The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is such a stupid and reactive organization. I hate it. I hate that because one idiot attempted to “shoe bomb” an airplane and another tried smuggle aboard liquid explosives, millions and millions of travelers have been inconvenienced. Instead of implementing better technology that screens passengers more effectively, the TSA makes idiotic rules that make travel more annoying and time consuming. I was reading about some of the new TSA actions on FlyerTalk‘s message boards and was shocked the learn that electronics are currently banned on international flights.
Due to that Yemeni-trained moron that tried to blow up Detroit — and yes, he’s absolutely a moron for targeting a city that has become so minor due to rampant crime and dreadful unemployment — it looks like electronics will not be allowed on international flights headed for U.S. destinations. That’s right, some travelers have reported that they were not allowed to use electronic devices at all during flights headed to America. What’s even more ridiculous is that the restriction isn’t limited to personal electronics — airlines were instructed to turn off their in-flight entertainment, leaving some passengers with nothing to do but sleep for 13+ hours.
Not being able to move during the last hour of a flight is irritating, but somewhat understandable. Further limiting carry-on items is also a drag. Not allowing the use of electronics at all?!? That’s just f&*ing stupid. Hopefully that’s only happening for a few more days and airplane travel will resume its moderately annoying ways shortly.
If anyone from the TSA is reading this, please know that you suck and you’re doing an awful job. If secretary of homeland security Janet Napolitano is reading this, please know that you sounded like an inept moron trying to explain the situation on MSNBC.
The only silver lining I can see is that print media might make a comeback. That’s assuming that the TSA doesn’t screw the airline industry more than it’s already screwed. *sigh* And I was just getting used to the joys of in-flight WiFi….
Ha. Neat. Next possible restriction is denying for foreigners flight clearance, and then finally natives. Pretty soon, you folks will be coming to my people to have us manufacturer rafts for extended use out of used car parts and tarps. No electronic restrictions there… though you might have to subside on breast milk for a while…
@LarcenousLaugh I might be down with that…depending on who is providing the breast milk.
Ah…the wise and wonderful TSA. Amazing that people are willing to give up so much because of the actions of a few idiots.
Personally, I don't like the last hour rule myself. Something else absurd they have implemented. Furthermore the TSA employees aren't professionally trained or anything. They are run of the mill workers who probably worked fast food prior to doing TSA. That was my impression when I encountered them a few summers ago in NOLA. They didn't pay attention to me at all, I just put my pocket contents in something that looked like a dog bowl and walked through the scanner and they never once looked at me. They just continued jawing on about what they were doing after work.
You just know these damn people are digging through the confiscation / disposal cans when they drag them off. I really hate TSA employees. A bunch of no education, no training retards flexing some power. Like a backwoods cop.
stupid yes understadable bery much so it just for safety and from my plane trips i'd be pissed to hearing the load 5 year olds whos parents are to retarted to keep them under control…….i use my zune but i havn't flown in a year and so far no need to…..but what ever happened to a book?
@Jeremy
Perhaps you shouldn't fly if you are that concerned with your safety. Just drive yourself wherever.
@Smartguy Superman said flying is the safest way to travel.
@Ray
I agree that it is. When you just examine the amount of accidents by ratio flying is exponentially safer.
I just think it is ridiculous that people support the ultra intrusive and ridiculous crap for "safety" and well being.
What's next? Being strapped to your chair and blindfolded? That would make it safe…
The TSA is an example of the kind of crap that happens when the PotUS needs to cover his ass for being asleep at the wheel before a major terrorist attack. It serves no purpose besides making me get to the airport an hour earlier than I would have previously and is a complete dog and pony show.
@Nightshade
Which PotUS?
Honestly, until we are all forced to fly naked and check all our baggage, security is nothing more then reactive precautions made to look like proactive precautions. If someone wants to smuggle a bomb on, they are going to do it. It's up to everyone on the plane to be aware of what's going on. I would love to see real world numbers on how many lives were saved because I couldn't pack a bottle of water with my carry-on, or my son couldn't use his DS.
I have a friend that flew in for Christmas so as a last second gag gift I bought him an alarm clock that looks like Dynamite with a timer on it. Sadly he refused to take it with him on the plane ride back. And I am sure as heck not mailing it to him.
That's what it looks like:
http://thinkinfreak.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2…
first, they wont let us bring the awesome food from the philippines or from hong kong, now this? burn in hell TSA…burn in hell…
@larcenous
your statement reminds me of what my grandfather told me a long time ago: "locks are only for honest people". in other words, someone who is intent on doing harm will do it no matter what.
