Flying today in BF lgw-iah-phx, I couldn't help but notice while walking through immigration I see that the US Immigration officers are armed. Why?? Anyone they encounter is coming off a security cleared flight. I guess I don't know why they are packing heat.

Rant # 2. The walking escalators. Why do people stand like it's a ride? Are we that lazy in this country? I'm not talking about elders or others who have difficulty walking. I'm talking about folks who have zero problems walking but are too lazy to do so.

Perhaps the people who aren't walking have a blister or a bad knee or are exhausted from travelling for ages. All you have to say is excuse me and they will let you by.

"ANOTHER F***ING STEP WITH THAT PAPAYA AND I'LL BLOW YOUR F***ING HEAD OFF!"

A dramatic example, but I think it makes sense for the guards to be armed because even though they may have cleared security somewhere, security isn't the same everywhere. It may be a lot easier to sneak a kilo of cocaine from Nicaragua than it is from say... New York City. And if you are a professional drug mule, your living depends on getting whatever it is to the "consumer" and the money is good, it would take a lot to stop you from running out of the airport at full speed, i.e. a gun.

And yes, a lot of people are lazy, but it's pretty great when you've been hauling a heavy carry-on for 1/4 of a mile.

As long as they stand to the side, why would you possibly care? Do you know what someone with a heart condition looks like? How about someone who twisted their ankle getting off the plane?

I mean, really, why is everyone so judgmental? As long as they're not in your way, what possible business is it of yours whether they want to ride or walk?

Well the problem is #1, in the USA, most folks don't understand "stand right, walk left"; and #2 I see able teens, adults, and sorry to say, overweight folks just standing there like it's a bloody ride. Give me a break with the heart condition/ankle rhetoric...please...

Probably to impress people or as extra deterrent (whether or not the armaments would actually be helpful in the situation). I've seen heavily armed people in other countries' airports as well (e.g. Canada, Hong Kong).

And that's a legitimate gripe -- it's rude to block the walkway. However, that wasn't the rant.

Yeah, so? Again, what business is it of yours if they're able teens or overweight folks?

Sure. Just explain why it's any of your business why someone decides to stand rather than walk, irrespective of whether they have a bad heart or are just plain lazy. I always walk, primarily because I hate terminals and want to get to the gate/club room/exit as quickly as possible. However, it wouldn't occur to me mentally condemn people I pass on the way because I'm walking and they're not.

I mean, seriously -- what business is it of yours? Why would you even care, as long as they're not in your way? I really don't get why it's an issue for you at all.

1) Why *wouldn't* the customs folks have guns? It's not about matching the arms of your adversary, it's a tool to do a job. Just because there is little to no chance of someone pulling a gun on them does not mean they may have to resort to deadly force at some point - requiring a gun. If some guy is found to have a bag of coke, and he whips out a knife and starts threatening to stab anyone who stands in his way, he needs to be shot. No shooting in the leg stuff either - right for the center of mass - killshot. That's how it works.

2) It is annoying *if* the people are in your way. If they are not, who cares? I've had days where I was so tired I just couldn't take another step -the moving conveyor is a helpful tool to make these times easier. I'm an able bodied man but I'd hope nobody would pass judgement on me for this. After all, I could be tired - maybe I have a bad ankle you can't see (I do actually), maybe my shoes are slipping and giving me a blister, maybe, maybe..... maybe anything. Who cares? If they are blocking the conveyor, they are rude ignoramus' and should be politely told to move it, but if they are on their own side - so what?

This is a joke right?

I hope so...but perhaps not.

It is agency policy; most require sworn personnel to be armed at all times while on duty.

Chime me in with another vote for:

No problem if you're not walking on the moving walkways/escalators...IF you're observing the proper "stand right/walk left" protocol. Further, slightly annoying, but still no "real" problem, if I have to say "Excuse me, passing thru" to those violating said protocol, but who still promptly move aside (and often apologize).

However, PROBLEM, and will earn you a hearty and stern, "Anyone ever teach you Stand Right/Walk Left?" from me, if you dare to display a lack of disability and ANY sort of "attitude" when I politely excuse myself while trying to pass you by. And yes, it does happen more often than you would think.

Additional add-on to this discussion: PROBLEM with groups of people/family walking 3 or more abreast through an airport or other concourse, preventing faster walkers from passing by without having to somehow break through them. More than a few members of these groups have felt the wrath of a shoulder check from me (a collision I pretty much always win at 6'3" and just over 300 lbs) as I've rushed through them to make a tight flight connection in MEM's relatively narrow corridors. Clueless.

What's wrong with letting the escalator take you up or down? Maybe people have a lot of luggage they'd rather take a break from carrying. For those who don't want to walk up or down the escalator, they should stay to the right (at least in the US) and let those of us who want to walk have the ability to do so on the left.

By the way, what is the difference between an escalator and a "walking" escalator. They both move you up and down, right?

Your right, it's not my business and perhaps I have too much time on my mind I should have revised the rant to reflect why it usually bothers me--when it is blocked by folks in the left side.

I fear you maybe right. I might point out a few things though.

1. I would hope that an immigration officer would not discharge his gun in a crowded airport even if he was hunting a drug mule or a wayward papaya.

2. Since when is it the job of outbound security at any airport to screen for drugs, they seem to have a hard enough time checking that our water isn't explosive to we really need to give them something else to make sure we are not carrying?

3. As for jerry_pharm's example of Nicaragua, wouldn't it be more likely that it would come across the pourous land border between US and Mexico?