New Airline Rules

[Opie]

Amen to what trino said. My sentiments exactly. May I quote a coment from a previous post here by ? In an interview with a gentleman who was formerly head of security for Israeli airlines, that gentleman said American security looks for weapons while Israeli security looks for terrorists. To date we have not seen any 3 y.o. terrorists nor any 80-something terrorists, etc. We are putting these gotta-do-something rules into effect instead of doing something about terrorists.

 

[Opie]

Having said that, I'll add that I'm glad I've already been a few places that cannot be reached by car, as I'm really not terribly interested in flying anywhere now.

 

[jjenny]

Amen to what trino said. My sentiments exactly. May I quote a coment from a previous post here by ? In an interview with a gentleman who was formerly head of security for Israeli airlines, that gentleman said American security looks for weapons while Israeli security looks for terrorists. To date we have not seen any 3 y.o. terrorists nor any 80-something terrorists, etc. We are putting these gotta-do-something rules into effect instead of doing something about terrorists.

I think it's because US is so very PC so they can not do "profiling" because that's considered not PC. So women with little kids and elderly are searched just in the same way as someone who would fit the profile.

 

[Opie]

Even worse, INSTEAD OF someone who would fit the profile. Homeland Security is not really serious about protecting us from terrorists as long as this kind of nonsense goes on. It's all a show.

My neighbor, a police officer, was detained in an airport and questioned because someone else with the same name was on the "watch" list. He doesn't fit the profile either. Not even close.

 

[kitbits]

May I ask if dogs are used at airports for security checks? Dogs are so great in detecting many things/smells/etc. that humans or machines can not.

Maybe more dogs should be employed at airports?

I was thinking of dogs the day I heard about all this...sniffer dogs are amazing--saw them in action in Miami one time many years ago. I think it's a great idea & well worth consideration.

Also, have read this today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8432180.stm

Plain & simple, they really dropped the ball on this. Un-bloody-believable...

I have to travel domestically for work & often fly from Edinburgh to various London airports or Birmingham & have noted that some airports are more stringent with security than others. I always feel that Edinburgh is pretty lax about it compared to the airports that serve London. I had thought that the attempted bombing at Glasgow airport would have caused a beefing up in Scotland, but no. I mean, currently, these are all BAA airports, so you'd think that security measures would be consistent. I think that they need to realise that it doesn't matter which airport...this stuff can happen ANYWHERE.

'Lessons learnt' is the catch phrase of the last few years & that's about all it is...a catch phrase.

 

[Sophie]

Because he flew in from overseas, the US does not do security outside the US.

Just as a matter of general info, there was recently a Prime Minister's Question Time in which he told MPs that there were many CIA operatives in the UK because we are only six hours away from your eastern seaboard. He assumed everyone knew since it has apparently been the case for decades, and was never a secret (other than identities obviously). You'd have to assume the same would be true of the rest of Europe, too.

I don't know whether that makes you feel better or worse!

 

[Julessleuther]

Has TSA backtracked on these new rules? I ask because I went to their website and find nothing about the new regulations. I even went to USAir to see if they had something posted there. Am I just thick? (Don't answer that!) Can someone provide a link? TY

 

[Trino]

Has TSA backtracked on these new rules? I ask because I went to their website and find nothing about the new regulations. I even went to USAir to see if they had something posted there. Am I just thick? (Don't answer that!) Can someone provide a link? TY

This is from 12/28, and the story still mentions the "hour before" idea.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20091228/tbs-uk-airlines-security-b99ff97.html

 

[travelgal]

Has TSA backtracked on these new rules? I ask because I went to their website and find nothing about the new regulations. I even went to USAir to see if they had something posted there. Am I just thick? (Don't answer that!) Can someone provide a link? TY

Here is the link I found on TSA site:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/dec25_guidance.shtm

HLN has said that procedure for last hour on plane are at the discretion of the flight staff,

 

[Julessleuther]

Thank you. It sounds like it is not a directive from TSA, just something being proposed. My MIL has bladder problems and was upset about the last hour thing--she usually has to go once an hour or so.

 

[Trino]

I seems Janet N, head of Homeland Security, embarrassed herself after the Detroit flight by saying the system worked, when obviously it did not work. She has since backtracked, stating security failed, especially since Obama's speech. Now the message seems to be on TSA doing more thorough security checks, which, of course, are still going to inconvenience passengers. However, at least, passengers will be permitted to go to the bathroom, have laptops, blankets and pillows. The rules have been relaxed.

I wonder if the lame-brained one-hour rule was Janet's idea. Whoever came up with it needs a refresher course on terrorist tactics, acknowledging that terrorists have no one-hour rule.

 

[Anadarko]

I don't think the TSA, nor Homeland Security, has had ample time to thoroughly digest the events of the last week. Any new rules will probably go through a few changes before set in stone.

In regards to the "last hour" rule, I think they all knew before it was announced to the public, that the bomber was told to do this close to the final approach to DTW and that there may be others doing the same. So maybe, initially, this was what they needed to do.

If people don't want to be touched by the TSA employees, the Naked Scanner is the best bet going. Yes, it is x-ray, but it is only 1 x-ray snap shot. You get more x-ray exposure at your yearly dental check up. The person viewing the screen is not in the same place as the passenger. So no one right in front of you is seeing your "naked" body. Once the picture is cleared, it is erased forever. No one is taking a picture to ogle or get off on it.

