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Testical Squeezing Authority (TSA) Update

May 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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TSA is actually making changes in policy

Sometimes, I like to take a break from talking about business blogging and b2b social media to explore another favorite topic of mine – The Transportation Security Administration.

I would like to think that the individuals who have been outraged by TSA policies on children has triggered the type of response we all have been seeking – CHANGE.

I am and have always been a vocal critic of the TSA and its policies. I have always written to both my Congressman and Senators questioning the purpose of screening children, pregnant women and little old ladies. I have written to my Congressman, Andre Carson, Senator Evan Bayh, Senator Dan Coates and Senator Richard Lugar.

Of the four representatives, only Senator Lugar has addressed my letters directly with excellent follow ups. Andre Carson sends a crappy form letter, Evan Bayh does his political double speak that says nothing, and Dan Coates did not even acknowledge my letter.

I do have an update for you.  According to Senator Lugar’s office, the TSA are making changes:

“On April 15, TSA Administrator John Pistole shared that passengers can expect changes to current TSA procedures—including to protocol that allowed for the recent pat-down of a six-year old girl in a New Orleans airport.  The Administrator stated that TSA is presently working to implement changes that would categorize certain passengers, such as children, as ”trusted passengers” and give them a different passenger screening experience. I am hopeful that TSA will use common sense in drafting these procedures and will promptly implement these expected changes.”

In addition, the Nudoscan is getting an update as well.

“They are conducting field tests on Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) software, which eliminates passenger-specific images and instead highlights an anomaly on a generic outline.  Pat downs used to resolve such anomalies would be limited to the areas of the body displaying an alarm.  This software may be a substantial step forward in further addressing passenger privacy concerns, while continuing to meet TSA standards of security.”

I would like to think that these changes are the result of people like you and me engaging our elected representatives to do something. In the case of Indiana, Senator Lugar appears to be the only one addressing the issue. The rest? Well, I am not very  impressed with their follow up.

To think that Republicans in this state want to get rid of Senator Lugar seems surreal to me. He is one of the great statesman of our time. He not only represents Indiana well, but is an Ambassador for our country

 

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Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Airline Security Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

American Airlines – what has happened to you?

April 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Gerard Arpey, t...

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Letter to Gerard Arpey, President of American Airlines

This guy is very courageous.(Not Gerard Arpey, but Stephen Gould)

  1. He is writing an open letter to his boss
  2. He crossed the picket lines and worked during the ’92 FA strike. (For this alone, he should be given a gold watch at least)
  3. He is being real

(Mr. Arpey did have to endure that hell those FAs went through that crossed the picket line. It was very brutal to the FA’s who did not listen to their Washington law firm)

The airline business is a customer service business. If the front line employees are unhappy, customers will not be happy. The industry is always stressed financially, but that is no excuse to not take care of customers and employees.

