I don't know what good it will do to keep people in thier seats for the last hour, and allow nothing on thier laps, etc. What I think would be more helpful, is to contact your Congressman/Senator, and complain about the lazy a$$ job done by Homeland Security and the TSA. Also, complain about the security of the airports of originating flights.
As a frequent flyer, alot of that international, I have seen good and bad in airport security in other countries. Regardless of how they are checking people out, the US does get a copy of all flight manifests before the flight leaves the originating country. The person responsible for the attempted terrorist attack on the way to Detroit was on more than one watch list. Maybe not the no fly list, but watch lists all the same. The US must have given the go ahead, or the flight would not have made its way to Detroit.
This person has been on the US radar for more than a year. So 2 problems. If he did not show up on a TSA/Homeland security list, why not? And if he did, who allowed the flight to take off?
A problem related to HSA is, how did he get a Visa to travel here? Who's not minding the store?
In regards to how passengers are cleared through security -
How many are willing to have a pat search? Crotch and all? In any country? I wouldn't mind.
How about the security camera that takes a quick pic of you "behind" your clothing? A pic that is then destroyed within seconds of you being cleared. Fine by me!
These are great security measures, but guess what?? Most people feel it is an invasion of privacy. I don't. I would rather go through a few fairly uncomfortable moments at the airport, than worry about the heck to do with a guy sitting next to me trying to light his underwear on fire over Detroit.
The US, and other countries, will never be able to implement these measures due to the constant whining of passengers who want to be safe, but don't want to go the distance in regards to security.
I realize we shouldn't have to do all of this, but it is what it is. The times have dictated the need for change in airport security. Read up on the Israeli airports. If you don't like what they want to do, they request that you stay home. And the security is operated by specially trained agents and former military. They take ZERO guff from anyone flying. I can't speak for any other city, but I would guess the TSA in Atlanta is a job project with the labor department to give anyone and everyone a job. Just WRONG!! These are not trained agents.
