OMGWTF TSA

[aggienaut]

   Seriously though.

   These new TSA regulations, WTF?

   I mean, they've always been a joke.

The confiscation of "sharp objects" down to and including nail clippers? Useless considering there's restaurants on the far side of the security checkpoint, which presumably have knives. You really think Al-queda can't infiltrate McDonalds and pass a knife off to their man on the plane? Or smuggle explosives in amongst the patties of grade F meat?

And that obnoxious rule about individually packaging your liquids and gels? What the hell does that accomplish? Would that have stopped the shoe bomber and his explosive shoes? Did it stop this fellow from smuggling his explosives in on his body? This rule accomplishes nothing other than getting my toothpaste confiscated when I forget about it. That and I saw a fellow lose a $40 bottle of wine he had bought in the previous airport, not realizing he'd have to go through another security checkpoint.

And now they're banning moving about the cabin in the last hour of flight, as if for a second a terrorist is going to be thwarted by that? Aside from the obvious (so a the terrorist will just strike at any OTHER time), if he really wanted to do his terroristing in the last 20 minutes is the rule going to stop him from jumping up and doing it anyway? It really accomplishes absolutely nothing other than being obnoxious.

And then of course the rules about not having blankets or any other objects on your lap, I'm guessing they'll reverse that pretty fast because that's preposterous. Apparently they even banned the provided in-flight entertainment on some international flights --- WHA? People are going to START committing acts of terrorism OUT OF SHEER BOREDOM! And HOW does watching a movie in the seat in front of you potentially lead to a terrorist threat?!?!?!?!

The Transportation Security Administration did little to explain the rules. And that inconsistency might well have been deliberate: What's confusing to passengers is also confusing to potential terrorists.

"It keeps them guessing," transportation expert Joseph Schwieterman said."

I think that's clearly bullshittery for "we have no idea what we're doing and we're making it up as we go along!"

   Seriously though, how obnoxious are they going to make flying? I think they should have the option of flying on special lower security flights, for those of us who'd rather take our chances with the terr'ists than the psychotic rule of TSA.


Picture of the Day

This seems like the appropriate juncture for a picture of a bald eagle in flight no?
Taken while under sail on the Colombia River last month.

See Also:
Getting Shafted by Airport Security (2004)
Racist TSA Agents (2003)

Comments

[sra33.livejournal.com]

The movie distracts people, and they don't notice the guy building a bomb next to them. *nod* I mean DUH. ;)

I'm about to depart on a flight from Detroit to Honolulu on New Years Day at 7am. I am NOT going to be a happy camper when I have to get there at FOUR IN THE MORNING, and I have to remain seated my entire effing flight. -.-

Besides, if we have to stay seated "1 hour prior to landing" then the knuckle head is just going to get up 2 hours ahead of time. Or 1 1/2. So effing retarded. *sigh*

[sra33.livejournal.com]

Also. Dude. "I think they should have the option of flying on special lower security flights, for those of us who'd rather take our chances with the terr'ists than the psychotic rule of TSA."

MAN OH MAN I'D PAY FOR THAT FLIGHT!

[strryeyedgrrl.livejournal.com]

Meh. The rules are irritating, but they don't bother me too much. My only real irritant comes when they fuck the rules up. When I took Ari to Disneyland a couple years ago, they had just started the new rule that if you had a whole game console (like a 360 or a PS3) in your carry-on, you had to pull it out like a laptop. Well, the people at SeaTac misinterpreted that rule and made me pull out every piece of electronics in my bag. Camera, cellphone, etc. When you have a squirmy three-year-old with you, that's not pleasant.

Otherwise, I just make sure to wear slip-on shoes and pack all my toiletries in my checked luggage. Besides, I hear that they're already relaxed the in-flight restrictions and it's up to the captain's discretion what is restricted.

[frakkthat.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more!! Terrorists have won because they have made the general population change the way we live!!! Not to mention if people want to kill someone, there are more creative ways to do it and you can probably find it on the internet anyways....sigh

[hopefulspirit.livejournal.com]

I don't see how they're going to be able to keep up with some of the new rules. My favorite is the staying in your seat the last hour of the flight. What if you have to use the bathroom?! Are they really going to tell you that you can't go?

I love the picture. :-)

[ryca.livejournal.com]

I have to fly somewhere next week. I might be compelled to pee on someone.

[ucrazyutaraptor.livejournal.com]

I haven't been on a plane since I was 13, let alone to America, what's all this liquids business?

