TSA changing rules?

[BuckNaked]

I heard briefly about this on the radio today, and I haven't investigated further, but apparently the TSA is thinking of relaxing some of the post-9/11 rules. Among those changes would be no longer forcing everyone to take off their shoes and rescinding the ban on razor blades, scissors and knives up to 5" long.

Believe me, I think the rules could be relaxed in some areas, but am the only one that finds it outrageous to think that the weapons used on 9/11 could once again be permitted on passenger aircraft?

 

[C.Ann]

I heard briefly about this on the radio today, and I haven't investigated further, but apparently the TSA is thinking of relaxing some of the post-9/11 rules. Among those changes would be no longer forcing everyone to take off their shoes and rescinding the ban on razor blades, scissors and knives up to 5" long.

Believe me, I think the rules could be relaxed in some areas, but am the only one that finds it outrageous to think that the weapons used on 9/11 could once again be permitted on passenger aircraft?

--------------

HUH???? I'm not afraid of flying at all, but I'm not so sure how I would feel if they allow those sorts of "weapons" again.. Maybe it's a "good" thing that I'm going to be driving to Florida in January rather than flying...

 

[KarenC]

You're right, on the surface it sounds odd that they would allow those items back on the plane. Perhaps since they've secured the cockpit doors, the weapons used on 9/11 wouldn't be effective the way there were that terrible day.

 

[BuckNaked]

You're right, on the surface it sounds odd that they would allow those items back on the plane. Perhaps since they've secured the cockpit doors, the weapons used on 9/11 wouldn't be effective the way there were that terrible day.

I agree it most likely wouldn't result in another 9/11, but I can sure see it causing some major problems in the cabin.

 

[Nancy]

I flew this week and I was amazed at the difference in security at the 2 airports I was in. The Buffalo airport only made people in sneakers take off their shoes. In Baltimore, everyone does...even sandles. In Buffalo, I don't have to take my laptop out of the bag before it goes through the scanner, so I didn't do it in Baltimore and they just about flipped out! I apologized and I explained that I didn't have to in the Buffalo airport. We had to show our boarding pass at 2 points through the security checkpoints, in Buffalo only 1 time when you first get in the lines. I know it's because BWI is so close to Washington that their security is stricter, I'm not complaining, actually just the opposite, I think all airports should be that strict.

 

[Pugdog007]

I flew this week and I was amazed at the difference in security at the 2 airports I was in. The Buffalo airport only made people in sneakers take off their shoes. In Baltimore, everyone does...even sandles. In Buffalo, I don't have to take my laptop out of the bag before it goes through the scanner, so I didn't do it in Baltimore and they just about flipped out! I apologized and I explained that I didn't have to in the Buffalo airport. We had to show our boarding pass at 2 points through the security checkpoints, in Buffalo only 1 time when you first get in the lines. I know it's because BWI is so close to Washington that their security is stricter, I'm not complaining, actually just the opposite, I think all airports should be that strict.

I fly all the time and don't know of any airport that doesn't make you take your laptop out of the case, and most make you show your boarding pass at the entrance to security and again once you pass through the medal detector. Shoe thing is spotty, with the larger airports making everyone take theirs off. Sounds like Buffalo isn't following some of the rules.

 

[eclectics]

I heard briefly about this on the radio today, and I haven't investigated further, but apparently the TSA is thinking of relaxing some of the post-9/11 rules. Among those changes would be no longer forcing everyone to take off their shoes and rescinding the ban on razor blades, scissors and knives up to 5" long.

Believe me, I think the rules could be relaxed in some areas, but am the only one that finds it outrageous to think that the weapons used on 9/11 could once again be permitted on passenger aircraft?

I heard scissors and pen knives. Nobody said a word about razor blades! Even if they could guarantee a fed air marshall on evey flight, I don't think I'd ever be comfortable with razor blades floating around! I don't mind security at all. Bring it on! Make it even stricter. As long as our borders stay as unsecure as they are now, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would say Buffalo was lax also, laptops always are out of the case. And I do prefer it to be strict, no letting up in the regs.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8917950/

 

[BuckNaked]

Well, I guess the upside is that if knives are permitted, I'll be able to carry one too. And I will - the biggest one they allow.

 

[katerkat]

Well, I guess the upside is that if knives are permitted, I'll be able to carry one too. And I will - the biggest one they allow.

I'll have my bow and arrows, apparently.

 

[drakethib]

I heard they were no longer going to require people to take off their shoes but thats all. I probably wasn't paying attention to the whole story.

Also, personally I don't think (and pray) a 9/11 attack will happen again in a plane. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to TSA to let knives or whatever back on planes.

I think the mindset of our peers is different today.

Before 9/11, the public has always been told to co-operate with hostage takers and such if the situation (god forbid) came about.

