Crisis Confidence

[jsurmacz]

In light of the U.K. terror plot, are you more or less confident in airline security procedures? Please share reasons for your answer.

[mtp51]

I'm really not sure!

[Ned]

My confidence in airport/airline security hasn't changed. At least in the US I believe there is very little real security. TSA is poorly trained and only looking at objects not people.

[jansky45]

I showed up at Newark Airport this AM for a flight to Chicago on United Airlines 3hours before my flight expecting long lines. I made it through security in less then 10 minutes. I was carrying nitroglycerine spray in my carryon and my bag was never searched. Not very many bags were searched while I was on the line. I thought for at least a week most people's bags would be searched but maybe every airport is different. I wish a safe flight for everyone who is traveling.

[UrbanSpaceman]

I am less confident since, unlike Ned, I think the TSA should be spending our money to look at objects and not people. If they had, they would probably already have the equipment necessary to easily tell if my water bottle contained water or some explosive. As I said before, the TSA should be more concerned on what is flying rather than who is flying.

I do agree with Ned that the airport security is theater and not much in real security. Sure, they may claim they confiscated 2,000 knives in one month, but how many did they let through?

[stephen_s]

I really haven't seen any change.

[marielmsheen]

Sure it is no change in confidence, because I never had any anyway. I was never convinced that a terrorist would be able to take charge with the nail file contained in fingernail clippers! First, they have to take the thing out of their pocket, or whereever it is. Then they have to get that nail file out. A little time consuming that!

And I don't think a corkscrew goes directly in......but ? ? ?

I just feel this is more goosey-loosey, henny-penny: "the sky is falling, the sky is falling; I must go and tell the king."

And so many coincidences. Don't you wonder ......

[clarkef]

I'm with Ned. As dangerous as profiling is, I think it is better to keep bad people off the plane, then trying to figure out all the ways that they have to destroy the plane and kill innocent folks.

[cliffordpwoodrick]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsurmacz @ Aug 14 2006, 09:44 AM) 34481</div>
In light of the U.K. terror plot, are you more or less confident in airline security procedures? Please share reasons for your answer.
[/b]I feel that all airline reservations be made thirty days in advance so a back ground check could be made on the passengers. As someone who had a Top Secret clearance while I was on active duty, I am sure that the government knows more about me than I know about me. Therefore why then they do a pat down and a check on me because I have a steel hip which sets off the metal detector everytime - this is a waste of time (ten to fifteen minutes each time) because I ( 70 year old male) would kill to defend my country and it's citizens. If the TSA had a program where you pay a thousand dollars to get a travel clearance just so the TSA spends their time on possible terrorists not us. Just have a retina scan and a computer base with my medical records etc to separate us from possible terrorists. Is this profiling? NO!!

El Al has the best security set up. I believe that they do a background check as when I flew with them many years ago, I was addressed by my Navy Rank. They are EXCELLENT in aircraft security.

Have a wonderful day - Cliff

[Ned]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cliffordpwoodrick @ Sep 11 2006, 10:10 AM) 36769</div>
I feel that all airline reservations be made thirty days in advance so a back ground check could be made on the passengers. As someone who had a Top Secret clearance while I was on active duty, I am sure that the government knows more about me than I know about me. Therefore why then they do a pat down and a check on me because I have a steel hip which sets off the metal detector everytime - this is a waste of time (ten to fifteen minutes each time) because I ( 70 year old male) would kill to defend my country and it's citizens. If the TSA had a program where you pay a thousand dollars to get a travel clearance just so the TSA spends their time on possible terrorists not us. Just have a retina scan and a computer base with my medical records etc to separate us from possible terrorists. Is this profiling? NO!!

El Al has the best security set up. I believe that they do a background check as when I flew with them many years ago, I was addressed by my Navy Rank. They are EXCELLENT in aircraft security.

Have a wonderful day - Cliff
[/b]
Hi Cliff,

TSA has been trying to get the "Registered Traveler Program" off for a while now. They were apparently satisfied with its results in testing the program in Orlando and want to slowly expand it throughout the country. It costs $80 annually to be in the program, which prescreens passengers. You get to go in a separate line, but you still have to have your carry-on luggage x-rayed and you still have to go through the metal detector. Basically it exempts you from a random secondardy check and you get to go through a shorter faster line. I think it's going to take a long time for TSA to roll out this program nationwide.

I don't think anyone should be exempt from some limited security at the airport. While some people may change loyalty, or somehow get clearance when they shouldn't, I'm more worried about stupid people whose bags may become compromised because they let them out of their sight and/or handling, or people who might be duped by a terrorist into carrying something for them, they think is benign.

I completely agree with you about El Al.

[AaronK]

Unfortunately, most business travelers can't book 30 days ahead of time. Too many things can change. I'm scheduled for a class in Ft. Lauderdale in November and the tickets won't be booked until a couple of weeks before, after we get confirmation that the class is definitely running.