Security - Does this make sense?
 

Check in yesterday for an ORD-DCA round trip. My boarding pass had 4 bold print Ss on it. Now I'm not the brightest bulb, but I guessed that meant I was going to be a "random" pat down at the gate. Sure enough, got the full treatment, to include shoes. So, what is the point of letting the traveller know ahead of time that he/she is going to be searched and, by extension, that if you don't have the SSSS designation you're not going to be searched?

There's nothing logical about security these days. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

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"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." - Ben Franklin

I was actually glad that the people searched did seem random - no minorities or certain racial groups were specifically targeted yesterday at SFO. I was searched, but I didn't have SSSS printed. My BP was issued in HKG for SFO-ORD... do they print SSSS randomly systemwide or just at domestic airports?

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When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

- Leonardo da Vinci

Does it matter if you know or not, I mean what are you going to do NOT get on the plane ? If you are a bad guy and deside NOT to get on the plane to do bad things then mission accomplished.

[This message has been edited by Jacque (edited 01-10-2002).]

Exactly; furthermore not having SSSS doesn't mean that you will not be searched; I've certainly been searched without my BP having no special notation. Hence, a lack of SSSS does not tell a terrorist that he's free and clear.

If a terrorist gets the dreaded "S" will he or she go through security? Of course not.

It's all designed to give air travellers the feeling of security. Nothing to do with reality.

But then didn't the system do its job? It kept a terrorist off a plane so it was successful.

The problem with terrorism is that we'll never know how many people we catch or how many acts we prevent.

Unfortunately, we will only see the negative when we fail.

Lisa Simpson (paraphrased): "That's specious logic."

Homer: "What do you mean?"

Lisa: "This rock keeps tigers away."

Homer: "Really? How does it work?"

Lisa: "Well, I don't see any tigers around here, do you?"

Homer: "Hmmm... Lisa, I want to buy your rock!"

Spiff: "Hey, Norman! I got a rock to sell ya!"



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"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." - Ben Franklin

Too funny, Spiff!

But if you have the SSSS you will already know that you have been profiled, because your checked bags will be examined or x-rayed in your presence.

Also, pax without SSSS get searched,but an obvious loophole is just to board, right after someone has been pulled out of line for searching.

I absolutely agree...

Just read the USA today and it says starting from next friday all bags would be screened, now that would be a nightmare.......

[This message has been edited by ConsultantA (edited 01-11-2002).]

This story has not gotten much press - yet. Only USA Today has covered it so far.
Travel on Friday, Jan 18 may be really difficult if airlines actually inspect every single bag. Remember that you read it here first :-)

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[This message has been edited by hillrider (edited 01-12-2002).]

Are you saying that our money is being squandered in searching 80-year old invalids and the likes -- just so that searches appear to be random?

I sure hope that they're "profiling" heavily--and not only on age, disability, sex, travel history, criminal record, but also on country of birth, race, and any other trait that will make our dollars and limited resources more effective.

After all, that is what El Al does -- and I haven't seen anyone proposing that it be banned from flying into the US because of its "profiling" practices.

[This message has been edited by hillrider (edited 01-12-2002).]