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Something like all liquids and gels must be in separate containers of 3 ounces or less (I'm nor sure what that is in mils, 100, 150?), and they all must also be in a ziplock bag. It's utterly nonsensical, as (a) I'm sure you can make a bomb big enough to do some damage even with the allowable quantities; (b) one can smuggle liquids/gels in in other forms such as the soles of shoes, as has already been done!!!; (c) god forbid explosives be made out of powders and/or solids; (d) etc etc etc.

It's just really obnoxious because you can't bring your normal toothpaste/shaving gel/shampoo/what-have-you unless you check it (I don't check bags unless I have to, being as they've added extra charges for THAT); and I'd often probably bring fancy beer or wine as a gift to whomever I'm going to visit except it's forbidden as a liquid (even sealed wine bottles!), and I'm not going to check it because you know how they throw around bags ...

d:

[roina-arwen.livejournal.com]

Far as I can tell, all the restaurants on the far side of the security checkpoint (and I mean "real" restaurants, as opposed to McD's) have real forks and spoons but so far I've only found plastic knives. *eyeroll*

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

No kidding? They must have real knives in the kitchen though! Lol now I'm picturing them trying to cut a steak with a giant plastic knife.

[troubleagain.livejournal.com]

They're going to have to bring a mop if they don't let me go pee when I need to.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

they just don't want us to fly

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

If only our train system was better, I'd far prefer the train.

[buscemi.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of the "security" stuff is pretty useless. It's like they're saying, "Well, lets come up with some crap to make people feel safer, even though it doesn't accomplish anything." How did they miss the red flags from the guy going to Detroit? (e.g. buying a $2800 ticket with cash, no checked baggage, being rejected for a student Visa in the UK, parents warning the government about his behavior, etc.)

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Heh yeah that should have been all the red flags they needed.

I'm convinced that those at the top who make the rules KNOW they don't help one bit, they literally ARE designed to be intrusive and thus make people really feel like they're doing something .. even though they're not.

[mermaidkween.livejournal.com]

TSA: Good at protecting us tomorrow from the tactics terrorists used yesterday.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Lolz that's fantastic. Did you make that up?

[kabandra.livejournal.com]

I'm not looking forward to flying back from DC and experiencing this all first hand this weekend.

can you listen to electronics with them sitting beside you (not on your lap)? Seriously, if I have to spend an entire hour of my life sitting with my hands to my side in a tiny aircraft seat, I'm going to be pissy.

Flying is always a risk. I think I have more chances of crashing into an ocean than I do being in the midst of a terrorist act.

Sigh :/

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

But of course, as they always say, driving is actually statistically more dangerous. So the money would be better spent on traffic safety. I know some people have an irrational fear of flying .. well then those people should pay extra for a special high security flight option or something.

[yukonsally]

These rules are ridiculous. They are only punishing those who haven't done anything! If a terrorist is going to blow up a plane, he's not going to care that he can't have his mp3 player during flight.

And that bit I heard last night that airlines are taking map with flight time off the in-cabin screens for the last hour so terrorists won't know how much time is left on the flight? Um... an hour from the time the map is taken off the screen. And there's this crazy invention out there--a watch. It's not hard to know how much longer the flight will be if you read the flight info.

So glad I only have to fly every other Christmas. Hell, even with gas prices, I'll drive everywhere else and stop to stand up as much as I please!

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Lolz! Yeah, god forbid a terrorist take note of his scheduled arrival time and bring a watch!!

[wildcelticrose.livejournal.com]

What I'd like to know is, what are they going to do about the passgengers that have Chron's Disease, IBS, prostate trouble, lactose intolerance or are prone to UTI's?

Are they going to force them to soil their seats and then sit in it?

Seriously. WTF?

Getting Pissy

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Oh, you know, they'll decide they need doctor's notes for that, and then will come the obvious fact that if a terrorist NEEDED to hijack the plane specifically in the last hour for some reason, and didn't feel like just jumping up and doing it, he could find a way to get a doctor's note saying he has a weak bladder.

[chandrielle.livejournal.com]

I made someone flounce from LJ over a TSA discussion a few months ago. He said on my personal LJ (knowing what I do for a living) that he was never going to fly again because he had allegedly been the victim of a rather unpleasant incident at the airport security checkpoint. He argued that it was the airline's fault, and I told him it was actually the TSA working airport security and the airline has nothing to do with it. He tried to say the airlines are the ones making these restrictions. I pointed out that it was a government agency and that the airlines aren't too fond of the security measures either. (For every plane-ful of passengers rolling their eyes at new regulations, there are a bunch of flight attendants saying, "oh fuck me, I have to enforce what now?") I made the analogy that his mistreatment by TSA agents on the way to his flight was similar to that of being a victim of road rage on the way to work in the morning. You can't blame your job for the jackhole that rode your ass and flipped you the bird. So he left a flouncy post on LJ and then deleted a month later.