Now I believe that the public realizes that this is no longer the case and you may need to unite with your peers and fight for your life such as in the case of the shoe bomber when the passengers of that flight jumped on the guy and restrained him until the plane landed.

It is sad that we have come to this, but I believe this is the world we live in now.

 

[wfloyd]

I guess the razor blades needs further defining. I don't think I could hurt anyone with the razor blades I use every morning. I have a hard enough time cutting myself. However, if we are talking about X-acto knives, then that is a little different.

 

[Nancy]

I fly all the time and don't know of any airport that doesn't make you take your laptop out of the case, and most make you show your boarding pass at the entrance to security and again once you pass through the medal detector. Shoe thing is spotty, with the larger airports making everyone take theirs off. Sounds like Buffalo isn't following some of the rules.

We must not be! Yikes! I never flew with my laptop before so I made a point of asking security if I needed to take it out and they said "no, don't bother" I have flown numerous times and I have to show my ID when I check in, but only the one time when I enter the security line. Baltimore, I showed at baggage check in, when I entered the line at the security and before I went through the metal detector. I thought it was just because of the airport being so close to DC. I don't remember MCO asking me for my ID a second time at the metal detector, they might have, I just don't remember if they did or not.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Well, if the security measures get any looser (and they're too loose as is) I will not fly anywhere EVER again. It was loose security that murdered thousands, and there's no reason for them to let it be loosened. It's already spotty at best. Security was unbelievably messed up in Boston in April (not that that should surprise me), but since that's where some of the hijackers flew from it should be tighter there, than at little, safe Manchester (NH). Only some lines there require shoe removal; others don't. I forgot to take my belt off, and even with a big metal buckle, the alarm didn't sound. Had I forgotten in Manchester, that alarm would have gone haywire, and I would have been subjected to additional screening. In Manchester, everyone takes off their shoes, even sandals (unless they're flip flops). Security has got to even out and has to get stricter. In Manchester my stepsister's bag went through the bomb chemical analysis thing because it had a dvd player in it. In Boston they let it through without batting an eye. After what has happened in this country, it's pathetic that we don't have stricter measures.

 

[safetymom]

I haven't flown through an airport yet that didn't require you to take your laptop out of the case. I fly quite a bit.

I do think they have a ways to go before they are secure at an airport. Ask a frequent flyer about the things they see when they fly. I could give them all sorts of recommendations to tighten things up.

 

[DebbieB]

I flew out of Jacksonville last Thursday and they put me through another type of machine in addition to the metal detector. It was about the size of one of those mall photo booths. You stood in it and air puffed out from each side from several places. It then gave the all clear sign. I should have asked more about it, but I assume it was for detecting explosives. They also took my laptop and swabbed it.

 

[Poohnatic]

Some of the airports I've been through have been more diligent than others, but for the most part, they all have been extremely thorough.

Dulles made me turn on my laptop and cell phone, but that's the only airport that wanted me to do so. I was flying at a slower time of day, so there were easily 100 security guards for one lane of screening.

Suzanne

 

[Pugdog007]

I flew out of Jacksonville last Thursday and they put me through another type of machine in addition to the metal detector. It was about the size of one of those mall photo booths. You stood in it and air puffed out from each side from several places. It then gave the all clear sign. I should have asked more about it, but I assume it was for detecting explosives. They also took my laptop and swabbed it.

That technology is supposed to be on the horizon for all US airports. I've only gone through one once - and it was at the CN Tower in Toronto. It's neat.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The TSA is the MOST USELESS agency ever created. They are NO BETTER than the privitized services used prior to 9/11 (in fact they might be worse). I wish I could share with you all the MORONIC stories. We all would be better off if the TSA was disbanned and airports used privitized services. The way I see it is...have federal mandates and let the Airports be in charge of the security (prior to 9/11 it was the dominant airline in the terminal that was responsible for that terminal's security). Blah TSA.

I know there was a pilot program for privitized screening. Does anyone know if any of it become permanent. I can't find anything on the STUPID TSA website. Okay, finally found something: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=09000519800b18a4

 

[drakethib]

The TSA is the MOST USELESS agency ever created. They are NO BETTER than the privitized services used prior to 9/11 (in fact they might be worse). I wish I could share with you all the MORONIC stories. We all would be better off if the TSA was disbanned and airports used privitized services. The way I see it is...have federal mandates and let the Airports be in charge of the security (prior to 9/11 it was the dominant airline in the terminal that was responsible for that terminal's security). Blah TSA.

I know there was a pilot program for privitized screening. Does anyone know if any of it become permanent. I can't find anything on the STUPID TSA website. Okay, finally found something: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=09000519800b18a4

Miss J.

Just a hunch.

You don't care for the TSA do you?