IP: Airline responsibility....

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> To: dave () farber net
> cc: mo () ccr org
> Subject: Airline responsibility....
> Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 10:33:00 -0400
> From: "Mike O'Dell" <mo () ccr org>
>
>
> the airlines are indeed responsible for the poor level of
> security which has operated in the past at airports.
> but in fairness, we have to ask why this is the case.
>
> the answer is that the government abrogated their responsibility
> for this critical piece of national security maintenance by
> delegating to the airlines, who then further delegated it to the
> lowest bidder (in the finest "open market" manner, i might add).
>
> there is a real difference between "inexpensive" and "cheap", and
> this was demonstrated in a most horrible fashion.
>
> but this is precisely the behavior the government asked for when
> it created the operating policy they have been using up to now.
>
> there have been various polls about "would you pay an extra $25 per
> ticket for better security?"  Excuse me, but i pay a lot more than
> that on April 15th every year and the notion that i now might have to
> pay extra for the reasonably expected level of competence is more than
> just a bit cheeky.
>
> it is clear now (although it should have been clear before) that the
> national security perimeter includes security perimeter at airports
> and i expect that to exhibit the same level of diligence which we
> provide embassies and other "official" installations.  I was fortunate
> to have a US Marine Embassy Guard as a roommate in college, and while
> i was initially incredulous, i and everyone on the dorm floor very
> quickly acquired immense respect for him, both personally and as
> the consumate professional.  this was 1972 and he changed a lot
> of minds and attitudes that year.
>
> we do not have to settle for refugees from the fast-food world who
> don't yet have enough command of English to take a hamburger order
> (this is not xenophobia, it is an observation of the facts at Dulles
> just last week).  we have professionals who know how to do the job
> with polish and quiet pride, but who can respectfully push back
> with all the force required by a situation, even deadly force if
> required.
>
> the government should admit this security perimeter is possibly the
> most difficult we have to deal with because of the large number of
> persons who must pass quickly and efficiently, and then be responsible
> for providing the best and the brightest to do this critical job.
>
>         -mo



For archives see: http://www.interesting-people.org/