A security observation at SMF
Oct 12, 2001 | 12:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,291
A security observation at SMF
I flew from Sacramento to Portland yesterday on Horizon Airlines. After arriving at the gate area, the airline rep called out the names of random passengers to be placed in a secure area away from other passengers. These dozen or people were subjected (no one was offended) to a wand scan and a carry-on baggage inspection. Most of the people were caucasian mom and pop types but I noticed a few foreigners in the mix as well. One man was speaking French.
I believe what I witnesses was a way to get around racial profiling. In other words, feel free to racial profile but make sure you mix them in with a bunch of non-profile "placebo" folks as well. Very interesting indeed. I support this move.
Oh, I also got to fly down to SMF and back on the brand new Horizon Canadair CRJ-700 series. Pretty darn big for a regional jet!
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I believe what I witnesses was a way to get around racial profiling. In other words, feel free to racial profile but make sure you mix them in with a bunch of non-profile "placebo" folks as well. Very interesting indeed. I support this move.
Oh, I also got to fly down to SMF and back on the brand new Horizon Canadair CRJ-700 series. Pretty darn big for a regional jet!
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Addicted to airline miles? Check out: Mileage Workshop
Oct 12, 2001 | 6:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: FLA US CP DL PM CO PE
Posts: 124
Same thing happened on my flight from Baltimore to Tampa today. When I checked in, the agent put a big mark on my boarding pass and told me that I had been randomly selected for a secondary security check. At the gate, I was taken to a separate area and my bag was hand searched (everything removed and put back in), I got the wand, and I was patted down. There were about a dozen others, all were of Middle eastern background--Muslim, Hindu, etc. I agree with the notion that it is a way around racial profiling...I guess I was the token white.
This was my first experience of this in all my travels since the attacks. I ponder if it is related to the "increased threat" the FBI announced yesterday.
This was my first experience of this in all my travels since the attacks. I ponder if it is related to the "increased threat" the FBI announced yesterday.
Oct 14, 2001 | 7:46 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,064
The two times I have been "randomly" screened in the boarding area, I had advance notice of the increased scrutiny. Delta printed "SELECTEE" on my boarding card and Continental printed "QUEST" on my boarding card. The Continental agent took things a step further by informing me of what would happen and highlighting "QUEST."
Oct 14, 2001 | 8:05 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 19
Minor quibble: Muslim and Hindu denote religions, not parts of the world. They are not synonymous with the Middle-East, especially not Hindus, who are primarily orginated from India, Nepal, and parts of Indonesia (Bali) -- all places far from what one might consider "Middle East".
(in response to)
"There were about a dozen others, all were of Middle eastern background--Muslim, Hindu, etc. I agree with the notion that it is a way around racial profiling...I guess I was the token white."
(in response to)
"There were about a dozen others, all were of Middle eastern background--Muslim, Hindu, etc. I agree with the notion that it is a way around racial profiling...I guess I was the token white."