Dear Mr Arpey,

I’d like to preface this letter by telling you a bit about myself and how I came to write it.  I have been a Flight Attendant for American Airlines for 27 years.  I am what some would call a ‘Reagan conservative’.  I believe in the power and freedom of Capitalism and the ability of the marketplace to set wages and prices.  I am not particularly pro-union.  Although I am a member of a union, it is only because I must be.  I have run my own small business for 15 years.  I regularly debate my co-workers and defend these principles, taking the side of business, especially the issue of executive compensation.  As you might imagine, it comes up a lot.  I believe in these principles enough that when the union called a strike in 1992, I refused.  I crossed a picket line and came to work.  That decision resulted in years of threats and intimidation both on and off the job.  I do not regret it.  That said, I must tell you – you’ve lost me.
It would be difficult to put into words the devastating effect the hundreds of millions of dollars in executive bonuses have had on morale and performance at American.  In 2002 there was a seed of hope for a new cooperation between employees and management.  This after the hardnosed leadership of Robert Crandall and the departure of Don Carty.  After the attacks on 9/11 and severe financial losses you came to the employees and asked us to give up almost 20% of our pay and benefits to keep the company out of bankruptcy.  ‘Pull Together, Win Together’ it was.  We voluntarily gave up billions based on that new found trust.  The hope that upper management finally ‘got it’.  You have squandered that trust and helped create a toxic work environment.  Quite simply, no one cares.  The anger and disappointment on the front lines of this company are worse than I have seen in 27 years.  Our passengers see it too.
In my particular job there is a push on to improve customer service.  Management has identified several ‘problem areas’ they would like to see corrected.  Scheduled services are accomplished inconsistently or not at all, names are not used in first class, PA announcements are not given as written.  I could add a few things to that list from Flight Service as well as all the other work groups I regularly come in contact with.  Reduced productivity, poor customer service, theft, and bogus sick calls are commonplace.  But they are not the problem.  They are the symptoms of the greater problem of an angry, embittered workforce.
A quick example – We took brewed decaffeinated coffee off the airplane several years ago.  We were told that it would save the company $500,000, and that this savings was ‘substantial’.   And so it is.   How can you possibly justify removing passenger amenities to save 500K while at the same time awarding yourselves 300 times that amount in bonuses?
All this while the company is losing billions, the stock price has gone from $41 to $6 dollars a share and the employees who gave up so much have yet to see more than a token in return?  This is not a rhetorical question.  It is the heart of the issue.  It would be nearly impossible to underestimate the level of anger this has generated.  But you seem to have done so.
It didn’t have to be this way.  Can you imagine the moral authority and leadership capital you would have created had you declined or even merely deferred these bonuses?  It seems almost quaint to say it after what I have observed, but remember what Lee Iaccoca did while turning Chrysler around?  How about Jeffery Smisek at Continental?  Study the corporate culture at companies like The Container Store.  Examples are everywhere of what motivated, fairly treated employees can do for a business.  We could be such a company.  A million small intangibles could be different.  A delay could be avoided because a seat cushion didn’t take an hour to change.  Flight Attendants may not sneer and roll their eyes when asked for help by a passenger.  A premium passenger in first class may not have to sit three feet from a lavatory that smells like an outhouse because a ramper was too careless and unmotivated to change the water.  Instead, we see our leadership pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars while employee pay declines and the company loses billions.
This is not about envy or class warfare.  It is not about the fact that our workgroup has been in unproductive negotiations for three years (Three years?! What is there to argue about for three years?  Give me the power and it would be over in 90 minutes)
I am not a sign-carrying, slogan-chanting activist with a chip on my shoulder.  I will continue to do my job to the best of my ability as a matter of personal integrity.  In the end I answer to a higher authority than AA management.  This is about leadership and fundamental fairness.  On those counts sir, you’ve lost me.  And if you’ve lost me, you’ve lost everyone.
Sincerely,
Stephen Gould
Flight Attendant –DFW

 

 

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Testical Squeezing Authority (TSA) Update

December 22, 2010 By 2 Comments
paul lorinczi says thumbs up

This week, I did receive my response from Senator Dick Lugar.paul lorinczi says thumbs up

It will be a sad day when Senator Lugar no longer represents the State of Indiana. He is one of the finest men I have had the pleasure to meet. His legacy will forever be a positive one, not only for Indiana, but for the world as a whole. I-465 should be renamed after him. The State should put up a statue to him. He is the only politician I have met in public that was present when talking to me.

I have written to his office many times and always get an answer.

Here is the difference between Lugar and anyone else I have written – he addresses the issue. He does not always agree with me. But, he always addresses the issue.

In the case of my letter regarding the Testical Squeezing Authority (TSA), he says, “I agree that our policies must strike a careful balance between security and individual freedoms and privacy. A number of recently implemented TSA security measures have caused some disruptions, inconveniences, and privacy concerns. Important questions have been raised about the ultimate effectiveness and appropriateness of these procedures.” In the meantime, “I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your letter directly to the TSA and have requested a response.”

For anyone reading this who would like to represent your state in Washington, this is how it is done. (Although, now that my letter was forwarded, I guess my testes will get a squeezing).

Paul is the President of Professional Blog Service. PBS works with clients making strategic investments into blogging, social media and search engine optimization.

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline Security, Transportation Security Administration Tagged With: , , , ,

Update: Testical Squeezing Authority (TSA)

December 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I got my response from Evan Bayh’s office.  I am not surprised by it. On most issues I have written tohim, I always get a form letter. He did not disappoint here. A good old fashion form letter that does not really say anything other than, “I support security and security is important to our safety.” blah…blah…blah…..

Granted, Mr. Bayh is the outgoing Senator from Indiana and I guess eyeing a run to replace our current Governor here in Indiana.

Dear Mr. Lorinczi:

Thank you for contacting me about improving airport security.  I appreciate your thoughts and concerns on this important issue.

