rkkwan

Let me just present two facts:

- Online check-in (and printing BPs) are available for flights to and from TLV on various airlines.

- El Al has OLCI (and allowing printing BPs).

I'd say if the Israelis think they are okay, we should too.

NoFlyZone

Remember, too, that technically an ID, whether real or fake, is NOT needed to go through security. Of course, that will trigger secondary screening, but so would many other causes.

Checking IDs, anywhere, is only eyewash for the law-abiding, and has nothing to do with security.

rkkwan

That's why at most US airports, it's not TSA who check ID and boarding passes at the entrance to the line, but a 3rd party agent. One needs to hold his/her BP through the actual metal detector, but most of time those don't get checked.

CarolA

"That's why at most US airports, it's not TSA who check ID and boarding passes at the entrance to the line, but a 3rd party agent. One needs to hold his/her BP through the actual metal detector, but most of time those don't get checked."

Well, personally I figure the 3rd party is every bit a competent as your average TSA agent.

Once again someone is trying to treat the symptoms instead of the disease.

The TSA discovers SHOE bombs. Thier ressponse BAN LIGHTERS!

The TSA discovers Liquid bombs (Took them 10 years after the first one but...) Thier response BAN LIQUIDS

Here's a hint... the problem was NOT lighters and liquids, the problem was EXPLOSIVES. Perhaps instead of worrying about printing multiple copies of boarding passes the TSA should focus on FINALLY implementing machines that check for the DISEASE.

(And in those few places where they have put in new technology it's a JOKE!!! The passenger picks which line to go thru. Let's see I am a terrorist, will I got thru the machine that detects explosives or the other one? And even better, take your shoes off. The place MOST LIELY to have explosive residue is the SHOES, but we put them thru and xray machine)

Sue_xx_yy

No matter how lax and lazy we might all be, the fact remains, one can print a fake boarding pass, one can print a fake id, but one cannot print a seat. When 150 people try to board a 100 seat plane, or even if 2 legitimate passengers find they are assigned the same seat, objections will be raised. Terrorists will not want to risk being exposed prior to carrying out their mission, and what better way to be generate attention to oneself, then to be found with a fake boarding pass? (When it comes to the priorities of terrorists, one suspects getting on board for free is not high on the list.)

As for circumventing security checks for no-fly passengers, no-fly lists, etc., can (at best) catch KNOWN terrorists. (Terrorists, like the Marines, conduct regular recruiting drives....)

Meanwhile, why bother going through the hassle of storming a plane when you can kill far more people by bombing the airport, including all the crowds of people standing in line for boarding passes, etc.?

caribtraveler

First of all, being bored and lazy has NOTHING to do with it. It's about efficiency, streamlining, etc... Most companies (and not just airlines) look for ways to do things the least expensive way.

I'll remind you that Richard Reid aka the shoe bomber did go through a "live" person. The airline employee thought he was suspicious. They questioned him but because they had nothing on him, they let him go (too late for him to make his flight). He came back the next day and got on the flight. The point is if the terrorist-wanna-be has no record, he will use his own name and pay for his own ticket. There are more chances of getting caught trying to get through security with something fake.

Unfortunately, I think they are a lot of them with don't know about (just my personal opinion). By the way, regarding you singing the praises of El Al... if you've ever read the story of Richard Reid, you'd know that he has flown on El Al. He didn't have a shoe bomb but this happened AFTER he had chosen to become a Jihadist. So much for looking for "behavorial signs of a potential troublemaker".

So for me, the key is for intelligence agencies to do their jobs and get the terrorists as they're planning and before they try anything. That's what worked when the Brits stopped that last big plot. I'm sure what I'm about to say will enflame people but I have no problems with phone tapping, etc... and believe me when I tell you I'm not a supporter of the Bush Administration. I think the reality is that we live in a very different world with a lot of people who hate us and don't mind dying to prove their point. The government can listen to my conversations any time. I have nothing to hide. They'll just be bored to tears.

lynnejoel1015

caribtraveler, have you read 1984? I really think you should. It's truly scary how quickly our civil liberties can be eroded. I honestly don't mean to flame your post, and I assure you, my blood pressure isn't even up. But I disagree with the idea that the government should be able to conduct warrentless wire taps. It's simply unconstitutional.

caribtraveler

lynnejoel: I don't think expressing your opinion in a polite manner is flaming me. You're expressing your belief and that's fine with me. We just disagree. Don't misunderstanding me, I'm not totally comfortable with what the govt. wants to do or does, but I'm willing to lose some of my rights if need be... It's the lesser of 2 evils, in my opinion.

AAFrequentFlyer

<b>caribtraveler</b>,

With all due respect, because I do agree with you on the rest of your post, but for the last part, here is a thought:

<i>Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.</i>

caribtraveler

AA: With all due respect, we'll disagree. We all have different opinions of what's most important to us. That doesn't make you right and me wrong, and vice versa.

HKP

It isn't just whether or not someone can listen to everything you say, it's whether they then can then do anything they want with what they hear.

You'd be surprised how far someone can take an innocent remark if they already have an agenda. Did you ever joke about one or another president over the phone? Wiretaps tend not to have a sense of humor.

On the other hand, you have to have a very competent, efficient, and organized bureaucracy to be really good at using massive numbers of wiretaps. I have far more faith in administrative incompetence than I do in their good intentions.

AAFrequentFlyer

Nothing wrong with having different opinions. That's why we should use every means possible to protect that right...

Anyways, I'm on my way to Amsterdam and Brussels....

See YAs!


Reporting from TPA! (free wi-fi)

lynnejoel1015

it's great when people can agree to disagree and engage in debate in a responsible, respectful manner.

that's what keeps democracies ticking!