Sniffer dogs are a great idea. The US doesn't use them enough. The only time I have ever seen one here was while flying on the morning the "liquid" bombers were discovered in London. They were walking up and down the security line at ATL. Other countries use them on a routine basis, and not just when you are trying to leave the country, but anywhere in the airport. I've experienced this in both Mexico and Belize.

Civil rights lawsuits will do nothing but hold back any chance we have of flying safey. We can't profile. We can't x-ray. We can't tell you to stay in your seat. We can't tell you no large bags on board. Everybody whines, and then where are we? I think the folks that don't like the rules should stay home. Sorry, but as a frequent flyer, I want every rule possible in place. But what I want the most is for Homeland security to do thier d___ jobs!

MOO

 

[Trino]

I don't think the TSA, nor Homeland Security, has had ample time to thoroughly digest the events of the last week. Any new rules will probably go through a few changes before set in stone.

In regards to the "last hour" rule, I think they all knew before it was announced to the public, that the bomber was told to do this close to the final approach to DTW and that there may be others doing the same. So maybe, initially, this was what they needed to do.

If people don't want to be touched by the TSA employees, the Naked Scanner is the best bet going. Yes, it is x-ray, but it is only 1 x-ray snap shot. You get more x-ray exposure at your yearly dental check up. The person viewing the screen is not in the same place as the passenger. So no one right in front of you is seeing your "naked" body. Once the picture is cleared, it is erased forever. No one is taking a picture to ogle or get off on it.

Sniffer dogs are a great idea. The US doesn't use them enough. The only time I have ever seen one here was while flying on the morning the "liquid" bombers were discovered in London. They were walking up and down the security line at ATL. Other countries use them on a routine basis, and not just when you are trying to leave the country, but anywhere in the airport. I've experienced this in both Mexico and Belize.

Civil rights lawsuits will do nothing but hold back any chance we have of flying safey. We can't profile. We can't x-ray. We can't tell you to stay in your seat. We can't tell you no large bags on board. Everybody whines, and then where are we? I think the folks that don't like the rules should stay home. Sorry, but as a frequent flyer, I want every rule possible in place. But what I want the most is for Homeland security to do thier d___ jobs!

MOO

I remember when I first encountered the military, complete with machine guns, patrolling a beach in another country - thought that would never happen in the US. Well, this isn't the same time frame, and right now I would feel secure seeing our military at our airports or any place that terrorists might consider a target. TSA just isn't enough.

Okay. I'll say it. Get the heck out of Irag and protect our homeland from harm.

 

[panthera]

Passengers again free to move around cabin

CHICAGO - You are now free to move about the cabin. Or not. After a two-day security clampdown prompted by a thwarted attempt to bomb a jetliner, some airline officials told The Associated Press that the in-flight restrictions had been eased. And it was now up to captains on each flight to decide whether passengers can have blankets and other items on their laps or can move around during the final phase of flight.

more at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34601479/ns/travel-news

 

[Anadarko]

I remember when I first encountered the military, complete with machine guns, patrolling a beach in another country - thought that would never happen in the US. Well, this isn't the same time frame, and right now I would feel secure seeing our military at our airports or any place that terrorists might consider a target. TSA just isn't enough.

Okay. I'll say it. Get the heck out of Irag and protect our homeland from harm.

AAAAA-MEN to that Trino! Let the Afghans solve thier own problems. We have our own problems here.

Machine guns on the beach. Same thing I thought. We don't have that, and don't need it. WRONG!! We do need it! And we need for people to see it up close and personal. It's a message - The Americans don't play! But we don't send that message. The message we send is "Idon't want to see guns...I don't want to be searched....I don't want in your face protection....I don't want to wait to go pee....I'm gonna file a lawsuit....I don't want my rights violated..." waa waa waa...that is the message we send. And the rest of the world knows it!

In Rome, last month, busy street right in front of a cafe. I walked up behind a man in uniform to ask for directions. "Me scuzi Signore..." and when he turned around to help me, with his big machine gun strapped across his chest, it certainly got my attention. I've seen this before, and no matter how many times I see it, it gets my attention - in a good way. It sends a message. We don't play, so don't mess with my country.

We have so many great service people. Let's bring them back and ask them protect us. TSA needs the help.

Janet Napolitano needs to be removed from office after the events of the last few days.

MOO

 

[RLynne]

I already hate flying...I think I'm sticking to Amtrak from now on.

 

[Nocgirl]

Sorry if this has already been covered but have they determined how this man got the device on board the aircraft? Did he actually pass through security with it or was it given to him after he passed through? Or left on the jet by an airline employee?

 

[jjenny]

Sorry if this has already been covered but have they determined how this man got the device on board the aircraft? Did he actually pass through security with it or was it given to him after he passed through? Or left on the jet by an airline employee?

It was inside his underwear.

 

[PMLsmom]

So now, no underwear allowed? LOL

 

[jjenny]

So now, no underwear allowed? LOL

Maybe they will order all of us to take it off, scan it through the machine, and then put it back on. Just like we do with shoes.