Since, the events of September 11th we must face terrorism and move forward to create a more safe and secure world.  We need to ensure that we protect our communities against every possible threat.  It is extremely important to take steps toward improving the security of our nation’s air transportation system.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (P.L. 107-71) in response to the attacks on September 11th.  The TSA is now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security.  The TSA is now solely responsible for the security pre-screening of passengers and luggage as well as being responsible for Flight Marshals and other security precautions.

Recently, the TSA has enacted several enhanced passenger screening measures in order to address several new security threats.  These measures include the use of full-body scanning technology as well as updated pat-down methods.  As airport security policy continues to evolve, we must carefully balance the need to ensure passenger safety with the fundamental right to privacy that all Americans are entitled to.

Rest assured that I will continue to follow the matter of airport security closely and will keep your thoughts in mind if legislation is considered in the Senate.

Again, thank you for contacting me.  I hope the information I have provided has been helpful.  My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects.  You can also sign up for occasional email updates.  I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.

Office of Senator Evan Bayh

(202) 224-5623

Russell 131

Washington, D.C. 20510

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Airline Security, Transportation Security Administration Tagged With: , , , , ,

TSA response from my Congressmen

November 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Not happy that I received a form letter. While I appreciate a response, I find this too vanilla to be a response.

Congress and the President need to listen to guys who run airports: http://pdl.me/clttsa

November 24, 2010

Mr. Paul Lorinczi
The Lorinczi Family
402 Edgemere Dr
Indianapolis, Indiana 46260-4103

Dear Ms. Lorinczi:

Thank you for contacting me to voice your concerns about our nation’s homeland security policy. The opinions and concerns of my fellow Hoosiers are essential to the decision making process as a Member of Congress.

As a former Department of Homeland Security official, I have served on the front line in our nation’s War on Terror. I am a strong supporter of a comprehensive homeland security policy that includes improving our intelligence agencies, enhancing our military capabilities and strengthening our domestic law enforcement agencies.

As your Representative in Congress, I am diligently working to defend our homeland and improve our national security apparatus. To ensure the safety of the United States, I believe it is imperative we put forward and enforce appropriate regulations to resolve longstanding immigration problems we are facing in this country. Furthermore, I strongly support the brave men and women who serve as border agents and protect Americans against drug violence and drug trafficking. Please be assured, I will share your views with my colleagues as the House continues with its legislative agenda during the 111th Congress.

I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this important issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office on future issues. I encourage you to visit my website at http://carson.house.gov where you can view the latest news and updates about pertinent issues and legislation important to you. You may also sign up for my weekly e-newsletter The Carson Courier and receive periodic updates on my activities in Washington. As always, my staff and I are here to serve you. Please feel free to contact me if we ever can be of further assistance to you.

Sincerely,

André Carson
Member of Congress

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Airline Security, Transportation Security Administration

Testical Squeezing Authority – TSA

November 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Testical Squeezing Authority – TSA

Thank you SNL for a great laugh.  I was waiting for someone to put a parody up on the whole TSA buzz.  It appears that Washington is taking notice. There has been some agreement in backing down on some of the more aggressive pat-downs. I still think a complete overhaul and approach to the TSA needs to be examined.

It is not a privilege to fly on airplanes. For some, it is their jobs.

Let’s review a few things:

1. 1 year old-12 year old kids are not terrorist threats – no need for aggressive pat-downs.

2. 60+ old men and women with new body parts from Podunkville USA are not terrorist threats.

Chances are, you are looking for a pissed off young person between the ages of 18-35 who have been convinced that 100 virgins are waiting for them at the end of their mission.

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline Security, Transportation Security Administration Tagged With: , , , ,

Total Sexual Assault (TSA)

November 17, 2010 By 2 Comments
total sexual assault - tsa

I found this blog post from a brave young woman in Ohio who is obviously shaken up by her experience and fearful of

total sexual assault - tsa

sharing her experience. After all, she should be, everyone knows that breast feeding mothers are a major security threat to people flying out of Dayton, OH.

In her post, she uses the term (TSA) Total Sexual Assault.  How appropriate a description of what is happening.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to write to your Senators and Congressmen.  This insanity has to stop. Sexually assaulting breast feeding mothers will not protect us from terrorists.  Enhancing our intelligence of suspected Terrorist groups will. “WE NEED TO FIND BAD PEOPLE, NOT THINGS .”

I wrote to my Senators and Congressman, it is time you guys do too. Just go to their websites and find the contact button.

For the record, I have been talking about this for 8 years. There is a better way.

Dear Senator Lugar,

The terrorist have won. We should put up the white flag and declare them the winners.

