Drop Some Security
 

Drop Some Security

AA CEO Urges Some Airport Security Measures Be Dropped

AA chief Donald Carty said Friday another terrorist attack against commercial airlines was unlikely and urged some security measures added at airports be dropped.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/020531/japan...irlines_1.html

Don rocks! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

So happy to have switched to AA!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

"It will be a hollow victory indeed if the system we end up with is so onerous and so difficult that air travel, while obviously more secure, becomes more trouble for the average person than it is worth" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

"He said screening passengers at the gate after doing so at the security checkpoint merely added to costs and customer hassles." http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

Definately a thumbs up from me as well (if I can figure out what the UBB code is)

I was late catching a flight sunday at DTW, incoming was 45 mins late, got to the gate with 15 mins to spare. No one in front of me, guess what the gate agent did "Sir, please step aside for additional security screening" what BS! I drop my bags for the one screener, dump the stuff out of my pockets and assume the position, get that all done (no beeps at all) and sit down to wait for them to find nothing in my carry-on.

The FAA needs to beef up the security check-points, have intelligent people who are empowered to make rational decisions and let us be on our way. This "random" first person in line "selection" or "give the screener something to do" effort always makes me laugh at how pathetic our security system has become.

I think Don made his bed and now he needs to lie in it! We've all lamented here about how the hassle of flying is having more effect on low profits than the economy.

After 9/11 the airlines, AA included, fell all over themselves to have the federal government take over security. They supported it unilaterally. Why? Because they thought they could pass the buck and the responsibility - and the cost - on to someone else. So, Don Carty, Gordon Bethun, Leo Mullin, et al got exactly what they wished for. Now they're whining about the results.

The AIRLINES themselves created this monster. And now, folks are driving 500 miles instead of flying. Be careful what you wish for!

I've said all along that the current security measures are more of a PR show than anything else. But the airlines couldn't wait to pass this stuff off on the incompetent federal government.

Do it once - do it right.

I was gate screened the last leg yesterday. I'm not at all clear what they are looking far. I was wearing an electronic air purifier around my neck - no comment. I had a computer, battery and charger which wasn't inspected at the gate. I had lots of odd things in plastic bottles and bags in my toiletries, two bottles of water, batteries for the air purifier, two foam cushions, ... All of this was looked at, moved around, every zipper unzipped and luggage pocket probed, but nothing was worth any inspection.

It was painless, but I was dealing with how my avoidance system had failed <smile>. I no longer try for the front of the line, try to blend, don't wear bright colors, ... . I was the second selectee; this checker moved about 10 people down the line to choose me <smile/sigh>.

Well, I think a significant share of the people who are driving 500 miles instead of flying are reacting more to what they THINK airport security is about these days than what is actually taking place. Others are just fearful of flying because of all the hoopla. An example: in the regional airport that I fly out of, there has been additional security since 9/11, but not anything that would involve a lot of time or effort on the part of passengers. Simply put, it shouldn't have much impact on somebody's plans. Still, there are people who THINK it's a big deal and avoid it on the basis of what they IMAGINE it to be. These are folks that never flew much to begin with, but losing even relatively infrequent customers in large numbers certainly makes a difference across the system. There is no question that security has made air travel a bit more of a hassle. But people whining about it -- and yes, some of it IS dumb -- is doing some damage of its own, too, I think.

When push comes to shove perception is all there is. SO, what they think IS IT!

Air travel confidence up: CASA

Australians were becoming more confident about air travel despite the events of September 11, a new national survey has revealed.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) commissioned survey found 75 per cent of respondents were highly confident about the safety of major airline flights.

This was a five per cent rise in confidence on a similar survey 18 months ago.

CASA's director of aviation safety Mick Toller said the survey also showed they expected continued effective surveillance of the aviation industry by CASA.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Business/story_32857.asp

I agree with Mr. Carty 100%. The "final boarding" check is "dumber than rocks. " It does nothing except harass passengers. If Norn Manetta wasn't such a wimp and would PROFILE passsengers as to risk (ie ethnic origin and/or religion) none of us would have to put up with this stupidity they call security. When was the last time an 60 year old lady hijacked a plane?
The present situation will do nothing but kill the airlines if it is allowed to continue as it presently exists. Frequent flyers and business travelers are fed up with this stupidity.

There is just as much risk in doing profiling if it starts totally ignoring certain categories. The 60 year old lady could end up being a mule for the illicit items that someone wanted taken on. Profiling + random checks make much more sense to me. If anything should be addressed , it is perhaps the efficiancy of the screening. e.g. are there enough staff and metal detectors for peak times... are people who are held up being processed in a timely manner.

Dave

The stupidest aspect of the "random" secondary screening at the gate is how easy it is to avoid. Just wait until the screeners are busy with someone else and saunter on board -- no problemo! Does anyone believe that the terrorists haven't figured this out?

Bruce

Agents at SLC Airport Filed Olympic Security Complaint

Federal agents assigned to Salt Lake City during the Winter Olympics were so upset about airport security lapses -- and their supervisors' refusal to correct them -- that they enlisted a retired colleague to forward their complaints to national headquarters.
The Transportation Security Administration's response: Transfer the troublemakers.
On Feb. 19, retired Federal Aviation Administration agent Brian Sullivan e-mailed the agents' concerns to TSA head John Magaw. But rather than address the agents' message, Sullivan says, Magaw went after the messengers.
"Within a few days after sending the e-mail to Magaw, several agents -- including some of the more vocal ones -- were reassigned from Salt Lake," Sullivan said.

http://www.sltrib.com/06032002/utah/742419.htm

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Allied Pilots Association Responds to American Airlines CEO Don Carty's Remarks Concerning Aviation Security: Union Says System Needs More Security, Not Less

The 11,000 pilots of American Airlines and the 2,300 pilots of TWA LLC, (NYSE:AMR - News), as represented by the Allied Pilots Association, question the wisdom behind recent remarks attributed to American Airlines Chairman and CEO Donald Carty that appear to advocate a relaxation of aviation security.

According to an article in the June 1 edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "Carty told a crowd at the American Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo that another terrorist attack against commercial airlines is unlikely." The article further noted that "the American CEO also repeated his previous call that some of the increased and redundant security measures implemented at airports since Sept. 11 be dropped."

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020604/40636_1.html

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Guns...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2002Jun3.html

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 06-05-2002).]

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Prohibited? Yes. Dangerous? Give me a break. Only a few of the items on the wacky List-o-prohibited items could possibly bring down a plane. And no one is going to hijack a plane with any of them.

"Given the number of dangerous, prohibited items that screeners at the checkpoints have failed to detect, eliminating the additional security of gate screening at this juncture seems especially ill advised," said Darrah.



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry