DDA Chapter 8

[Pooh67_68]

I will probably be the only one to say, I'd keep the whole trip at one resort. We don't do anything at the resort other then take a mid-day break if John wants one, and to sleep and shower.

 

[Pooh67_68]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080610...y_080610211153


Scanners that see through clothing installed in US airports

NEW YORK (AFP) - Security scanners which can see through passengers' clothing and reveal details of their body underneath are being installed in 10 US airports, the US Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday.

A random selection of travellers getting ready to board airplanes in Washington, New York's Kennedy, Los Angeles and other key hubs will be shut in the glass booths while a three-dimensional image is made of their body beneath their clothes.

The booths close around the passenger and emit "millimeter waves" that go through cloth to identify metal, plastics, ceramics, chemical materials and explosives, according to the TSA.

While it allows the security screeners -- looking at the images in a separate room -- to clearly see the passenger's sexual organs as well as other details of their bodies, the passenger's face is blurred, TSA said in a statement on its website.

The scan only takes seconds and is to replace the physical pat-downs of people that is currently widespread in airports.

TSA began introducing the body scanners in airports in April, first in the Phoenix, Arizona terminal.

The installation is picking up this month, with machines in place or planned for airports in Washington (Reagan National and Baltimore-Washington International), Dallas, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Miami and Detroit.

But the new machines have provoked worries among passengers and rights activists.

"People have no idea how graphic the images are," Barry Steinhardt, director of the technology and liberty program at the American Civil Liberties Union, told AFP.

The ACLU said in a statement that passengers expecting privacy underneath their clothing "should not be required to display highly personal details of their bodies such as evidence of mastectomies, colostomy appliances, penile implants, catheter tubes and the size of their breasts or genitals as a pre-requisite to boarding a plane."

Besides masking their faces, the TSA says on its website, the images made "will not be printed stored or transmitted."

"Once the transportation security officer has viewed the image and resolved anomalies, the image is erased from the screen permanently. The officer is unable to print, export, store or transmit the image."

Lara Uselding, a TSA spokeswoman, added that passengers are not obliged to accept the new machines.

"The passengers can choose between the body imaging and the pat-down," she told AFP.

TSA foresees 30 of the machines installed across the country by the end of 2008. In Europe, Amsterdam's Schipol airport is already using the scanners.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Cirque du Soleil was awesome! We had a really good time. Afterwards, we went to Disney Quest for my nephew.

My girls are leaving today. They both have things going on that they needed to get back early. We were scheduled to go do Blizzard Beach this morning but Chuck is tired of being in the sun. My sister didn't enjoy Typhoon Lagoon so nixed Blizzard Beach for her & the kids. Chuck and I are taking my girls to breakfast and Downtown Disney. They leave at 12:50.

I'm glad you enjoyed Cirque! We loved it last year!

It amazes me what will set people off. Bob and I have been arguing for more than 40 years now, 35 of them as husband and wife. Usually the girls ignore us, but occasionally they will become exasperated with us. Often it is with me, actually.

Maybe you should let DS know that from now on you will call people every time his behavior is disappointing...

I don't need to call anyone. I just post it here and POOF! 30 or so of my friends know all at the same time!

If you want to do the regular shark swim, it is included in the cost of admission. The $20 is for a longer swim. We love the wave pool at TL, so we keep making the decision to go back there instead of BB. We went to BB only once when the older kids were pretty little. Maybe we'll try it again next time.

Hmm. So maybe the UG was talking about something other than just swimming across.

I love all three, but my favorite is #3. Ds said #3 is his favorite, too.

#3 is my favorite!

Elizabeth, the Talbots shorts fit perfectly. The Cherokee are a little tight. His patience ran out before he tried on the Sonoma, but they look a little bigger than the Cherokee, so I think they will fit. Thanks again!

I'm glad he will be able to wear most of them!

I just found bugs in Colby's room I have no idea what they are, but they are freaking me out. I need to call an exterminator, but there aren't any listed in the yellow pages This is not good at all.

Did you look under "Pest control"?

I think I am all set for Daniel's last day of school tomorrow. I bought his 2 main teachers gift cards from Barnes & Noble. While I was there I got the books the kids need for summer reading.

Funny Katie & Daniel have to read the same book (The Big Wave by Pearl Buck) . She is not going to like that at all. We try not to emphasize Daniels abilities in front of her but things like this annoy the crap out of her & justifiably so.

Anyway, besides the teachers giftcards, I got his bus driver a gift card to dunkin donuts as I have no idea what he would want. He is a young man & very nice but I don't think B&N would have been a good choice..can't go wrong with dunkin I guess.

And here's a question for you...if you had 12 nights at the world would you do a split stay or just stay put?