I have never been a fan of the Transportation Security Administration. Out of fear, we are destroying our transportation infrastructure that has been so important to supporting our economic system in this country. Is there no common sense in Washington? What percentage of the GDP would improve if there was a better system in place to track security in this country without impeding the economy?

John Pistole testifies that he also has gone through the enhanced pat downs on flights.

Why is John Pistole going through enhanced pat downs to get on a commercial flight? Is he a security risk to his fellow passengers? Does belong to a radical group that has threatened to take down airplanes? Is he showing signs of nervousness? Did he buy his ticket with cash? Is he on a one-way ticket? Does he look like someone that could afford a full coach ticket purchased the day before? Or, is he just a pervert that likes to be felt up?

MS suffering retired Doctor and Indiana Vietnam War Veteran is forced to get out of his motorized chair to get through security at the airport. He also receives a full body scan. He used to run Navy boats on the Mekong River in Vietnam serving his country. He is a real threat to his fellow passengers. An American Hero treated like a criminal in his own country.

I am sure that you have heard many of the stories that are circulating around the country right now. I read a good one from a young Mom in Dayton who describes her experience and the shock she felt going through it. How many mothers with breast feeding infant children with the name of Erin from Dayton, Ohio taken down airplanes with explosives in their pants?

The TSA budget is $6 billion dollars. Michael Chertoff was a lobbyist for the company that is selling the affectionatelycalled the “Nudoscan” – images that do not get leaked to the Internet. (There are a bunch of those out there too). The money we are spending on machines could better be spent hiring real security specialist like the Israelis to consult and build an effective system of airport security using intelligence and human profiling.

Chances are, we will find a bad person using those methods than the current, “Finding Things Approach.” that is totally counter to our American liberties.

My former boss at American Airlines said it right, “We need to start finding BAD PEOPLE, not things.”

Total Sexual Assault (TSA) needs to be shut down. Encourage President Obama to hire Bob Crandall as Transportation Secretary and let’s stop the insanity of the TSA.

It could help the economy improve in the process.

This is not America
Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Airline Security, Transportation Security Administration Tagged With: , , , ,

Dear American Airlines Employees and Managers:

November 3, 2010 By 1 Comment

I am writing this letter to voice my utter disappointment in the recent “Airline Quality Report” (AQR) that places American Airlines as the #4 Meanest Airline in the country. For those of us who used to work at American Airlines, we remember being, “Something Special in the Air”.Picture of CR Smith founding president of American Airlines

I know times are a little tough.  The TSA makes everyone cranky. The industry is trying to mimic phone companies by taxing every little thing it takes to fly today. Flying is no longer fun.  I get it. It does not have to be this way. The opportunity is to be the Oasis for people who have had to go through the gauntlet to get to you.

People are paying extra for baggage and you are the worst in mishandling it?   And to hear, “SeatGuru’s survey named American Airlines as one of the three airlines that have the rudest flight attendants and the worst food.” Mr. CR must be rolling in his grave. (Do any of you remember who Mr. CR was? Or, is he just a name on a museum to you?) As a former American Airlines employee, I am very disappointed to hear that we are in the same category as US Airways, United Airlines and Delta Northwest.

If you have not read one of the newspapers left on a plane, there is a national unemployment right now that could be running at 16%-17%. There are probably more people that would like to have your job, than to be unemployed. As my Manager in Hartford reservations told me (since has been shut down – God bless all the good people that worked there), if you are so unhappy at your job, you are neither doing yourself or the people around you any favors by staying there. If you are rude to passengers, move aside and let someone who loves working with people get the job done.

If you think the JetBlue Flight Attendant is a hero, you should quit your job. He is not a victim. He is someone that needs psychological help.

I know a lot of us would take our place back on airplanes, airport terminals and reservations to restore the reputation that is obviously being tarnished by your watch. American Airlines was a great company. Despite being called Arrogant Airlines, our arrogance was from the knowledge we were pioneers in the industry, not because we delivered bad service.

You are the stewards of a great brand that set the standard for air travel around the world. If you are unable or unwilling to hold yourself to the standard that countless people before you were willing to perform, get off the plane, get off the phone and leave the airport.

Paul Lorinczi
Former Reservation Sales Agent, Area Sales Manager
Hartford, Chicago and Boston Sales

Paul Lorinczi is the President of Professional Blog Service. PBS works with clients making strategic investments into blogging, social media and search engine optimization. He is also assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis.

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Customer Service Tagged With: , , , ,

Recession?

May 20, 2010 By 1 Comment
on the way

on the wayOn my trip to Florida this weekend, every flight was full. I could not even get a boarding pass, until I reached the gate. Only from Indianapolis to Atlanta did I see empty seats and they were not many. I have already provided my frustration with the TSA. (Remember? Find people, not things).

I flew Delta on the way down and am returning US Airways on the return. The trip to Atlanta was short and sweet. Atlanta Airport was busy on Saturday morning. The foot traffic seemed non-stop in the airport and it was hard to find any place to sit. There were lines for food and coffee. I am thinking to myself, “I thought we were in a recession?”

I show up at the gate for my connecting flight to West Palm Beach looking for a seat. The gate agent says, “Well, you have to wait. The flight is overbooked and I requested volunteers. I think I have enough and you should get on the flight.” I say, “Ok fine, just please don’t stick me in a middle seat.” (When God wants to punish you, he sticks you in a middle seat). To add a little drama to the trip, we had a delay. The flight attendant assigned to our flight was injured on her previous flight. They had to look for a replacement.in the air

I got on Facebook and asked a former classmate from High School who is a flight attendant, if she is available. Did not sound like it. She sounded like she had her own problems and was not about to give me any sympathy. She ignored me.

So, you know how it is when a flight is delayed and people are waiting. The waiting area is overflowing with bodies, there is no place to sit and I need a plug to charge my laptop. So, I decide to occupy some space in front of the window because it appears a seat is empty. Someone was saving it for their friend. No problem, I will just stand here. Luckily a guy gave me his seat, so he could find a plug. I decided I would rather eat my bagel and egg sandwich than find a plug.

I have to say, I like Delta’s standby board. I could see that a seat was assigned to me. All I had was my printed receipt that I had printed off before I left Indy. I just handed it to him when I was boarding and he printed off my seat assignment for me. So, I have to give the airlines credit, they have gotten more efficient in processing passengers at the gate, once it is time to board. (I know you road warriors out there are probably saying, well, duh and others may not agree).

You have to understand. Back in the day. They would pull your ticket, rubber band them, throw them into a bag. The bag would be sent to Barbados. They had an office workers key punch the ticket info into the back office system. Revenue would be posted a few days later. (What happened to all those keypunch operators in Barbados?)

full plane pictureWe finally boarded the plane and were on our way. I arrived 45 minutes late. My Brother was waiting for me. As we started heading to his car, he got lost in the garage. (My brother is notorious for getting lost – so it was just a loving reminder of his being navigationally challenged). We back tracked and figured out where he parked. We were on our way.

For the return, there was drama too. I arrived at the airport on time. Since they took my shaving cream, I made it through security unscathed and grumpy. I had to make the sarcastic comment that I feel so much safer now having gone through security.

On to the gate! Well, my partner was with me. I leave him at Airtran and look for an outlet to plug my laptop so I could juice my phone. So, I head down to my gate, plug in all my devices to charge them up. He walks down. His flight is delayed because the afternoon Floridian thunderstorm shows up to wreak havoc on air traffic at Ft. Lauderdale.

Well, my flight is on-time. Crap – no it’s not. 20 minute delay? No problem with that. The flight is full! Every seat! So, I am happy, I have an aisle seat. I get back to my seat and there is a family sitting in it. The guy asks me, if I would switch seats. I reluctantly agree.

Now, everyone is coming onto the plane. All the seats are screwed up in the back. He sent me to the wrong row and I am sitting in someone else’s seat. I am mad at myself. I am thinking, Paul, used to be a pro. You know better. When the flight is full, you have to just sit in your assigned seat and make the deals after everyone has sat down.

Luckily it has worked out. I am still en route to my connection in Charlotte. We are running really tight. I have 15 minutes to get to my connection when I land. So, this story is not over. If I make the connection, no problems. If not, I am screwed because the delay was weather related. Based on what the Pilot is saying, we are getting no breaks to make up our time. There is rain slowing things down now.

Well, we landed. Everyone should have been able to make their flight. I had to go from concourse B at the end to Concourse C towards the end. It felt like a half mile walk.

taking off from fll

Between the carriers, I found Delta’s people far more friendlier than the US Air crews. The flight attendants on the US Air flights seem cranky and scolding in a Sister Mary Elephant way. “Class, you need to turn those cell phones off now!” “Class, turn those cell phones off!” “TURN THOSE CELL PHONES OFF NOW!” – thaaank you.