I expect a huge drop in passenger sales again. I really don't want to get laid off. :(


"I think they should have the option of flying on special lower security flights, for those of us who'd rather take our chances with the terr'ists than the psychotic rule of TSA."

I'm in.

[crysania4.livejournal.com]

And that is what SUCKS. It affects the people working at the airline when TSA does this stupid shit which causes some of us to decide to not fly. I just can't deal with it. Last time I had a nasty run in over saline solution (OMG WHAT?) when the stupid TSA moron didn't even follow their own rules.

[unfuckwithable.livejournal.com]

How very fascist. I haven't stepped foot on a plane since the late 90s & this lunacy is much of why. At this rate, the public will grow increasingly appalled, remain grounded & the airlines will go belly up ...all of which does wonders for the economy, of course!

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Seriously, it's really verging on unbearable with the newest innovations. d:

[wiredwizard.livejournal.com]

Newest piece of rule stupidity I came across was in this morning's newspaper: You can't take a *book through airport security. You can take one on the plane, but only if you buy it *after going through airport security. Who was the fucking moron who thought *that up. (Dunno if that's just in Canada or if it applies stateside as well)

All this bullshit is *really not making me look forward to flying stateside next week for the CES.

[yukonsally]

you can't take a BOOK!?! I imagine they won't like ereaders, either, never mind flying is half the reason people buy them.

[technophobe1975.livejournal.com]

Great picture - was it taken near where you live?
Plus I reckon that considering the chemicals added to the average McDonalds meal you could create a medium sized explosive device simply by using items on the menu!

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Ohohohoho this wins "comment of the day" I think :D


Last month I sailed down the Colombia and up the coast of Washington on the tallship Lady Washington, replica of an 18th century vessel (shockingly ALSO named the Lady Washington). This picture is from that adventure (:

[boxsofrain.livejournal.com]

I think you have to keep your hands in your lap the last hour of the flight too, where everyone can see them.

[crysania4.livejournal.com]

Wow that's gonna cause some problems. Someone reaches around to scratch their back and everyone jumps on him. Fun times!

[bigmugoftea.livejournal.com]

I read that already they're relaxing some of the rules and it'll be down to pilots discretion. I fly in April and I hope they're more relaxed by then.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling most of these rules will get withdrawn, they're just too dumb and obnoxious to stay.

[rugbybaby.livejournal.com]

The part that leaves me questioning is the 'have nothing on your lap for the last hour.' Quite frankly, if a terrorist gets on the plane, that's it. Better safe than sorry, sure, but it would be nice to think that we make rules for some practical reason.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Yeah as if they can't have their bomb in the backpack they placed under the seat in front of them. Sure the person next to them will see them fumbling with it but is anyone really going to be asshole enough to be like "OMG THE PERSON NEXT TO ME IS RUMMAGING IN THEIR BAG!!!!"

[joeymichaels.livejournal.com]

Have you read Nate Silver's discussion regarding the mathematical odds of getting harmed in a terrorist attack?

Dude, we're the fricken Internet. We got a president elected. Why can't we make some changes in the way the TSA does shit? I mean, we all know this security business is fricken' theater here, but the TSA isn't fooling anyone and is just proving to terrorists that terrorism works. I mean, clearly the TSA is terrified here.

The War on Terror is over. Terror won.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Indeed terror has won.

I like that math article. I just think it's so preposterous that there's so many better ways to spend our time and money than making flying, already a pretty damn safe activity in the scheme of things, even more obnoxiously safe.

Also I liked your entry on the schoolboard outlawing everything.

[rheyamorgaine.livejournal.com]

I'm going to have to stab someone with my nail clippers it seems.

These were all regulations I had seen before. The last hour of flight one might have only been local to us when I lived in DC but it was part of what I dealt with flying in and out of National.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Even the ban on objects in your lap?

[elvenforever.livejournal.com]

That's a beautiful picture. And yeah, that is a lot of fuckwittery on the TSA's part.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Thanks (:

[kawanee.livejournal.com]

Alex's comment about all the regulations is: "This is making it more convenient to drive."

I have to agree, if you're going anywhere in North America. Just fucking get in the car and drive there. Seriously. Less of a hassle and you'll see more while you're doing it. So what if it takes longer? Just plan it right and it'll be fine.

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Yeah I like driving because then I have a car when I get there and can leave whenever I want or go somewhere else

[foolonthehill.livejournal.com]

I am starting to really never want to fly again with all these rules

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

I think the terrorists are going to stop bombing airplanes, not because it's too hard to bomb planes, but because it's too much of a hassle to get on them just as a passenger!!