Mmmm. Donuts!
I don't know about the split stay. Want me to call you on August 17 and tell you my answer? If we had a car (or planned to rent a car) then moving wouldn't be a big deal. As it stands now, moving 3 times is going to be a pain. AKL is fabulous, which is why we bought DVC there. We liked WL well enough last year, but we were sad we didn't book AKL. I have always wanted to try CR, so if there was an incredible AP rate (like the one for June/July) it would be hard to resist.

You are right, it is hard to find a balance. Daniel's work (he is in 3rd grade) sometimes surpasses hers (she's in 6th) & sometimes they are working on the same thing. Unfortately she has had to go to her brother for help once or twice which makes her even more surly than usual.

I wish DS HAD a summer reading list! I guess we'll go to the library and see what the private schools require. There is a big binder with all of the different private school lists. DS is sort of reading the Narnia series, but he isn't really into it.
I think surly is just a 12 year old thing.
DS seems to do a little better on the days he takes a Focalin. We don't like to have him on meds in the summer, but his attitude seems better. The pharmacist told me we shouldn't go cold turkey on the meds anyway, so flat out stopping for the summer isn't good idea. He goes to the Dr. next month so we'll see what he has to say as far as DS's growth and meds and so forth.

Princess used the potty today for the very first time! I think it is because she swallowed so much pool water! I was very proud of her.
I feel bad because her little fingers are raw from "monkey walking" along the edge of the pool. She told me her finger had an ouch, and when I looked her fingers were bleeding! Hopefully they won't be sore for too long! She also skinned her knee, and she has what looks like an ant bite on her wrist. Rough day outside!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Airlines seem to be charging for EACH WAY. So that's $25 down and $25 back.
Mom and I joke that we should tell the airlines that they need to have two flight attendants and just show a video to tell you how to buckle up and use the O2 masks. When they scan your ticket at the door, they give you a bottle of water and that be the end of it. If you really think about it, it's a glorified bus - and you don't really see a flight attendant on a bus. (Though I'm sure a captain won't restock a roll of TP for the bathroom.)

A lot of the American planes DO have a video, first in English, then in Spanish. And the video tells you to follow along in the card located in the seatback. You are right - other than serving drinks and collecting the empty cups they don't do much. Well, there was that one who yelled at the guy for standing up and threatened to have him met by security and arrested at the gate. That was pretty cool.
I watched a show one time about flight attendant training, and if the plane crashes they appoint PASSENGERS to aid the OTHER passengers at the bottom of the bouncy slide! I guess the flight attendants have to stay on the plane until everybody else is out. Sorry, once my family is at the bottom of the bouncy slide we are going to RUN, not stand there and tell other people to run!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Heidi - Can you imagine the website the TSA could have if they could transmit those images?!!! That would be the most popular site ever invented! The naked airport people site! That would be HILARIOUS! If they want to look at my flab underneath my clothes then more power to them.

 

[PNO4TE]

Oh no. The last metro stop is about 35 miles from my house. I wish! Marci - don't worry about scheduling. Just go and have a great time with your family. If it happens to work out that we can get together, that's great! But please don't feel like you need to try to 'make it fit.' I completely understand, and most importantly, this is family time for you all.

I agree, Marci! Have a ball and just let us know what you are doing as you know the itinerary. If we can make it work, we will!

 

[PNO4TE]

And here's a question for you...if you had 12 nights at the world would you do a split stay or just stay put?

I think with 12 nights I would do a split stay. Maybe even a triple stay.

I would move once, maybe. Depended on the resort and how many people I had to move.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Ohhh yeah.

Heidi - Can you imagine the website the TSA could have if they could transmit those images?!!! That would be the most popular site ever invented! The naked airport people site! That would be HILARIOUS!

 

[tinker1bell]

Cirque du Soleil was awesome! We had a really good time. Afterwards, we went to Disney Quest for my nephew.

My girls are leaving today. They both have things going on that they needed to get back early. We were scheduled to go do Blizzard Beach this morning but Chuck is tired of being in the sun. My sister didn't enjoy Typhoon Lagoon so nixed Blizzard Beach for her & the kids. Chuck and I are taking my girls to breakfast and Downtown Disney. They leave at 12:50.

Hi Vicki,

I am so glad you enjoyed Cirque du Soleil. It was awesome. Didn't you just love the little girls?

 

[mommykds]

I would move once, maybe. Depended on the resort and how many people I had to move.

Well it's us 5 & we will have our minivan. I pack like Elizabeth so maybe I can put 1/2 the trips clothes in separate bags from the other half & leave them in the car while we are at the 1st resort.....hmmmm..still thinking on what to do.