I fell asleep on my leg from Charlotte to Indianapolis. I like to listen to music. They start the decent and I am finishing up a song. “Sir….turn your music off.” I roll my eyes. Let me finish my song.

The weekend adventure was over. I got off the plane, turned on Porcupine Tree and waited for my ride. The memory of flying over the weekend kept bringing me back to MOO. I miss the old days before all the rules, fears and baggage fees.

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Fun Tagged With: , , ,

Look for bad people, not things

May 15, 2010 By 1 Comment
full flight

I took a trip to Florida this past weekend for business. I have to admit, I have not been on an airplane for a while. I used to work for American Airlines years ago and traveled often. I was a pro – literally. Since my time there, my current position as President of Professional Blog Service has not put me on too many airplanes, as we are able to conduct most our business online.tsa and security

I used to travel a lot. I took my first trip when I was just 1 year old. It was to Budapest, Hungary. My brother said I cried all the way over to London on our Pan American (Pan Am) flight. (At least that what my brother says. I don’t remember).

As I got older, I took a lot more flights even in my youth to visit relatives in Europe. I flew a lot to Florida as well. Back in those days, it was always fun, even when things went wrong. Trips to Budapest were always an adventure because it was deep dark communism in the 60s and 70s. There always seemed to be a hundred check points with “passport please” from a uniformed army guy making sure that one of their citizens was not escaping. Airports and borders had uniformed army with AK-47s strapped to their back.

Have times changed. Going through the airport today in the United States is just a pain in the catooshi (as my wife would say-though I am not sure that is how she spells it). Instead of passports, we now show our driver license. We take our shoes off, our belts off, our leg braces off and are herded like cattle. Old men with hip replacements are scanned like suspects because the guy who can barely walk is got to be a suspect because the metal detector went off. Today, I feel like always saying MOOOO! when I am in line.

The Hungarians were actually smarter about processing people. They asked you questions about where are you going and what are you doing. If you had a US Passport they usually waived you through or asked what you were bringing into the country. They could not have you bringing blue jeans into the country and selling them on the black market.

For my flight to Florida, I made sure I wore shorts and sandals and had my laptop bag and a small weekend bag with clothes and a Dobson kit. I wanted to get through security without taking any clothing off with shoes I could slip on and off. Despite this preparation, I overlooked one small thing. I brought shaving cream so I could shave and be presentable for my client meeting.

Wouldn’t you know it, they pulled my bag aside. I am startled. What? It’s full of clothes. “Oh yeah, my Dobson kit.” The girl says, “I am sorry, this is too big (shaving cream), it has to stay here.” I am thinking, “Damn, I was so careful.

Here is my beef with the whole episode. She asked me no questions. We are spending all this money confiscating harmless items out of people’s Dobson kits without asking a single question. If you want me to feel safe, ask me questions, look at how I bought my ticket, find out what is in my head. I will gladly answer questions to where I am from, where I am going and what I am doing with confidence. I have nothing to hide. I am not a suspect either.

You need it because a terrorist can get through. We are spending all this money on machines for little old men to get a full body scans because their hip replacement triggered the metal detector. What a waste of time and money. If someone is going to blow up a plane, they are going to be nervous. You find nervous people and train your security to find nervous people. We need to look for people. The current system is a complete waste of money.

The current budget is $6.0 BILLION. $1 BILLION of which is printed money. To top it all off, Michael Chertoff is using his influence to peddle the new full body scanners.

According to the Washington Post:
Chertoff’s advocacy for the technology dates back to his time in the Bush administration. In 2005, Homeland Security ordered the government’s first batch of the scanners—five from California-based Rapiscan Systems.

Today, 40 body scanners are in use at 19 U.S. airports. The number is expected to skyrocket at least in part because of the Christmas Day incident. The Transportation Security Administration this week said it will order 300 more machines.

In the summer, TSA purchased 150 machines from Rapiscan with $25 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

What Chertoff has failed to reveal in his message. Rapiscan are his clients. And, Congress approved the funds. BOOOOO!

As we try to herd the masses through, the bad guy is getting through. The current system relies on technology to find things, despite the fact that it is people that commit the terrorist acts.

“WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR BAD PEOPLE, NOT THINGS!” Stop the madness already!

Let’s find a way to find people. The Israelis have been doing it for years. I would rather see us spend money providing a real security process than lining Michael Chertoff’s pockets and the pockets of his buddies with printed money.

Filed Under: Airline Issues, Airline News, Airline Security, Online Behavior Tagged With: , ,
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