Our skies are safer...

[DisDuck]

Yesterday there was a news report, also discussed on the Tucker Carlson Show(MSNBC) that the TSA has finally succeeded in making airline travel safe again.

It seems that several children under the age of 2 (also many under 12) have been turned away from traveling on an airline because their 'name' turned up on the NO-FLY list. Yes, toddlers are the new 'terrorists'.

Thanks TSA for making it safe to fly again.

 

[Minnie824]

I saw that too...isnt that ridiculous?

 

[Castlebound]

Both my DH and our 6 y/o DD are on the terrorist list. We can't get our boarding passes online because of this. The last time we flew it was a big pain. The next time we fly Southwest I have to buy their tickets separately. So that my DS and I can get our boarding passes online and get a better chance of getting an A or B boarding pass.

 

[NMAmy]

Yesterday there was a news report, also discussed on the Tucker Carlson Show(MSNBC) that the TSA has finally succeeded in making airline travel safe again.

It seems that several children under the age of 2 (also many under 12) have been turned away from traveling on an airline because their 'name' turned up on the NO-FLY list. Yes, toddlers are the new 'terrorists'.

Thanks TSA for making it safe to fly again.

Well, DisDuck, I have seen some babies/toddlers on airplanes that--well, let's just say that if that's the only way we can get them off the plane, so be it.

I'm just kidding, everyone, I'm a mom myself and have actually taken a toddler on a plane so I've been there. Just couldn't resist.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Have they actually turned away children from flying? Or were they just subjected to the extra screening process?

I've wondered about this having seen a few small children being taken aside for extra scrutiny. Never understood the why and how they got selected.

 

[meandtheguys2]

It took us an extra hour to checkin because DS11 is on "the list!" They said to call him something else next time!

 

[DisDuck]

In one case the child was completely turned away so the family turned back also. In another case the parents had the child's passport faxed to the airport (didn't know that anyone under 2 has a passport).

In most cases of any age, being on No-Fly List means exactly that 'you do not go'.

 

[imsorry]

And to make us even safer, we can now carry our icepicks and bows and arrows again!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

In one case the child was completely turned away so the family turned back also. In another case the parents had the child's passport faxed to the airport (didn't know that anyone under 2 has a passport).

In most cases of any age, being on No-Fly List means exactly that 'you do not go'.

Well, that's just ridiculous. Do they honestly think a 2 yr. old or 6 yr. old is going to actually be a terrorist?

Yeah... I really feel safe knowing that toddlers with teddy bears are grounded while some adult could hop aboard with an ice pick in their pocket! Did the TSA just change their middle name from "Safety" to "Stupid"?

 

[debster812]

Devil's Advocate coming:

Last February our 7YO DS was flagged both ways as SSSS on his boarding passes. Our tickets were purchased online with Delta Song, which has NO way to indicate a passenger's age. As near as we can figure, his name (or a combination of the letters in his name) resemble someone, somewhere, on one of the 'lists'.

All that being said, prior to 09/11/01 no one here in this country EVER thought terrorists would use planes as missles and fly them into buildings. I don't think you could put it past anyone to use a child for something devious.

 

[Christine]

A co-worker's 12 year old son was placed on the NO FLY list because he has the same name as another person with suspected terrorist affiliations. In order to get his name off, the family has to come up with all kinds of "stuff" to have it removed. Until then, he cannot fly.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The TSA is a crock. I will save you from my rantings because I am unable to post the reasons why, but believe me, I am no fan.

 

[DisDuck]

As I mentioned this issue was discussed on Tucker Carlson's show last night. There was a guest host and the spot featured Penn J. of Penn & Teller. He made some very good points on the issue of airline safety outside of the 'stupidity' of no-flying toddlers. He talked about 'risk' and what 'risks' he is willing to take. His analogy was our 'founding fathers' took great risks including putting up their lives in order for this country to have the freedoms outlined in The Constitution. He, Penn, that acts like the TSA no-fly lists and some of the provisions of The Patriot Act have decreased our freedoms. In his opinion which I agreed with, he would rather take the 'risk' of flying then lose freedoms our country was founded on.

The TSA has got to get its act together. Screen passengers like before 9/11; make sure that all planes have hardened cockpit doors not to be opened to anyone while in the air or not at a gate. But eliminate the crazy shoe checks and no-fly lists. They are meaningless.

Do any New Yorker's feel safer or are safer because backpacks, etc. are subject to random searches. Even if all items were searched would we be any safer. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Why, because someone carrying explosives can enter Penn Station or Grand Central Station without going anywhere near a train and trigger the bomb. Someone can drive up to any of these places or how about Rockefeller Center.

The best response to the terrorists we can make is continue with our lives as if they are nothing. Outwardly ignore the 'bully'. Give them no 'voice'.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Oh the shoe checks are going away. In fact you will once again be able to take on the plane the very things the terrorists used if TSA follows through with what it has recently said.

Better than the TSA getting its act together, would be getting rid of it all together. Some airports are already back to privatized screeners with federal oversite.

 

[missypie]

Devil's Advocate coming:

Last February our 7YO DS was flagged both ways as SSSS on his boarding passes. Our tickets were purchased online with Delta Song, which has NO way to indicate a passenger's age. As near as we can figure, his name (or a combination of the letters in his name) resemble someone, somewhere, on one of the 'lists'.

All that being said, prior to 09/11/01 no one here in this country EVER thought terrorists would use planes as missles and fly them into buildings. I don't think you could put it past anyone to use a child for something devious.

Kids don't even have to show ID to fly...they're ticketed under whatever name the person buying the ticket says the kid's name is. If a child actually WAS a terrorist, wouldn't the person buying the ticket merely give a false name?

Of course a terrorist could USE a child for something devious. But those on the no-fly list are assumed to BE terrorists...unless they've added to the list the names of the terrorists' kids, the names of the kids of the acquaintances of the terrorist, etc., it's useless.

I just don't know what I'd do if our family couldn't board a plane because of what we'd named our baby. I'd probably end up detained due to some type of rage attack.

 

[cynsaun]

The TSA is a crock. I will save you from my rantings because I am unable to post the reasons why, but believe me, I am no fan.

Amen! Don't even get me started.

 

[RadioNate]

That is just wrong. I can't imagine what I would do if that happened to DS.

I will say though the last time we flew my DS (who was 3) was singled out for extra screening. All his bags were searched. We were taken into another room where he had to remove his shoes, belt etc and be wanded. Talk about a FREAKED out 3 year old. The poor TSA agent kept apoligizing since DS was clearly scared by the process. I wasn't allowed to touch him or "interfere" in anyway.

They tried to ask him all these 'security' questions but he just cried. He didn't understand and didn't answer. Finally they allowed me to tell him what to say and he would whisper it.

It was a total joke. I wasn't happy but I knew making a stink would get me no where. The good part was that the agents clearly knew the whole situation was just silly and were completely apoligetic.