Security - Does this make sense?
Jan 10, 2002 | 7:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: chicago, il, usa
Posts: 331
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?
Jan 10, 2002 | 9:43 am
#2
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
There's nothing logical about security these days. 
------------------
"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." - Ben Franklin
------------------
"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." - Ben Franklin
Jan 10, 2002 | 9:45 am
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL and Hong Kong - United 1K Since 2000
Posts: 4,344
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?
------------------
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
------------------
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
Jan 10, 2002 | 9:55 am
#4
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The banks of the river, Styx
Posts: 1,692
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mrbally:
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?</font>
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?</font>
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).]
Jan 10, 2002 | 10:17 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Mineral Point, PA
Programs: No status
Posts: 104
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jacque:
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.</font>
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.</font>
Jan 10, 2002 | 11:24 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: source of weird and eccentric ideas
Posts: 40,075
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.
It's all designed to give air travellers the feeling of security. Nothing to do with reality.
Jan 10, 2002 | 2:50 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Bethesda, MD USA
Posts: 2,802
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
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.</font>
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.</font>
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.
Jan 10, 2002 | 2:58 pm
#8
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
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!"
------------------
"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." - Ben Franklin
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!"
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mdtony:
But then didn't the system do its job? It kept a terrorist off a plane so it was successful.</font>
But then didn't the system do its job? It kept a terrorist off a plane so it was successful.</font>
------------------
"Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither." - Ben Franklin
Jan 10, 2002 | 4:58 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: so. Cal. LAX - Premier Exec; Hilton Gold
Posts: 280
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
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!"
</font>
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!"
</font>
Jan 10, 2002 | 7:32 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold
Posts: 3,640
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.
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.
Jan 11, 2002 | 9:18 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Here and there...
Posts: 1,505
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff:
There's nothing logical about security these days.
</font>
There's nothing logical about security these days.
</font>
Jan 11, 2002 | 9:57 am
#12
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA Gold, Cattle Class
Posts: 295
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 message has been edited by ConsultantA (edited 01-11-2002).]
Jan 11, 2002 | 8:28 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Sacramento, Ca USA
Programs: United 1K MM - 1.7M actually, Marriott Platinum Premier, Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,231
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ConsultantA:
[B]Just read the USA today and it says starting from next friday all bags would be screened, now that would be a nightmare.......
B]</font>
[B]Just read the USA today and it says starting from next friday all bags would be screened, now that would be a nightmare.......
B]</font>
Travel on Friday, Jan 18 may be really difficult if airlines actually inspect every single bag. Remember that you read it here first :-)
Jan 12, 2002 | 6:44 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
.
[This message has been edited by hillrider (edited 01-12-2002).]
[This message has been edited by hillrider (edited 01-12-2002).]
Jan 12, 2002 | 6:48 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by *HyghFlyah*:
I was actually glad that the people searched did seem random - no minorities or certain racial groups were specifically targeted yesterday at SFO.</font>
I was actually glad that the people searched did seem random - no minorities or certain racial groups were specifically targeted yesterday at SFO.</font>
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).]