Terrorism Bust

[Stella]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html

[Ravenclaw]

Re: Terrorism Bust

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/us.security/index.html

So scary!

[DCJenn]

Yeah, I figure my trip to Pittsburgh just got significantly more complicated. Guess I can forget about trying to sneak the plastic knitting needles through...

You know what pisses me off? How f-ing reactive TSA is. They're the absolute worst about the "rules are rules" mentality. (Like Kris' kids being on the no-fly list) and what's more frustrating is that I swear 90% of the time, they're not actually following any rules, just the ones they make up in their heads.

Weekly flying taught me two things 1) every airport security system is different and 2) the people who wanted to be cops and were too stupid and didn't get in and quit working for Wells Fargo and Loomis et al- they're the people who work for TSA and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the power they have.

Asshats.

but I digress. the good news is that another plot has been foiled.

Jenn

[Tenacious_D]

I'm supposed to fly out to London a week from today and I have to admit that I am a bit freaked out but am glad they found out who was doing this. Perhaps it will be the safest time for anyone to fly. When will the world be safe...

[DCJenn]

Never has been and certainly won't be now...

Don't freak- the trip to London will be fine. Well, the flight will be long and you'll probably hate the person next to you when you finally land- but... the trip itself will be fine.

Jenn

[Tenacious_D]

Never has been and certainly won't be now...

Don't freak- the trip to London will be fine. Well, the flight will be long and you'll probably hate the person next to you when you finally land- but... the trip itself will be fine.

Jenn

I hope I don't hate the person next to me since it will be DH . I am not worried about the length of the flight (after Japan everything is a quick trip) I just worry about how long it will take to actually get on the plane and what we can now bring with us. I like bringing my own drinks but I guess not this trip.

[DCJenn]

I just pulled the TSA list and other than liquids being brought onboard, nothing else has changed. (and I CAN bring knitting needles!)

Jenn

Hey Tara,

Any tips for making air travel easier after pacemaker surgery? My dad got one a few months ago and hasn't yet flown since then. Thanks.

[fluffhead]

I think I may be getting too cynical, but the first thing that pops into my head after they "foil" another of these plots is that election campaigning must be beginning, or they must need some attention diverted from Iraq.
This was supposedly accomplished by the Brits, so I guess Major needs a boost?

bah, humbug.

don't mind me, I voted for Joe.

Actually Fluff, that's usually my first thought too. Especially w/Bush on the news today repeating "the world is not safe. there are still those who wish to do us harm. we must not rest."

I found a tad more credibility in that the Brits did the busting ... but it still seemed fishy.

Obviously glad it was foiled. TOTALLY agree w/Jenn on the TSA. I never argue (what is the point), but they are irritating. Jacob had to get hand-scanned at LAX when he was 3. The guard didn't even say "thanks buddy" or "good job" just "lift your left foot" , etc. He did it like a trooper, even though he was probably SO confused!

I just wish Bush would quit saying that we are hated because we're "freedom lovers". How about the myriad of gross missteps in our foreign policy over the decades?! That, and we're infidels?! I just don't think "Freedom hating" is on the terrorists' top 10 reasons they want us dead.

[planet]

I still remember the time we flew through Logan (pre 9/11) and the guy in front of us had a long, bulky thing wrapped in brown paper and tape. It was about the size of a rifle (what I was thinking at the time). The security folks told him it wouldn't fit through their scanner. He told them it was just a muffler. So they waved him through.

I'm glad that airport security is taken more seriously in theory, but I am also sick of extreme, reactive ways it gets implemented. Also, add me to the mildly suspicious list about the timing of this bust.

[PrincessFiona]

We picked up the kids and in order to get to the gate, I had to pour out Zoe's water in her bottle...was supposed to be used to make formula. Fortunately, I was able to get water at the water fountain. The woman behind me was making a long flight and had breastmilk in a cooler bag...She had to leave the cool pack behind her.

Other than having to take off shoes etc it wasn't too bad.

But....I don't think I'll fly until things calm down.

Would it be a terrible thing to simply say that we will no longer even grant visitor or student visas to people from these fanatical countries? Obviously it would stink for all of the nice people wanting to travel, but...it sure would cut out a lot of the crapola.

kris

[DCJenn]

Um, which crazy fanatical country would that be? Britain? Jordan? Qatar? Ireland? Indonesia? Phillipines? Sri Lanka? Pakistan? India? Germany? Russia? Ukraine? Spain? THE UNITED STATES?

Every country I've mentioned and every other one you can think of has radical militant groups of one sort or another. Blowing each other up is sport for an unfortunate many.

and let's not forget the "home-grown" terrorists- such as the now deceased Timothy McVeigh.

When we start generalizing, we start to lose what little humanity we have left.

Jenn

[Stella]

Since I am flying this weekend, I decided to check out TSA's rules since the London bust...

You can bring a gel-filled bra but not gel inserts in shoes. (Poor old man who wears orthopedic shoes, but small breats rejoice!)

WTF?