The whole SSI excuse really falls apart when you consider that 66,000 people have access to this information. Do you really think the governement would share 'sensitive' information with that many people?

Just more smoke and mirrors.

I would be willing to bet that every one of those that do know were required to sign a non-disclosure statement that could land them in some serious trouble if they divulged SSI. I know I did when I worked with "special" weapons in the USAF. Hence their reluctence to tell you or anyone why you are wrong. Suffice it to say that you are.

ACES II, The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "You don't need to know how it works, but when you need it it will."

The appearance of a laptop on an x-ray scanner is in no way "sensitive." Laptops and x-ray scanners are common enough (outside of airports!) that any fool can find out for himself what laptops look like on x-ray screens.

I am confident that ordinary TSA employees working airport checkpoints see little or no information that is truly sensitive. Perhaps these employees are led to believe that they are in on some secret, because it helps them to feel that their job is important. That's a worthy objective, but let's not allow ourselves to be fooled.

Real secrets are, by definition, held by a small group of people -- the smaller, the better. Any time you tell 66,000 people ANYTHING, it's no longer secret. That should be obvious enough.

Bruce

For those who complain about "sharp, pointy, objects" being looked at closely...

"Nine of the hijackers who commandeered jetliners on Sept. 11 were selected for special security screenings that morning, including two who were singled out because of irregularities in their identification documents, U.S. officials said this week. Six were chosen for extra scrutiny by a computerized screening system, prompting a sweep of their checked baggage for explosives or unauthorized weapons, authorities said. The ninth was listed on ticket documents as traveling with one of the hijackers with questionable identification." -- Washington Post, 3/2/02

Thats all the nine guys above had. Say it can't happen again? Maybe not, but I for one don't want to be on a flight where it might be attempted. At least not without my ejection seat.

ACES II, The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "You can't always trust the passenger beside you, but ACES II will never let you go down in flames."

Didn't you say you were leaving for good??

Anyway, how do you KNOW what the September 11 Muslims Who Hated the US had in their possession?

They may have had boxcutters and plastic knives, but none have been found.

You and your 65,000 brethren can search for and take away all the sharp and pointy objects you want, but you aren't taking all of them away. I have been allowed a sharp glass mirror and bottles of alcohol on every flight since September 11. From my limited knowledge, they could be deadly.

Same for the glassware AA gives me on every flight.

Same for countless other objects that I carry on or could fashion onboard the airplane.

Keep on telling yourself that you're doing the Lord's Work by searching for the sharp and pointy objects. Not everyone buys it, however.

What is all they had? I really don't see what point you are trying to make. Boxcutters were allowed at that time so all that scrutiny would not have changed anything. It isn't like they slipped by the screening.



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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

I love this line of thinking. I have to try this at my next board meeting.

Me: I'm sorry sir you are wrong.
Board: Please explain.
Me: orry I can't, its a secret, but just take my word for it, you are worng.

It must be nice to be right all the time and never have to prove it.

rawbert

Under the new regulations the TSA can order the FAA to suspend or revoke a pilot's license if he or she is deemed to be a threat to national security. The pilot can appeal to the TSA, but the TSA can keep secret the evidence for security reasons. Makes it very difficult for the pilot to mount a proper defense.

This is the sort of "thinking" we have to deal with.

Sure, whats wrong with that thinking? We don't arrest the innocent, that would be a waste of our valuable time!

ACES II, The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "You might think of yourself as important, but ACES II will work everytime for everyone."

I wasn't aware you security *******s were thinking. Thanks for clarifying this.

The point is that now somebody's livelihood can be taken away, simply because the government decides it wants to. There is basically no legal recourse. (Very difficult to defend yourself if you don't know the evidence) For somebody who is a pilot for a living, this can be a very destructive policy. To use an analogy that more people can relate to, suppose the government were able to take away your drivers license for that blanket reason known as "national security." How would THAT change your life, ACES II?

Where will the madness end? Already so-called "secret evidence" is being used in court proceedings. I dare you to try to tell me that the defense does not need to see the evidence to make a proper defense. Pointy objects brigade continues to crack down on nail clippers, while still letting lighers through. (Am I the only person who sees an issue here?) The Constitution, the document that makes this country great, is being spit on by you, ACES II, all in the name of security. I never asked for this so-called "security." I have never felt threatened by terrorists (What is the definition of that word by the way? That seems to change basically on a weekly basis.) I am not afraid of terrorism, and I will not have my life dictated by that. All I see this enhanced security doing is pissing on the very freedoms that this country has elevated as a pillar of democracy for the past 200 years. (We don't really need the Constitution. It always made life so inconvenient for prosecutors and the government. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...m/rolleyes.gif )

For upholding the founding principles of this country, I am much more of a patriot than you could ever hope to be ACES II. So, frankly, you can take your enhanced security and shove it up your ....

Ben Franklin was right. You're just too blind to see it.

FWAAA wrote....Keep on telling yourself that you're doing the Lord's Work by searching for the sharp and pointy objects. Not everyone buys it, however.

For what it is worth, I build ejection seats used on F-15, F-16, A-10, B-1, B-2, F-117, F-22 and others. Hence the moniker. You might fly a lot, but you have never flown until you have done so in an ejection seat...LOL

ACES II, The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "There is flying, then there is flying the ACES II way."

"THE SKY IS FALLING!! THE SKY IS FALLING!!" - Chicken Little

ACES II, The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "Want to hit the sky? ACES II can get you there FAST."

You guys really crack me up with your constitution waving. I defended the constitution for 20+ years, big deal. You tear at it and wrap yourself in it all the while whining about how YOUR rights are being taken away from you. What "rights" have you personally lost? Now take a deep breath, get a paper bag to breath into if you need it. Now think REALLY hard, and ask yourself what rights you have really lost? What has the big bad government taken away from you? The right to travel? No, you fly all the time. The right to take your pocket knife or even your boxcutter with you? No, you can put it in your checked bag. All the big bad government has done is put extra security steps in place to prevent another aircraft from being used as a weapon of mass destruction. If you people spent as much time thinking about the security that is in place and dressing/packing accordingly, then I suspect that like me, you MIGHT get wanded once every 3 weeks or so if then. I might not fly as often as most of you, but I do my share travelling to various air force bases as a consultant. Do I think that the security is a hassle? Sometimes, but so what, looking at the larger picture, it is no big deal. Lighten up people and enjoy life. The nattering nabobs of negativity will not get things changed, only a change in the threat will do that.

ACES II, The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "Don't just sit there! EJECT!"

So being a screener is your part time job? Is the ejection seat business not doing so well then?

I tell you what, the day I have to depend on you to save my arse, I'll gladly kiss it good bye http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin

No tazi, I am not a screener. Lockheed is a very good company to work for and I do not need a part-time job thank you. I do have some friends who are screeners though. They sure do have some funny stories about passengers. As for your arse, you can kiss it anytime you want to.

ACES II, (Advanced Concept Ejection System 2) The number one ejection seat in service in the world today. "When your arse is on the line, ACES II will work just fine."