IP: Re: Departure from Dullas -- data point

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 10:21:16 -0700
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
> From: "Robert M. McClure" <rmm () unidot com>
> Subject: Re: IP: Departure from Dullas -- data point
>
> Dave,
>
> I am pleased that your recent experience with the airlines was good.  Mine was
> not.  This week I went from Tucson to San Francisco, thence to San Diego, and
> then back to Tucson.
>
> On two out of the three legs of the trip, I was "selected" for an extra 
> thorough
> security search.  This involves emptying everything out of your pockets and
> a detailed inspection of everything you are carrying on board (and as I travel
> light with only a carry-on, that means everything).  Now I am quite sure I 
> know
> why I was selected.  I traveled on three different airlines, and as far as 
> they knew
> I had only bought a one-way ticket as their computer systems were clearly
> not good enough to link them all together.
>
> On the second leg (and the only one in which I was not selected) the security
> screeners decided to go through everything anyway.  This time they found
> a small nail clipper (which had passed the first screening) to which a small
> (~1 inch) nail file was attached.  This security screener decided this was
> unacceptable in spite of its not having any sharp edge.  His supervisor
> agreed with him and said that I could either check my carryon or surrender
> the clipper.  I asked if the nail file was the only problem.  When he said 
> "yes"
> I simply twisted off the nail file and laid it on the table.
>
> Has the world lost its collective mind?  Has common sense gone completely
> out the window?  It doesn't seem to have occurred to anyone that the other
> end of the clipper was both stronger and sharper than the nail file or that
> the ball point pens I had in my pocket, nor my house keys would have been
> far more effective as weapons.  Someone has written a rule that nail files
> (of whatever size and length) are no-nos.
>
> The collective effect of this is that I have completely sworn off of pleasure
> air travel and will only travel for *essential* business reasons.  There have
> been several reports that most (of not all) of the major air carriers are 
> facing
> imminent bankruptcy.  In my opinion they will deserve it, and not just for
> the security fiascos either.
>
> I have been asked whether I was worried about air travel.  I answer, "No, but
> I am grievously annoyed at the FAA's security mandates and the airlines
> response."   Quite honestly I worry more about young National Guardsmen
> with M16's than I do about terrorists.  I worry much more about the loss
> of civil liberties than I do about terrorism.  I worry far more about the bad
> things my government is likely to do to me than what bin Laden and his
> followers are likely to do.  History has demonstrated on numerous occasions
> that once the camel has his nose under the tent it is only a matter of time
> until he is in the tent with you.
>
> Bob McClure
>
> At 03:33 PM 11/14/01 -0500, you wrote:
> > Arrived at airport at 3 pm. Was at red Carpet Club in midfield terminal 
> > at 325.
> >
> > Security was actually very good, excellent xray work and a very good 
> > complete hand scan.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> >
> > For archives see:
> > http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/


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