Comments on: One Nerd’s Note To The TSA

By: achamplin

achamplin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:16:47 +0000

I agree that MMWs might be a bit invasive. But we are talking about non-citizens boarding planes to the US from outside the country. I liked the comment about them only being used when other details add up to sketchy. Yeah, like being on a watch list maybe?

And although it has little to do in my mind with being creditworthy, it does seem likely that having a passport (wait, he didn’t even have a passport??) that matches your credit card would at least make someone a little less anonymous. And the comment about needing your company to pay for your plane tix? Get them to issue you a fricken company credit card with your cute little name right on it like the rest of us. If it was required, there wouldn’t be any argument.

Ultimately it’s not about the security on the plane, but who gets to get on it. I’d opt for scanning and screening and searching to their hearts content if a) they could actually do it effectively, and b) if they stop with the petty rules once you are on board. It’s too late by then anyway.

By: Alicia C

Alicia C — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:35:47 +0000

I don’t travel much but flying is not an option. I’ll make the drive or take a train. I’m completely terrified. So great job.

By: Nerds Rant and Rave about TSA | Married to a Nerd

Nerds Rant and Rave about TSA | Married to a Nerd — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:45:09 +0000

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By: Daviticus

Daviticus — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:57:46 +0000

I’m a Canadian who’s never flown in my life (and don’t think I will be anytime soon), so I’m not sure how much my opinion is worth, but I just had to give my input. I agree that these measures are lame, they punish the innocent more than protect them. (Also, I’d like to point out that to Americans, Canada is “foreign soil”!) I have mixed feelings about the alternatives you’re proposing, though. I guess I’ll tackle them individually:

NO CASH FOR TRAVEL

This one makes the most sense to me. Anyone with no credit has no business flying anyway!

MILLIMETER WAVE MACHINES

I totally agree with…Warren’s assessment of this one. At most, they should only be used on people on terrorist watch lists, like our Nigerian friend…sorry, “turdstain”.

UNIFORMED AIR MARSHALS ON EVERY FLIGHT

This one actually scares me a bit, I’m surprised you suggested this one. Besides, it could easily backfire like Micah said, and I for one would rather actually be secure than just have the “appearance of security”…which, the way I see it, is at the heart of the problem.

By: Brianary

Brianary — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:21:51 +0000

Bruce Scheier’s right, two things have helped since 9/11: reinforced cockpit doors and passenger awareness. Everything else is complete crap. You want a safety guarantee? Don’t leave bed. The world’s a tough place and bad things happen.

By: meatballsteve

meatballsteve — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:44:45 +0000

ever think that this guy might have been a plant? an article I read mentioned the guy had no passport, just an escort in a suit. they’ve been threatening to do the full body scans for almost 2 years now – they just needed an incident to pull the trigger on installing them.

this is the fault of the TSA, period. their staffing (and almost all staffing) at airports (not the airlines, btw, but they’re not great, either) is a f*cking joke.

TSA didn’t do their job, so now we’re all f’ed. nice.

By: Tom B

Tom B — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:47:01 +0000

To all who ask for a credit card to be used, it is useless if the credit card name does not match the ticket name, and I insist that my company continues to pay for my plane tickets. There is no way this will work.

By: Grenadine

Grenadine — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:01:21 +0000

I think the useless, clueless TSA should be dis-banded and the military forces that are not overseas should be staffing airport security and flying on airplanes — in units, in uniform, and menacingly striding up and down the aisles. Also, it’s time that political correctness takes one for the team and some of the never-has-happened-yet “Muslim backlash” is unleashed. OK, so all Muslims aren’t terrorists, but how about we let them fly in airplanes when they purge their own ranks of the radical nutjobs? Or, if that’s just too much for you, I propose that we not let anymore planes from other countries land in ours. Let the terrorists fly to Mexico and sneak across the border with the drug dealers. At least the border police shoot some of them!

By: alloallo3

alloallo3 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:19:00 +0000

Boy, howdy. The word “fuck” sure is funny. I can’t get enough of it.

By: jessicarabbit

jessicarabbit — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:34:02 +0000

You mean you’re not comforted by the fact that they confiscated my hairspray on a flight from Burbank to Portland last week? The bottle was a WHOLE OUNCE too big!!

Also, I’m a blonde chick who’s ticket was purchased months in advance via credit card. Oh, and my dad never called the CIA to tell them I was training with Al Qaeda in Yemen. There is that ….