Comments on: Air travelers face new restrictions

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:22:29 +0000

Patrick – Thanks; great comment.

Here’s a NYT piece on the flap over Janet Napolitano’s comment about how the system worked: http://is.gd/5Fv6H

By: Patrick F.

Patrick F. — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:47:42 +0000

I can tell you that I took a two-part international flight on Saturday, right after the attempt. I was taking tons of presents that I could only purchase at home in my carry-on bag(OPEC) and a netbbook that has a power supply that I was told looked funny when bundled in a plastic container, which is the way I packed it the last time I flew. All the other presents I bought online and had them shipped to my destination(I love Amazon.co.uk) But, I try as much as possible to fly out of the smaller airport in my region. There is a larger airport that is a 30 minute drive away, the flights are usually cheaper(but rarely non-stop to my destination). There was only one person in line in front of me and in total I spent around a minute going through the whole process. This is the normal for this airport and it was the regional leg of an international flight. So, nothing new there.

When I reached my layover airport, I watched people go through the international screening and all seemed to be moving at normal speed(read: slow). But, there was one thing you could see. I saw the plain-clothed air marshal, because he stuck out like a sore thumb. This was really the only difference on my way out, as I have never had an air mashal on a flight that I have seen. This one was making it a point to walk around a lot, he also had one of the security earpieces as he walked around pre-flight. The flight attendants were walking around the plane WAY more, with only the intention of checking the passengers. It was an overnight flight and they walked around with flashlights, another first.

Also, there was no “sit in your seat for the last hour” thing, but this may have been because we weren’t landing in the US.

I have yet to come back through security, to note the changes there. Just thought I would update everyone on what I saw. Also, the same Orange afraidness level sign was posted outside the airport, that has been up for the 3 years I have been leaving out of it. I agree with the earlier post about those who travel frequently worrying less. I can only tell you that the thought never entered my mind before leaving and only family/friends talked about it.

Apologies for the long post.

By: Michael W.

Michael W. — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:18:07 +0000

Turns out the guy was known as a hazard, even his father warned our agencies, we almost lost lives because the “system” didn’t do it’s job. Meanwhile TSA wants to issue plastic zip ties to flight attendants so they can cuff each passenger to their seat for the full duration of all flights to prevent the risk of further incidents.

I get it. Don’t exercise proper security screening on the front end, initially try to look blameless, then punish travelers some more so it looks like they are doing their job.

Sheesh. Till, can you spot the parts that are true in this comment and which is the exaggeration? (lol)

By: Berg

Berg — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:08:02 +0000

Funny how the people who fly the most seem to be less scared of terrorists than those who only fly once every five years.

I think it’s a useful analogy that can also be applied to fear-based news and media that keeps people locked in their homes because they’re terrified of the world outside.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:25:22 +0000

More like theater of the absurd!

So… you can’t leave your seat for the last hour of the flight. What if the mad bomber goes to the lav 70 minutes before landing and preps his device? Will they then change it to 90 minutes??

Utterly farcical!