I was delighted to read about yesterday's TSA press conference in which director James Loy announced the TSA's plan to make travel "less onerous."

All I can say is "Hallelujah!"

They're thinking of getting rid of the idiot security questions... even El Al has stopped extesnive interviewing at Ben Gurion Airport. Besides, the respondent's behavior, not the answer to the questions, was considered to be more significant. Psychological analysis of every passenger is an awful lot to ask of skycaps and ticket agents!

The questions were also designed to identify naive passengers carrying explosive incendiary devices. The famous case--involving the girlfriend of a terrorist at Heathrow--has often been misinterpreted.

Coffee and food are no longer subject to on-site taste tests. (My sister was once asked to open a bottle of wine... she explained that she'd need a corskscrew, which would be forbidden.) And no more breast milk issues!

Above all, Director Loy underscored threat most passengers are not security threats, so efforts should be concentrated on passengers who raise eyebrows.

Some of the more visible frisking and searching pleases leisure travellers--still wary of flying. But I think most of us who are very frequent flyers recognize that these efforts offer only a false sense of security.

My hope is that some of the "randomness" will be taken away. Terrorism isn't random, so let's concentrate on finding patterns, risk factors, and so forth (can you tell I'm an epidemiologist.)

I've already sent a praise-filled email to the FAA; I'd encourage like-minded FlyerTalkers to do the same. The public comments email address is: [email protected]

Happy landings,
Mats.

a very small step. i would like to see them put in a directive that you may collect your stuff from the machine and keep it with you while it is searched and/or you are being wanded.

Has anyone else noticed a BIG improvement in airport security personnel overall? The employees seem to be a totally different caliber of people. They seem much more intelligent and are much more courteous. The lines seem to be much shorter now as well. I guess the big question is whether or not we're any safer than before 9/11.

Unfortunately, I will believe it when I see it

Neal,

To the first half of your question. Yes, but only when the checkpoint is staffed with TSA employees.

To the second half of your question, NO. We are no safer now than we were on 9/10. This is a monumental waste of taxpayer money.

We are safer today than we were before 9/11.

Part of the higher degree of professionalism is undoubtedly the result of attracting employees who enjoy the increased pay and authority of the positions.

Hopefully, things will continue getting better!

What we really need to do is turn back the clock about a year and a half.

Last fall and winter we had crappy, slow moving security and great airlines.

Now we're going to get less hassle at security, but airlines that look like WN or go out of business (or take our taxpayer money and blow it).

A year and a half ago we were skating through security into nice clubs with food and then right into a first class seat with a good meal and service.

d

Where did you see this?

"An End to the Passenger Interrogations"
03 July 2002

www.airlinequality.com/news/ben_gurion.htm

And one more reason...
As you know, US owned carriers employ an El Al-style interviewing process: questioning at check-in and again prior to boarding. This system didn't stop Richard Reid from boarding an American Airlines flight at Paris/de Gaulle.

[This message has been edited by Mats (edited 08-23-2002).]

Until aiport security is reduced to only searching people who actually have criminal intent or who actually have items dangerous to the operation of the aircraft, I will not be satisfied!