samting

I am always bemused at the current state of affairs, and sad to think we may have been deluded into thinking we are safer just because they are fussing more. Doesn't seemt to be any rhyme or reaso to the way it goes. Instance just last week: I walked thru with bracelets dangline, a violin with metal sholder support and wire strings inside--they didn't even give it look, never mind a second one. My DH, who has an artifical hip and medical certificate to prove it and no other metal on his person (and he is a retired gentleman, who gave up a top secret clearance when he retired) is hassled, undressed, scanned up, down and sideways. After all the makeup in plastic bags, no one even looked in there. This routine never fails to add time and frustration to our exit from any county. Where's the logic??? Wish I felt all the fuss made it safer,b ut I think we SHOULD profile people and if they look as if they might be sceptical,then single them out. It's the only logical way.

Loki

While I feel your pain of being hassled, the mossad (in my opinion, the most effective anti-terrorism organization in the world) has debunked the effectiveness of profiling. When we look at 9-11, yes, all of the terrorists fit some sort of profile. But if we rely on profiling, the terrorists aren't that dumb that they won't simply paradigm shift the profile, they've done it before in Israel and elsewhere.

With that said, I've seen plenty of ineffective, assinine things take place in the security line.

SharonG

This sums up my feeling about airport security:
"We are all just prisoners here, it could be heaven, it could be hell".

LilyLace

Yes but with "Mirrors on the ceiling and
Pink champagne on ice" who could ask for a better place?

GoTravel

I'd bet the passengers on AA flights 175, 11, 75 and United 93 would have appreciated security 'fussing' more.

Dick

It does seem like much of the US security procedures are more for show.

I would welcome more money and attention being spent on security.

The link below will take you to an informative article on what the we could learn from Israeli security

http://tinyurl.com/fmgxm

TxTravelPro

Sorry, I usually don't take the bait but this time I will... profiling does work to some extent. Certainly much better than shaking down a senior citizen from Minnisota and ignoring the Saudi citizen who 'looks suspicious'... to avoid hurting his feelings.
I think we should employ the same strategy as El Al. It would be a hassle but we would be safer.

samting

And the other question in at least my mind is, whose's inspecting the cargo, and/or the folks who handle it? How thoroughly do they look in the checked baggage? At least at our airport, many of the attendants hardly speak English. Are they citizens, do they submit to a background check, where do their loyalties lie? These are some questions I would like answered, just after they throw away my expensive lipstick.!!

TheWeasel

How do you know the baggage handlers don't speak much English? How much contact have you had with them?

As for profiling, I would think you would all know it's not just based on looks. They watch for people that are acting oddly, nervous, can't answer simple questions without getting confused, etc. Read the link that Dick provided. It's not as simple as pulling the Middle Eastern people into a separate line.

P.S. There are senior citizens from Minnesota of every ethnicity and background. El Al would talk to just about each and every one of them to determine if they were a threat.

TxTravelPro

Right Weasel... we are in agreement, I just said it wrong.
A long time ago I watched a documentary about El Al security and it was just incredible. They live in a place where everyone is a potential enemy. They have found pregnant women who posed a threat. It's all done using a logical, analytical process and excellent interrogation skills.
A lot of hassle for travelers.

You are not going to believe this... and I am sure to get flamed for this comment BUT at DFW this week, one of the TSA agents that checked my ID was mentally challenged, or what ever PC word is used now days. She had Downs Syndrome or something like it... pretty mild but very obvious.
We were stunned. Not that this girl had a job, but that she was working AIRPORT SECURITY!
This Monday I asked a friend of mine who works at DFW if it was possible and she said that yes, per governmenr contractor requirements, they hire people with mental disabilities.

LilyLace

TxTravelPro, I beleive you. Anyone has gone thru TSA at Philadelphia lately will too. When we returned from Rome 2 weeks ago half the "agents" were discussing personal issues. Which included a club that many were meeting at that night.

The Weasel: "It's not as simple as pulling the Middle Eastern people into a separate line." Although I agree with you I can tell you that in London recently I witnessed just that! The agent looked at passports and then separated us by nationality, I saw for myself the extra screening entire groups (families) of Indian and Middle Eastern people experienced. I don't know the official policy there but I do know what I saw.

lightfoot

Profiling is alive and well. My DH would go into the middle eastern line as he is half Greek on his mothers side and always gets scrutinized when he flies alone. It's all insanity.

Barbara

TxTravelPro, my daughter is "mentally challenged" and I completely agree with you. Everyone has different strengths and ideally should work in the area in which they have strengths. I think this is yet another example of how lightly our government takes airport security.

TxTravelPro

My BIL is mentally impaired from lead poisoning... He is perfectly capable of holding a job but I sure would not want him to work security of any kind. Mostly because he cannot handle stress what so ever... he could totally lose it (think Rainman in the airport scene).
He needs routine and consistency to thrive. The stress of dealing with stupid, anxious or hurried travelers and bad guys is better suited to someone who has no other challenges.

offlady

The ticket agents that checked in those 9-11 terrorists had their suspicions but didn't say anything because it would fall under profiling. (remember this is before 9-11). One of those ticket agents (a woman) later committed suicide.

One of our employees took his son on the airplane during the last alert when they banned all liquids and gels. With all the tight security, his 16-year old son got through security and on the airplane with his cargo pants pockets containing bottles of pimple lotions and creams. His dad wasn't aware of it until after they were on the plane. The son said he simply forgot to pack the bottles in the suitcase and at the last minute put them into his pockets before leaving the house.