 

[babytrees]

We're kind of a family of nerds ourselves, though without the drive to do something as great as start Apple or Pixar.

we are nerds of the musical sort in my house (if you all haven't noticed ) all more than willing to follow the director.

 

[mommykds]

Ohhh yeah.

Oh you naughty miss Heidi!

 

[babytrees]

I will probably be the only one to say, I'd keep the whole trip at one resort. We don't do anything at the resort other then take a mid-day break if John wants one, and to sleep and shower.

I think if I have the choice I would keep us at one resort also...we ended switching (albeit after only one night) and it just threw the whole day off.

 

[babytrees]

Ohhh yeah.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Airlines seem to be charging for EACH WAY. So that's $25 down and $25 back.
Mom and I joke that we should tell the airlines that they need to have two flight attendants and just show a video to tell you how to buckle up and use the O2 masks. When they scan your ticket at the door, they give you a bottle of water and that be the end of it. If you really think about it, it's a glorified bus - and you don't really see a flight attendant on a bus. (Though I'm sure a captain won't restock a roll of TP for the bathroom.)

So true, Chanon. The "service" we received from American flight attendants on the flight to/from Honolulu from DFW was laughable, at best. On the flight over (since it's a whopping 8 hrs. and 5 mins.) they are entitled to a crew "rest area" where they have reclinining seats, a curtain for privacy, etc. Hmm, I work 12+ hour days and barely blink, but I can see why serving drinks in plastic cups is too taxing after 8 hours. (On the way home, they have to sell the seats in this rest area since coming back is under the 8-hr. mark.)

No food in coach on either flight, and we got offered drinks only twice on the way over. On the way home, they gave us drinks once at the beginning of the flight, and virtually disappeared. I started coughing about 2 hours before landing, and went all over the plane looking for an attendant - none to be found, except in 1st Class (and you can't cross that fine line). I rang for an FA, and it took 15 mins. for one to show up. I asked for a glass of water and she came back 5 mins later with a tepid glass of room temperature water - no ice, no smile.

I remember a day when FA's actually took pride in their job. Based upon the service they give these days, I can't say I blame the legacy carriers for continuing to try to stiff them when it's contract negotiation time - although I'm sure that's a correlative relationship.

My new theory is that everyone should get a weight allotment for the plane - say, you get 400 or so pounds for your body and your bags, and how you use it is up to you - and anything over your weight allotment, you pay for on a sliding scale. If it's all about fuel costs and weight, then I don't see why I have to pay more for an extra bag, or a bag that is 55 lbs., vs. the 350-lb. guy boarding with a burgeoning roll-aboard.

 

[yellowfish78]

...takes a whole new meaning to "See you at the airport!"

 

[mommykds]

...takes a whole new meaning to "See you at the airport!"

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Lindsay - I am SHOCKED that there is not food service on an EIGHT HOUR flight!! Holy cow! What surprised me on Eagle was that they gave DS and me each the whole can of soda! On regular flights you just get as much soda as they can pour into the little cup of ice, and the rest of the can goes away on the cart!
I am sure if you were in a union you could lobby for a rest area!

Poor Princess's fingers are very sore. She didn't take a very long nap. Maybe a little Motrin will be in order at bedtime. She won't let me put Neosporin on them, and since she is up now it would just make everything sticky.

I started a pre-trip report. Even though I think it is a "clique" thing. I decided to do one because I couldn't think of anything better to do while Princess was napping! DS went home with DH right after lunch, so I was bored.

 

[bethbuchall]

Theresa, a friend told me that we really should try to fit Casa Bonita in when we are in the Denver area. I saw that it's not real far from you. What do you think? Have you been there?

 

[babytrees]

Theresa, a friend told me that we really should try to fit Casa Bonita in when we are in the Denver area. I saw that it's not real far from you. What do you think? Have you been there?

It's a lot of fun...but the food is nasty (okay not nasty but you pay for the atmosphere not the food). Jim and I are taking the 21st off so where ever you want to meet we will meet you.

Here's a partial list of things we love to see in CO Springs:

Garden of the Gods (costs a little)
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (costs a little)
the Air Force Academy (no charge)
Cave of the Winds (can cost a lot!!)
Broadmoor Hotel for lookie looing
The Olympic Center (most parts free...except the ice skating rink)
Van Briggle Pottery...used to not cost anything
and a great park that is a re-telling of Colorado Springs history

there is more I just can't think of them

I would recommend going up at least a little way up Pikes Peak

food recommendations are iffy from me...I never can remember restaurant names Casa Bonita and White Fence Farm are great for "tourist" stuff.

I am happy that I might get to met another DDA'er....I promise we aren't stalking you...we were going to take the 21st off anyway.