TSA mess and the police

[Anjelica]

Back to the discussion at hand....

I was just looking at the news and it appears the National Opt Out day was a bust. Oops...parden the pun.

All airports are reporting their were no delays. I believe it was Chicago that reported they had 4 people opt out. I am in agreement with those that think any decrease in air travel is more linked to the economy that the new procedures. I think time will tell though.

I find the fact that National Opt Out day a bust more telling of how the American people really feel about the new procedures (or at least a majority on them).

But I thought travel was up 3% this year from last???

 

[skater]

I, too, say move on from personal attacks. I seem to be on a different side than C. Ann (and others) on this issue but I wouldn't, for a second, stoop to personal attacks. And, make no mistake that is what you did. Perhaps her sister had something traumatic happen to her that would make these pat downs just too traumatic for her. I don't claim to know anything about her, or her sister but I would never judge. I am very happy your life is so great. Mine is too. That is why I am so grateful for what I have and do not cast judgement on others not so fortunate.

Back to the discussion at hand....

I was just looking at the news and it appears the National Opt Out day was a bust. Oops...parden the pun.

All airports are reporting their were no delays. I believe it was Chicago that reported they had 4 people opt out. I am in agreement with those that think any decrease in air travel is more linked to the economy that the new procedures. I think time will tell though.

Very nice post. Reasonable.

 

[CathrynRose]

I find the fact that National Opt Out day a bust more telling of how the American people really feel about the new procedures (or at least a majority on them).

But I thought travel was up 3% this year from last???

It's my understanding, from reports, that almost all the airports with these scanners in place, are not using them today.

Looks like a bust, however (IMO) looks like the TSA is making it easy to appear as a bust, but in fact is not using them.

 

[skater]

I find the fact that National Opt Out day a bust more telling of how the American people really feel about the new procedures (or at least a majority on them).

But I thought travel was up 3% this year from last???

Maybe. I hope not (it would stink to be in the minority on this ). I always thought it might be a bust - people want to get home for Thanksgiving. I think it was never a good time to make a statement.

 

[OceanAnnie]

OceanAnnie thanks for that post.

That pretty much summed it up for me. Terrorists are poking and prodding, looking for weaknesses. We aren't going to see anything like 9/11 again. We will see something new. . .maybe not even related to air travel. Remember that movie about a terrorist plot at the Superbowl? That would be a big fish for a terror group to be able to carry out. Lots of people, millions of people watching. . .ugh! I think we do need more profiling, better intelligence, and more behind the scenes covert operations. Like a PP's article. . .the balance is off. Patting down 4yr olds and cancer survivors with colostomy bags isn't making anybody any safer!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr!

You're welcome.

The balance is off.

I, too, say move on from personal attacks. I seem to be on a different side than C. Ann (and others) on this issue but I wouldn't, for a second, stoop to personal attacks. And, make no mistake that is what you did. Perhaps her sister had something traumatic happen to her that would make these pat downs just too traumatic for her. I don't claim to know anything about her, or her sister but I would never judge. I am very happy your life is so great. Mine is too. That is why I am so grateful for what I have and do not cast judgement on others not so fortunate.

Back to the discussion at hand....

I was just looking at the news and it appears the National Opt Out day was a bust. Oops...parden the pun.

All airports are reporting their were no delays. I believe it was Chicago that reported they had 4 people opt out. I am in agreement with those that think any decrease in air travel is more linked to the economy that the new procedures. I think time will tell though.

I applaud you for that.

And I do agree with you that time will tell in regards to the impact of the new procedures. It's really too soon to tell, IMO.

 

[skater]

It's my understanding, from reports, that almost all the airports with these scanners in place, are not using them today.

Looks like a bust, however (IMO) looks like the TSA is making it easy to appear as a bust, but in fact is not using them.

Really? That woudl be interesting

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Just got back from Midway to pick up a friend. She said tons of agents standing around and did not see anyone getting scanned. Relatively quiet.

 

[DMRick]

I agree..but how are the few people opting out, if they aren't using them? Maybe that is just a rumor, that they aren't using them?

Really? That woudl be interesting

 

[Anjelica]

It's my understanding, from reports, that almost all the airports with these scanners in place, are not using them today.

Looks like a bust, however (IMO) looks like the TSA is making it easy to appear as a bust, but in fact is not using them.

Really - I thought they were going to use them no matter what and were suggesting to folks who did not want to worry about the long lines that "may" be caused by National opt-out day to use those as 1) its quicker than the patdown 30 seconds vs. 2-3 minutes and 2) there weren't going to be any lines for the body scanners IF quite a bit of folks did the National opt-out

Our local airport did NOT stop using the body scanners today (St. Louis) and have not been effected by "mass national opt-out".

