Inane Supposed Security Measures
Nov 10th, 2006 by What's Gotta Go
I just returned from a trip to New York, and I am happy to report that both directions I made my flights, they were on time, and relatively turbulence free. I guess I really have nothing to complain about, but then if that were really the case this post wouldn’t be here now would it?
Airport security, gotta have it, gotta hate it. First let me say that yes, I understand the need for security and even the stepped up security we experience these days. What has happened in this decade can only be described as an atrocity, and I can deal with the relative inconvenience of the longer lines, getting to the airport even earlier and the periodic “wanding” by a less-than-interested TSA agent.
So what am I complaining about then? What bothers me are the things that become a staple in the security line up that do nothing to really protect us, in my oh so expert opinion. The big one lately is all of our liquid items all of a sudden becoming suspect of being capable of bringing down the airplane we are boarding. Sure, there are explosives that could be hidden in them, but is “declaring” them by throwing them into a ziplock and having them pass through the x-ray machines separately making us that much safer? If this is the case, ziplock stock should be skyrocketing these days because apparently that tongue-in-groove technology they have pioneered in the plastic baggy seems to be capable of containing even small liquid explosives. Amazing!
If zip locks can do this, why don’t we make use of this incredible technology? How about placing every passengers bag into monster sized ziplock bags, or even easier, why don’t we line the entire baggage compartment and overhead storage areas with the stuff? Make sure it is the double lock variety though to be sure the blast goes nowhere.
Moving on, how about the arbitrary removal of shoes and belts. This one irks me every time as I disrobe at the entrance along with unpacking my laptop for scanning. Does our homeland security office really think they have one over on the terrorists with this one? Yes, by removing them hiding an actual metallic knife or other device might be a little harder because they are sent through for the 1 second x-ray review, but I am sure the dedicated terrorist would find a way past that one if they cared. Ever heard of say semi-rigid plastic? One would think with today’s fashions some baggy pangs would easily hide a sufficient long and deadly device that would make it past anything that could be hidden in a belt or sole of a shoe. Hopefully I haven’t given some English reading, Internet-savvy terrorist a new idea.
Lastly, just commenting the sheer idiocy of how these new measures are being crammed into our airports. Some pull it off more respectably than others. Delta at JFK isn’t one of them, at least the check-in location I was at. Lines crossed back on themselves and people were crammed up against walls while others tried to weave back against the grain to get to the baggage drop and security lines on the opposite side from where you complete the initial check-in. It can be tough to deal with additional security and the inevitable delays it creates in the short term, but we have been doing this to some degree since late 2001 so you’d think that is sufficient time to bring in a few efficiency experts. Maybe I’m just expecting too much.
Yes security measures on this level are here to stay. If I choose to fly, I choose to deal with it. But please…pretty please, do the things that actually protect us. Don’t just design hoops that create new airport jobs and make us think something is being done to make our friendly skies safe. Actually protect them in ways that work and get rid of the fluff that has become routine. Is that too much to ask?
I feel what you are saying…..what we have to remember though – is that LOTS more is going on “behind the scenes” in which is a way to protect us….that I don’t want to know or need to know. I think a lot of these “security measures” are ways to keep us feeling safe (the operative word being FEELING).I was remembering the days of way back when we could go to the gate with the passenger. That was WAY back when! But in today’s world – with the changes and fears for terrorism we can no longer just show our ticket at the gate….we need to show documentation and every liquid we use in our everyday ritual of getting ready.
What really irks me about the lines though are the passengers who walk up and act like THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THESE SECURITY MEASURES BEFORE! So they actually ask, “Do I need to take my shoes off?” “How bout my belt?” Come on! Obviously, they don’t have tv under the rock they live! LOL
Marilyn :)
Jeremy I so get what you are saying! When we travelled to New York 18 mths ago we were all amazed when on the return journey we had to take our shoes off……now I am sure you can remember that we were traipsing all over the place while we were there (can’t think why !!), and we felt for the other passengers while we all had to remove our hot and sweaty timberlands…LOL! However, here is something for you to ponder on. A few months ago we took a family holiday to Cuba. My son wanted to wear his Heeleys to travel in – I was mortified at the thought that they would be dismantling his shoes checking to see he hadn’t hidden anything suspicious in the heel, while behind me the queue was getting longer and longer and I could almost feel the force ten gales that were being emitted from all the irate Brits who were puffing and blowing tapping their feet waiting patiently (not!)while piercing me with gazes that shouted how irresponsible a parent I was to allow such a thing to happen in the first place!! Now we are talking about a 10 year old here so believe me so anything is possible! Needless to say following an indepth discuusion including many “ifs and buts” on his behalf….these were swopped for open toed sandals……phew : Mummy 1: son 0. However……….on the journey home from Cuba it was a different story entirely. Okay so the airport was a far cry from being International, and we had to pay to actually get OUT of the Country…..but their security measures were next to nothing! They had a really playful doggie going round sniffing everyone’s baggage as we checked in….looking for all the world that he hadn’t had a decent meal for ages, and was going to devour the next bag of biscuits/cakes he came across..and he came close a few times….and the mandatory walk through x ray thingy..but that was it! No bags were searched, the Cuban staff were sauntering about (and the ladies all wore such short skirts that I am sure that in itself must have been some sort of breach of seurity!)…and nobody seemed that bothered. Apart from me that is! I felt very vulnerable and spent ages watching and hoping that someone would be stopped and asked questions, searched for something, maybe dragged off by the scruff of his neck…..anything that would tell me that someone was bothering to watch out for us! But no, it wasn’t to be.
Given the option between the 2 maybe extreme safety precautions (and I use that term loosely from a Cuban viewpoint!), I know which one I would go with I guess!
We are off to New York again in a few days…….so watch out for the news – we may be bringing with us a man-size jiffy bag. Now I wonder what we could manage to squeeze into that for the return journey ;)
Jill
xx
0
“How about placing every passengers bag into monster sized ziplock bags, or even easier, why don’t we line the entire baggage compartment and overhead storage areas with the stuff?” – LOL!!! I don’t fly that often, so I’m just happy for all the security measures, even if it just makes me “feel” safe and gets me on that plane! I’m just always glad when we land, and I don’t want to think about what could happen or what goes on behind the scenes. But I do think homeland security needs to be more “proactive” and not “reactive” – I mean, the liquid bombs? Why wasn’t that thought of before and acted on, and not scrambling to react once it almost did happen? Scary stuff.
I flew the day the security changed to NO LIQUIDS on board whatsoever. Standing in line for over 2 hours only to get up the front of the line to learn that NO CONTACT SOLUTION is allowed on board.
I just bought this bottle so my contacts would not dry out flying. The security person said hand it over. I started to cry. My contacts will dry out …how am I supposed to see? The reply was the pilots are not being allowed to carry on contact solution.
Gee, that made me feel better, knowing the pilots won’t be able to see either. I am kidding. Gotta have security but come on….us contact wearers have to see too!!
Well I’ve just had a return internal flight within the UK and would love to know why I had to take my shoes off on the return journey but not on the way out. Also why does my underwired bra not set off the metal detector? In my case these are pretty big wires which I’m sure could be fashioned into some lethal weapon. They can hurt enough without a pointy end.