Comments on: Flying under the influence of the TSA: What now?

By: Carrie Charney

Carrie Charney — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:14:32 +0000

On my last two flights, one domestic, from Newark to Anchorage, and the other international, from Newark to San Jose, Costa Rica, I did, indeed, encounter the unexpected. TSA agents ranged from serious, but not surly, to downright friendly and I got through all security lines quickly without experiencing or witnessing any hassles. In fact, my flying year has been pretty much like that. (I’m platinum, but only on Continental.) My husband won’t fly, unless it’s an emergency, preferring drive anywhere, including coast to coast. We each feel pretty comfortable in our modes of travel and equally as safe.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:57:12 +0000

TSA=the stupid arrive, or they stand around or thumbsucking assholes, or they steal alot….

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:18:11 +0000

I don’t expect Congress will do anything about the TSA. The Senate can’t even confirm a TSA administrator, held up because of right wing political concerns that have nothing to do with security. Shame on all of them.

By: em Hoop

em Hoop — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:32:37 +0000

What’s this I hear about hold luggage not being inspected/xrayed/scanned for explosives?
If it’s so, then why do we not hear more about this? I am already uncomfortable enough in the belief that commercial cargo is not inspected. To put all baggage in the hold, might not be the best idea, long term.
All-in-all, maybe the whole country should get a grip on itself and accept that flying, even with the rare explosion in mid-air, is safer than any other way to travel long distances. I take a chance on being murdered by a drunk or inattentive driver every time i go through an intersection on a green light. It’s so common a cause of death i don’t even think of it anymore. It would ruin every day in every way to do so. If we flew every day, I expect we’d all calm down because the potential for death with every trip would be routine and shifted to the back of the brain. Or are airlines/government worried about losing face or rising industry insurance rates, or some such. Not to mention all the jobs in the “anti-terror” industry.
Something tells me we are dealing with a complex situation and trying to deal with it in a one-faceted manner.
Or am I just thinking too much? I have pledged not to fly this year. Still haven’t paid for the last couple of trips……and besides, I can’t breathe properly in the tiny space I’m allowed in the flying sardine cans. And I’m not even overweight or overtall. So flying is last choice.

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Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:47:09 +0000

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By: Columbo

Columbo — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:36:05 +0000

THE AIRLINES CHARGING EXTRA FOR CHECKED BAGGAGE ONLY ENCOURAGES PASSENGERS TO CARRY ON BAGGAGE WHICH ONLY ADS TO MORE SCREENING AND DELAYS. CARRY ON BAGGAGE ALWAYS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRLINES EVEN BEFORE THE INCREASED SECURITY. DON’T ALLOW CARRY ON BAGGAGE AND RETURN TO THE FREE FIRST TWO CHECKED BAGS.

By: Hapgood

Hapgood — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:18:15 +0000

Thanks for telling it like it is, which until recently too many people were afraid to do.

But two comments: First, it’s obvious that there will be no reform of the TSA. It will be allowed to continue just as it is. That’s because the TSA is too valuable as facile posterior-covering for failed bureaucrats and bureaucracies.

President Obama deserves credit for admitting that mistakes were made,
something his predecessor was incapable of doing. But at least so far, no
heads are rolling anywhere in the Homeland Security bureaucracy. He
admitted that they made mistakes, but nobody is being called on the carpet
and held to account for them. The only specific thing he mentioned was “enhanced airport security.”

In other words, the only people he wants to punish for the systemic failings are air travelers. The people who failed will continue to fail, but the TSA will get more funding and authority to add new hassles and intrusions to the script. The “enhancements” won’t be any more effective than the TSA’s existing inconsistent improvisations, but that doesn’t matter. It’s much easier to call on the TSA when action is needed after an embarrassing failure than to herd all the cats in the Homeland Security bureaucracy. And some people will indeed consider the extra hassles a reassuring sign that the government is doing something to protect aviation. That has some value, but it doesn’t do anything to address the failures or to protect us from an attack that doesn’t repeat the tactics for which the “enhancements” are a reactive counter-measure.

Second, you’re correct in implying that the one and only thing we can do about the TSA (and also the way airlines mistreat their paying customers) is to “just say no.” Complaining or protesting won’t help, because nobody who has the authority has any interest in changing anything. But we DON’T “have to fly, anyway.” At least not always. It’s true that too often we don’t have any other choice. We have to fly for business, or to visit far-flung family. But in other cases we DO have a choice.

Last year, I spent some very enjoyable time creatively planning a delightful mix of road trips and staycations. And you know what? I’m not exaggerating when I say that those were probably the best vacations I’ve ever enjoyed in my life! I’m astonished at how many fascinating places there are within driving distance, which I had foolishly overlooked in the days when flying was easy and fun. (I wish I could have taken a train instead, but Amtrak’s ridicuous routes and schedules are useless for me.) I didn’t fly, and I didn’t have to “spend days in a car.” I’m already starting to research this year’s local adventures, which might include a somewhat longer road trip than what I did last year. The key is to spend the time researching and preparing, which is a distinct pleasure of its own.

If I can protest the ineffective stupidity by enjoying some of the best vacations I’ve ever had, you can too! Just remember, you DON’T always have to fly!