re TSA overreaction to Delta incident

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ed Biebel <edward () biebel net>
Date: December 26, 2009 3:08:47 PM EST
To: dave () farber net
Cc: amy () wohl com
Subject: Re: [IP] re TSA overreaction to Delta incident

Dave,

On note on Amy's comments below.  The primary reason for securing electronics during the beginning and end stages of 
the flight has less to do with the electronics but more to removing distractions.  

The two major classes of electronics really targeted are computers and music devices.  In the case of computers that 
directive is geared to insuring bulky items such as laptops are secured so as not to block exit paths in the event of 
an emergency evacuation.  (Imagine trying to climb over someone with their tray table down and laptop spread out.).  In 
the case of music players, the directive is to insure that you aren't wearing earphones that would prevent you from 
hearing emergency instruction / announcements.  

The Kindle really doesn't fit either category but I would dare say that the flight crew probably doesn't want to get 
into a long debate with passengers about why x electronic device is permitted versus y electronic device.

Patrick Smith, a former airline pilot and Salon columinst discusses many of these "rules" in his book "Ask the Pilot."  
I highly recommend it for anyone interested in some of the background that drives some of the procedures you see in 
commercial aircraft.

Ed


On Sat, Dec 26, 2009 at 2:51 PM, Dave Farber <dave () farber net> wrote:




Begin forwarded message:

> From: Amy Wohl <amy () wohl com>
> Date: December 26, 2009 2:33:42 PM EST
> To: dave () farber net
> Subject: RE: [IP] re TSA overreaction to Delta incident
>
> It’s all theater.  Designed to make the traveling public think it’s safe to fly.  Of course, those of us who can see 
> the fake wizard behind the green curtain are only annoyed by this act.
>
>  
> Even though I travel with my Kindle I can’t use it at the beginning and end of the flight (usually a total of at 
> least 30 minutes) because the airlines and the TSA don’t know the difference between different kinds of electronics.  
> All they would have to do is tell me to turn its wireless feature off.  That means I have to bring something else to 
> read on the plane.
>
>  
> What if you need to take medication during the time the TSA wouldn’t like you to access your carry on?  Or if you 
> finish a book and what other reading material?
>
>  
> I am a much-more-than-middle aged woman who is obviously American or Western European.  I always pay for my ticket 
> with a credit card and I’ve been in the frequent flyer system (for multiple airlines) since the day the programs 
> started.  Yet I get various extra and extraneous security checks, no doubt because some random number generator has 
> selected me. 
>
>  
> I am very tired of this charade and I have definitely tried to cut back my air travel (less travel altogether in 
> favor of web conferences), more switching to train or car where possible.  I know (from what I read) I am not alone.  
> I wonder what we have to do to get the government to do a cost-benefit analysis of what they’re doing and come up 
> with something that might actual have a benefit.  I really doubt that the fact that I now almost always check a bag 
> because it’s too hard to meet all the requirements with carry on and not have to buy lots of new stuff on arrival 
> benefits anyone but the hotel shops.
>
>  
> Perhaps we could volunteer to put together an “expert” group for the federal government?
>
>  
>  
>  
> Amy D. Wohl
>
> Editor, Amy Wohl's Opinions
>
> 40 Old Lancaster Road, #608
>
> Merion, Station, PA 19066
>
> 610-667-4842
>
> amy () wohl com
>
> www.wohl.com
>
>  
>  
> From: Dave Farber [mailto:dave () farber net] 
> Sent: Saturday, December 26, 2009 2:18 PM
> To: ip
> Subject: [IP] re TSA overreaction to Delta incident
>
>  
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Bob Hinden <bob.hinden () gmail com>
> Date: December 26, 2009 2:15:46 PM EST
> To: dave () farber net
>
>
> Cc: Bob Hinden <bob.hinden () gmail com>
> Subject: Re: [IP] TSA overreaction to Delta incident
>
> Dave,
>
>
>
> It's more security theater.
>
> None of the these measures would have stopped this person.  How would keeping everyone in their seats for 60 minutes 
> have prevented it?  Or only allowing one carry on?
>
> Bob
>
>
> On Dec 26, 2009, at 10:23 AM, Dave Farber wrote:
>
>
>
>  
>  
>  
>  
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>  
> From: Kris Gabor <kgabor () aol com>
>
> Date: December 26, 2009 1:21:16 PM EST
>
> To: dave () farber net
>
> Subject: TSA overreaction to Delta incident
>
>  
> Hi, Dave,
>
>  
> For IP, if you think it's appropriate. If the following is true, this is another good example of kneejerk 
> overreaction after a security incident. There used to be a rule that passengers bound for DCA had to remain seated 
> during the last 30 minutes of flight, but even that was scrapped after a few years. Good luck telling passengers they 
> can't use their laptops or read a book for the last hour of a flight. As someone had suggested in the wake of 9/11, 
> maybe the best thing would be to strip all the passengers naked and chain them into their seats for the entire flight.
>
>  
> It's interesting how Air Canada has already posted this, but there is no official announcement of it yet from TSA. I 
> wonder if after the initial kneejerk, pragmatism may yet win out.
>
>  
> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27plane.html
>
>  
> "Although transportation officials had not announced new security measures yet, Air Canada said the Transportation 
> Security Agency would make significant changes to the way passengers are able to move about on aircraft. During the 
> final hour of flight, customers will have to remain seated, will not be allowed access to carry-on baggage and cannot 
> have personal belongings or other items on their laps, according to a notice 
> <http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/trav_adv/091226.html> on Air Canada’s Web site.
>
>  
> In effect, that means passengers on flights of about 90 minutes or less will not be able to get out of their seats, 
> since they are not allowed to move about while an airplane is climbing to its cruising altitude.
>
>  
> Air Canada also told its United States bound customers that they would be limited to a single carry-on item and that 
> they would be subjected to personal and baggage searches at security check points and in the gate area. It said this 
> would result in significant delays, canceled flights and missed connections. Air Canada said it would waive the 
> baggage fee for the first checked bag as a result of the new policy."
>
>  
>  
>  
> Archives    
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>  
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