@Smartguy: Bush. He's the one that created the TSA in the first place as a response to 9/11. Perhaps reading a few memo's and reacting to them prior to said event would have prevented not only the terrorist attack in question, but perhaps a couple of useless wars too. But hey, call me crazy….
And yes, I'd bash they guy for that level of stupidity regardless of political affiliation. Somethings transcend politics. The loyalty that man gets from the right baffles my mind. There comes a point when you've gotta say, "Listen, this just isn't working out. We can still be friends though, right?"
@Nightshade
I'm not a big fan of his don't get me wrong. Yeah the TSA was ridiculous but don't forget it was also the stupid congress and average voter who over reacted as well. (side note: i always thought no child left behind was retarded as well)
Call me crazy…but Clinton should have dealt with Bin Laden or at least started the process. That could have avoided a few wars (useless is relative).
i dont want to go all politico all over this post, but, i just dont get why some people prefer bush than obama? im even happy that the healthcare bill got passed, big advantage for my grandpa and grandma, since they recently got their insurances rejected for some unknown BS reason
@Smartguy: Clinton did try to take out Bin Ladin, but because he did it in the middle of the whole Monica scandal, the news media and the right wing said he was just trying to divert attention away from his own issues. No one ever wants to remember that, they just wanna blame it on the previous guy. I'm not saying Clinton was the greatest, cause he wasn't. I don't think we've had a great president in my lifetime, honestly. But Bush was easily the worst of the bunch.
@Nightshade
Clinton could have done more. I think the problem was Congress more than either of the presidents in discussion. Congress is a corrupt bitch. They need some term limits. Worst of my lifetime: Carter. Bush doesn't hold a candle to Carter. Jury is still out on Obama. He could wind up being the worst. We'll see though. I think he'll be at about Clinton's level at the end though.
I think the left wing is just as hypocritical as the right.
@Smartguy – I agree with your grandfather. Locks are a deterrent for the lazy thief. If someone wants what you have, they are going to get it. Does that mean that I don't lock my house up? Hell no! If you are going to take what I earn, your ass had better be prepared to work for it. However, the lock on my door is not an inconvience for me, only for the thief. All this shit with the TSA, it's an inconvience for everyone.
Other numbers I would like to see: Average incidence of plane hijacking/terrorism prior to 9/11 versus incidences since. The average should be better, but I can't imagine it was that bad all along.
Philisophical point: If we change our lives and routines because of terrorists, have they in truth, acheieved their purpose?
You're right, if the TSA was REALLY serious about security screening, they would have better technology and better people to make it easier for everyone. It is also true that a lot of these measures are pretty pointless since they really won't prevent anything. More likely is "appearance of safety" to trick the masses into a false sense of security. Would you believe that I was allowed to carry my Swiss Army Knife/Flash Drive combo on almost every flight for the past 8 years? Flights both overseas and within the US. They finally caught it in Boston and I had to mail it back to myself from a post office kiosk.
I am a private pilot, and I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of airports in this country are smaller C and D-class airports that have shorter runways but are more open and accessible to anyone. A lot of pilots don't even lock the doors of their aircraft that they park out on the tarmac. It has always been this way, but if people are vigilant and use some common sense- that is the best weapon we could ever use against those whom would do us harm… not idiotic procedures used to make people feel better. There is no substitute for education, even though lots of people in the government would like to think otherwise.
-M
@iceman
Have you had to jump through extra hoops since 9/11 to maintain your pilot license?
@Smartguy;
I got my pilot's licsence in December of 2006, so I'm not sure what I had to do (or not do) as a result since then.
-M
@iceman
It's cool. It is definitely one of those Mondays where I wish I had a hammock in my office or anywhere in the building honestly.
yikes, I'm headed to Europe in 2010 and if I can't use any electronics it's likely I'm going to get us in trouble on the flight. The TSA are worthless, second only to meter maids
@Iceman Quadrupley agreed. The security procedures in BKK (Bangkok) and Narita (NRT) are much faster than LAX/SFO. In a few cases, they found some things in my luggage that the Americans didn't detect — a set of computer screwdrivers I forgot about and bottles of water. I expect this from Japan since it's technology can make awesome things like Gamera, but Thailand?!? When a third-world country has a better airport and superior staff, you're doing it wrong.
@Jeremy Books are heavy. :P
If safety was truly a concern then implementing screeners with better technology would be the priority.
As a frequent international traveler, this is a big deal to me. There are so many TSA procedures that are useless and time consuming. A lot of them don’t make anything safer.
i personally like flying being free in the air is great especially when im flying and really not concernd with safty "no fear of loss"
@Jeremy
??
…Sorry, I meant “license”. I’m having one of those Mondays…
-M