Are there some other major airports that are not using them today?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

And yet you are missing the one thing you are in so very much need of, probably because you just don't recognize it as valuable.

Believe me I am grateful for all my blessings. And I do possess compassion and empathy. But the tsa is not forcing people to stay home. Only an individual can limit themselves that way.

Again I so do not like these new requirements on a personal liberties basis! But I am not going to let them get in the way of my love of travel. I will travel and be scanned, but I will not like it.

 

[CathrynRose]

Our local airport did NOT stop using the body scanners today (St. Louis) and have not been effected by "mass national opt-out".

Are there some other major airports that are not using them today?

Were you at the airport though?

The reports I'm reading, are "real" people, but online. However, none of the airports are flat out saying "We're not using them"

In fact, a few of the things I saw (I'm gonna have to grab links - I'm almost positive St Louis was one of them) reporting how the Opt Out Day has not affected anything, and it's running as smoothly as ever..... but that was at like 7am.

Lemme get some links.

 

[Anjelica]

This whole National Opt-out day may have been a bust to begin with possibly because the body scanners, while widely distributed to the various airports - doesn't sound like there is "enough".

"Most travelers passing through O'Hare and the other 450 commercial airports in the U.S. will be screened by metal detectors, according to the TSA. The agency said it has installed more than 400 body scanners at 70 airports. Some experts said that because the scanners are not being used yet as the primary screening method, a boycott would have only limited impact on airport operations."

 

[Anjelica]

Were you at the airport though?

The reports I'm reading, are "real" people, but online. However, none of the airports are flat out saying "We're not using them"

In fact, a few of the things I saw (I'm gonna have to grab links - I'm almost positive St Louis was one of them) reporting how the Opt Out Day has not affected anything, and it's running as smoothly as ever..... but that was at like 7am.

Lemme get some links.

Are you suggesting the local media with people posted at the local airport and interviewing both TSA officials and random travelers are incorrect? (they appear to actually be at the airport with the backdrops, etc. of the airport but hey since I'm not there I can't 100% validate).

Edited- found a link on one of the stories they showed at midday news (can't find the video though):

http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-travel-day-opt-out-airport-scan-112410,0,450848.story

"Not Many Opting out of Body Scanners"

"The other big concern for airport officials was the Opt Out Day plans. Fliers were being urged by some groups to opt out of going through the new body imaging scanners, and instead take the full body pat downs. But very few people at Lambert opted out, and so there were no delays because of it. Lambert only has a few of those scanners at both terminals, so even if fliers do opt out, it will have a minimal impact on delays."

 

[CathrynRose]

There was a lady on Hannity last night. I don't know who it was - didn't catch that - however something she said made me laugh.

Something along the lines of - You know when the ACLU and Conservatives agree on an issue, it's a BIG deal.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[CPT Tripss]

SNIP

Remember, if it were not for the failed airplane (read: underwear) bombing attempt last Christmas, installing the new body scanners would not be such a pressing need this holiday season. If the offense had stopped these attacks before they came so close to fruition, the use of full-body scans might not be as widespread. In this regard, the offense/defense balance seems off.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/aviation/safety/airport-security-vs-personal-privacy

The new scanners were ordered long before the underwear bomber burned himself. They have been in the pipeline for quite a while.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Sorry - not mine - came from another post from earlier today in this thread.

OK thanks, I'll just pass on my questions about the figures

 

[CathrynRose]

Start with this.... http://gizmodo.com/5698536/fliers-claim-tsa-have-deactivated-body-scanners

I found a lot of what I read from link-link-linking... I don't remember where I was. Ugh.

 

[ccgirl]

Were you at the airport though?

The reports I'm reading, are "real" people, but online. However, none of the airports are flat out saying "We're not using them"

In fact, a few of the things I saw (I'm gonna have to grab links - I'm almost positive St Louis was one of them) reporting how the Opt Out Day has not affected anything, and it's running as smoothly as ever..... but that was at like 7am.

Lemme get some links.

BOS, the 3rd busiest airport, was using them today. No effects of opt out.

 

[CPT Tripss]

It's my understanding, from reports, that almost all the airports with these scanners in place, are not using them today.

Looks like a bust, however (IMO) looks like the TSA is making it easy to appear as a bust, but in fact is not using them.

Just the fact that there is so much bandwidth being used on this topic makes NOOD successful.

 

[CPT Tripss]

And yet you are missing the one thing you are in so very much need of, probably because you just don't recognize it as valuable.

If he only had a heart . . .