collection of asshats that couldn't find a banana using a monkey.
cops have guns 
May 2, 2011 | 8:39 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 627
That's odd. Successful hijackings in the past have involved guns or hand grenades. Metal. The Evil Muhammed Hussein Al-Jazeera Box Knives(TM)? Metal.
Plus, if I recall correctly, aren't there inherent dangers with guns being fired on in-flight aircraft?
Plus, if I recall correctly, aren't there inherent dangers with guns being fired on in-flight aircraft?
How is this possible?
The "security" *ahem* experts have all told us that metal is no longer the threat. The Threat has "evolved" and is now of a non-metallic variety. If this is the case, then why are WTMDs more sensitive?
Proving once again that the entire TSA organization top down is nothing more than an elaborate collection of asshats that couldn't find a banana using a monkey.
The "security" *ahem* experts have all told us that metal is no longer the threat. The Threat has "evolved" and is now of a non-metallic variety. If this is the case, then why are WTMDs more sensitive?
Proving once again that the entire TSA organization top down is nothing more than an elaborate collection of asshats that couldn't find a banana using a monkey.