That depends - can I use it as a "peep stone" to see what the next idiotic security procedure might be?

"...graciously allowed to sit...? Give me a break! We aren't in prison, you know. This is really a great example of the bad attitude displayed by far too many TSA employees.

Bruce

I was being sarcastic, Bruce - should have used a smilely. I was picturing some poor crippled old soul sitting in a chair or wheelchair and being ordered to elevate his/her leg and hold it up while the wander went over it.

And how does racial profiling of dark skinned people help keep us safe against the ever-increasing threat from white right-wing extremists?[/QUOTE]


And what about the threat from white, environmentalist LEFT wing wackos who like to blow up car dealerships, set fire to ski resorts in the Rockies, and burn down homes under construction?

Besides, how often are "white right-wing extremists" hijacking planes and
flying them into buildings?

I was kind of wondering about using court-house security as a comparison given what happened last week.

Doesn't matter to me whether someone is smiling and friendly or frowning and belligerent when I am opposed to many of the policies of their employer.

I've found some European security to be just as intrusive as what I've experienced here in the US. Zurich, for example.


That stinks. The few times I've flown non-roundtrip, including a one-way ticket bought on someone else's credit card for me just a few days out did not result in the dreaded SSSS. The only time I've been SSSS'd was when I foolishly and unknowingly lost my ID and didn't have a back-up.


I can think of a couple things we've done in the recent past that we thought was right, the world didn't, but we did 'em anyway.


Doppy, I'm afraid you've directed these queries toward the wrong poster. I am not the one who suggested this, but rather, PatrickHenry1775, as can be seen in his post (#32 for reference). Hopefully he'll have an answer for you!


An excellent point.

On the subject of Europe, my experience has been:

Flying to the US - from Germany, you always get screened a second time at the gate and must take your shoes off. I very seldom see grumbling. I think it is the intimidation factor. their "TSA" guards might shoot

Flying within Europe - Germany, UK, Ireland, 99% of my travel - Never had to take my shoes off ever no matter how thick the sole. Never had a second screen, ever. Never had anyone unpack my bag, ever.

Flying to US from Ireland - security, hahahaha - but boy are those folks wonderful, courtious, kind. If they want to ask something you they will and you do get the feeling when they mean business. I once went through with Steel toed shoes (forgot to take em off ) Boy was that alarm loud! I walked back through, put em on the conveyor and then walked through again with a smile to the guard. TSA would have had me stripped and wanded.

What I have also noticed is - In all of about 50 trips, I can not recall ever seeing a non-american: slam their shoes on a belt, slam their items in a bin in anger, grumble, mutter, swear or rant at the security personel. I have been embarrassed by some americans who have done so. (accepting that my sample does not mean it doesn't happen)

Plenty of data to draw conclusions in any way you want here I would say.

PS. Summing it up, my experience does bring me to the same conclusion as FWAAA, I need to try hard to control my temper from time to time:

They're missing a few:

We pledge to subject you to a shoe carnival, regardless of shoe type, gender, race, or religion.

We pledge to harass you with a smile on our faces.

We pledge we will change policy on a whim and to suit our egos.

Just a small point. We use non-latex gloves............

Screening != searching. (does not equal for you non-computer types).

How about screening the cargo that goes under the planes?

If someone really wanted to blow up a plane, they wouldn't pack it in checked luggage or a carry-on. They'd go to the air cargo division of airlines or thru the US Mail system as they contract with airlines for space.

Sad thing is that they'd probably succeed too because there's virtually no screeing of those items.

But all the shoes will be safe.

I had to go thru Zurich on my last trip. Had a connection and had to go thru security again.

Didn't have to take off my shoes.
Didn't have to remove my laptop.
Removed my jacket.
Asked me for my passport.
Asked me to remove my ball cap. Removed it to show him there was nothing in it.

On my way in 15 seconds.

Zurich was how it should be done.

Reminds me of an article I read a while back in which the journalist posed the question "Why are liberals so intolerant of other peoples' views?". I guess they're only in favour of free speech as long as you agree with them.

BTW, I wouldn't take the comments personally. It's happened before on this forum that when people make a pro-TSA comment others make personal attacks in an effort to get the thread locked. OTOH if you can make up a silly fairy tale about how the TSA will ruin US youngsters' first experiences of true love you'll get lots of ^ ^ ^ .

Don't take away their ammo!


Better talk to Richard Reid as I think he really did want to blow up that plane... and he went the shoe (read: non-cargo) route.

And for easy reference...

Thanks for proving my point! Different people have different experiences. Just because I had to take off my shoes at ZRH and found it just as intrusive as U.S. security does not mean that everyone does. Therefore, of course, you have your impression of ZRH security and I have mine. And they're different! Just like how my impression of U.S. security is different from yours. And you know what? That's okay. No amount of whining and complaining on FT is going to change my opinion of TSA front-line employees. Until I experience something which I find objectionable, the employees of the TSA will receive the same respect which they have given to me.

And so it doesn't get lost in all the complaints on this thread:

And thanks to all the pax that jumped his behind that actually prevented him from doing it.

Screening for it didn't do jack. It was the pax acting when they saw something suspiscious that prevented a tragedy.

One man trying something does not a universal threat make.

Being different is one thing. Being different while having ones civil liberties infringed on is another story.

I've said that the screeners at IAD a couple weeks ago were nice and professional when I got my secondary. That doesn't mean that I didn't think i wasn't harrased for not removing my shoes.

Best US airport for security I've experienced: ORD. After seeing the lines at the United ticket counter on my way home, I expected long lines in security. No line, no wait, no BS.

Security doesn't HAVE to be intrusive, which is the WHOLE POINT. I was glad I wasn't harassed and I in no way felt any less safe.