I've had it. Any frequent flier knows that the security measures at the airports will not deter terrorism. I'm tired of having my personal items touched and rearranged and held up for everyone in the area to see. Not that I have anything interesting in there...but it's the idea of it! Yes, I DO mind if you touch me! Yes, I DO mind removing my shoes while they "run them through again." Really, isn't this all illegal? Don't we have a constitutional right not to be searched unless there's probable cause? I'm a white woman in my 40's...where's the probable cause? I'm platinum so obviously I've been flying a lot and haven't terrorized anyone yet! I'm just sick of it all. I've crossed the line! The only one hurt by this will be Continental because I practically can't stand it anymore! I want to be safe; I want my friends and family to be safe in the air, too. But these airline security efforts won't stop some nut case with an agenda. And they're trouncing on our civil rights. Does anyone know where I can find a group to throw join to protest this blatent disregard for our constitutional rights?

http://www.flexyourrights.org/faq.html#11

Interesting link LarryJ, thanks.

I believe you can choose between the Republican and the Democratic parties.
Take your pick.



-- Dambus

So there are no White 40 year old Women who may be a danger to others . Platinum, so what , might just mean that the passenger has been travelling a lot looking for the softest target ! Not sure they'd join an FF scheme though it might be good cover.

Nigel

Don't forget that the meatball-terrorists were infiltrated into our society for more than 10 years. One man had clean-cut look and carried nothing but a brief-case - whowouldathunk? While I agree how much I despise the searches and such, and don't make me feel any safer, there is no alternative to this new life which has changed forever...enough said.

Just like to add that we in the UK have been subject to various security " inconveniences " for many years and it just becomes a way of life. God forbid that the US has to go through the years of bombings that we experienced with the IRA, but maybe that's the only way that people will realise they are neccessary.

I know some of you guys think that the searches are unconstitutional, that may well be, I don't even pretend to know but one thing I am sure of.Your constitutional rights are of no use whatsoever if you're dead.


Nigel

www.lp.org

A much better choice!

cthvglm, I deeply sympathize with you.

Write your representatives, cooperate begrudgingly at the airport, and report each and every instance of harassment at 866-289-9673

The crap that passes for "security" may currently be legal, but that doesn't mean we can't change it.

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

spiff...
Exactly... The situation can ... and MUST change. That's the foundation of our country. I DO smile and cooperate. In fact, I go overboard to be nice. The security folks are not the problem. The problem lies with our "homeland security" initiative. It's not working...

Actually, I can't recall the last time a 40-year-old white woman hijacked an aircraft. Also, at the current time, I don't know of any organizations of 40-year-old white women that have issued threats against the United States or its allies.

Not that I favor anything other than consistent, documented, and fair security procedures for all passengers, regardless of sex or race. I'm just pointing out the facts.

By the way, cthvglm, welcome to FT! You will find quite a few security-related threads (including a lot of rants) in Travelbuzz. I sympathize with your concerns!

I'm sure you don't look any more dangerous than Squeaky Fromme probably did (until she pulled out the gun). Why, you probably look as clean cut and all american as that kid who served in Desert Storm, what was his name? Oh, yeah, Timothy McVeigh. Or how about the 12 year old kid they nabbed at JFK recently, whose parent had put him on a plane, all alone, as a mule filled with 40 or 50 balloons of cocaine. I am sure no one would ever use a kid to smuggle terrorist devices onto an airplane. And if Richard Reid was still flying, I am sure it would never occur to him to have a nice 40-year old woman such as yourself carry the bomb in their shoes, instead of his own next time. So, I agree, you should be exempt from the security screening.

Djlawman

Just my two cents. Others, of course, may and will disagree.

This is what I mean, complete naivety where terrorism is concerned, welcome to the World !

Age, Colour, sex and travel patterns define terrorists? believe me it does not. Terror comes from within as well as from outside. You want to look for female terrorists look to the IRA, the PLO, ETA etc.

I've just done a search on the IRA and came up with this http://members.yahoo.com/interests/I...RA_-1600579835

It's a forum for people " interested " in the IRA, sure it might all be baloney but who knows ? There are Females listed in the members section as being from Sweden , Norway and the USA. Ages are supposedly 18,22,35 and 37 plus another that hasn't disclosed her age.

There is always someone who will listen to fanatics no matter what their background or upbringing and I hate to say this but religion tends to be a big part of it, not race,age, sex or FF accounts.


Nigel

Beergut, please go back and read the rest of my post.

No. You have a constitutional right to take the bus rather than fly. But buying an air ticket means you give implied consent to be searched in order to insure your compliance with security regulations.

I'm not sure what you want INSTEAD, cthvglm... you want to fly safe, but you don't want a security hassle?

In airports where TSA has taken over the situation is vastly improved. Delays are minimal and the whiteshirts are brisk, courteous and thoroughly professional.

This is what life is like from now on. Deal with it or deal with Greyhound.