Here we go again! Is the traveling air public for more knee jerk reactions from a supposed “security agency?” The TSA still remains as nothing more than a glorified security company under the control of the US Government. Rest assured, if the government wanted to commit an act of air terrorism, it would happen. And they would let it. Increasing rules and becoming “more vigilant” won’t do shit. Where there is a will, there is a way. It is ridiculous to think the more rules imposed the less likely there is to be another terrorist attack using commercial airliners. Then again, I am off the thought it was the US Government that knew about 9-11, but that is a discussion for ATS, not T6F.
I no longer travel by air if I don’t have to. After spending 12 years at United Airlines I was getting fed up with the “added” or “heightened” security we were supposedly under. I can’t remember a time since I left the airlines, or even post 9-11 where the airlines were not at a heightened security alert. What does it matter our hourly rent-a-cops now fly mock badges and are federally trained? LOL. I’ll tell you. NOTHING! It might make you feel safer, but these people are no more better trained than they were pre 9-11. I can still remember going through a 4 hour class on how to detect explosives in an x-ray machine and supposedly I was “trained.” Again, pre 9-11.
Times have changed and as I mentioned I don’t want the hassle of the US Government telling me I can and cannot do when I pay for an airline ticket. “New rules imposed by the Transportation Security Administration limit on-board activities by passengers and crew in U.S. airspace. The airline said that during the final hour of flight passengers must remain seated. They won’t be allowed access to carry on baggage or to have any items on their laps.”
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement Saturday that passengers flying to the U.S. from overseas may notice extra security, but she said the measures “are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere.” That’s even better and this is supposed to help us how? I am sure there are guidelines and regulations that will continued to be followed and enforced, so this “unpredictability” is nothing more than another way to let the traveling public know their rights can be violated if there is any cause for suspicion.
How about more screening, after you are through the main checkpoint? Uh, okay. This was nothing more than an inconvenience while in the gate room, prior to boarding. What did it ever turn up? I’ll tell you what it turned up at LAX in the United terminals the years following 9-11. NOTHING! Just a stronger presence of TSA (the government version of a rent-a-cop).
I just wonder how much more tax money will be generated when they tack on another security fee in order to pay for this “presence” to make air travelers “feel safer” because in all honesty, very little has changed about the security or lack of it when it comes to US airports and airliners. Thankfully I take one flight a year, to Las Vegas. Even that can be made in an 8 hour drive, something I will seriously consider next year.