Re: TSA and Airline Security (some relevant carry-on guitar content)


"Steve Hawkins" <res0pf02@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Xns98326865170FFres0pf02verizonnet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
NASA <nasa@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in DIgKg.7729$Mz3.3263@fed1read07:">news:DIgKg.7729$Mz3.3263@fed1read07:

I spent a week in Jordan, Egypt and Israel last week and departed from
Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv Wednesday. Of interest is that Israeli
passengers (Delta, BA, El Al) are not required to have their bags
inspected before taking them to the counter for check-in. I've
noticed this during my repeated trips to Israel. Not a 'negative'
observation, just interesting to me as a frequent visitor.

After my bags and lap top went through some kind of a dumpster sized
belt-driven machine, all items were tagged and I was sent to secondary
(as are all other non-Israeli travelers). Perhaps the 25-30 in/out
Israeli Visa stamps on my passport qualified me, I don't know why
actually, but the young lass at secondary told me I was "Fine, go to
the check-in counter". My travel companion was not as fortunate. it
took him 45 minutes at secondary and, a 3rd inspection station
(interesting since he didn't go to Jordan or Egypt as he was worried
the entry/exit stamps in his US passport would cause grief at the
airport.

I observed Israeli and foreign passengers at the security belt station
(after checking in at the counter) put bottles of water on the belt
with bags, coats, etc. We did not have to remove our shoes or belts
or any bag contents when we reached the magnetic arch.

Delta served dinner and breakfast on the flight with metal spoons and
forks but plastic knives (on El Al, the dinner ware is all metal). I
think the plastic knives are sharper than the metal ones. I am amused
by the many different large glass bottles of wine on the servings
carts (if a disruptive passenger needed a weapon, Voila!) that are
occasionally unattended while the steward/stewardess leaves the cart
to get ice or another bottle.

Once in the secured terminal area, I saw a chap with an acoustic
guitar (in a soft case) over his shoulder so, there wasn't any
problems carrying the guitar through security. I brought a soldier a
Fender electric in a soft case the previous year on AA and BA with no
problem but recently witnessed the purser at the entrance to an AA
plane in Sao Paulo deny a youngster trying to enter with a small (not
jumbo) soft case and guitar. The flight was not over booked and there
was substantial room in the closet near my seat (no one used the
overhead by my seat on the 777).

When the Delta arrived in Atlanta, checked baggage was picked up,
taken past Customs and rechecked and then, back through security, TSA
security that is. What a miserable group of mopes and unimaginative,
power tripping, minimum wage earning federal staff these humanoids
are. Off with the shoes, off with the sandals, off with the
flip-flops, sport coats, jackets, sweaters, etc. The Brit in front of
me had to stop (our line) while his roll-aboard was re-examined by a
TSA supervising clone.
They opened it (further delaying the line) to find a small
prescription container and eye-drops. The TSA 'noid told the traveler
he had to go back to baggage and check in the roll aboard with the
pills and eye drops or, she would dispose of the 'contraband' and let
him pass. He protested he just got off a flight with his meds, she
said if he didn't not decide there and then, she would "axe her
supervisor to take him to secondary for being disruptive".

Enough said. He gave up his meds and went on his way. Others behind
me were told to take the bottles of wine, perfumes, etc., they may
have purchased on flight or at the Duty Free back to baggage and check
them in or, be prepared to dispose of the articles at security.

After I passed through TSA with no incident although I knew I had eye
drips, chap stick and some prescription meds in my briefcase I saw
several people in the Atlanta secured terminal area with small soft
case/guitars strapped over their shoulders. So, a ban on guitar
carry-ons has apparently not been announced by TSA.

Before boarding the Delta flight from Atlanta to San Diego, the ticket
attendant announced to passengers in coach they should go to the food
court and buy snacks or meals unless they wanted to buy a snack
on-board. However, she also announced if they purchased anything to
drink in the food courts, the would have to consume the drink before
boarding as no liquid was allowed on board the flight.

There is no bag inspection or search before boarding so I suspect all
of the passengers that purchased bottles of wine, booze, perfumes,
etc. in the terminal stores and kept these 'dangerous' items in their
carry-on bags must have been unidentified threats to the rest of the
passengers on that particular flight.

So, as I try my damned best to avoid reaching the 4,000,000 milestone
on AA by flying on other airlines, I have reached the conclusion the
airline's have exhibited various levels of non-conforming security
policies, US airport TSA security employs marginally intelligent staff
who are at least under CCTV security observation (rather than down in
the baggage areas riffling our property or checked in baggage), and
continue to portray a resemblance of intelligence. false sense of
security and screwing the traveling public.

TSA, Let US be Your Security Condom should be printed on all TSA
shirts.

Just a morning rant from a tired traveler on a Saturday morning.


IMHO, your attitude sucks. If you don't read and obey the security
briefs, you get what you deserve.

Perscription meds that are liquid and other meds are allowed in your
carry-on if you show the perscription label with your name on it. Eye
drop bottles are too small, so the label is applied to the outside of
the box. I always take the box with the bottle inside when I travel.
It sounds like your guy couldn't prove they were perscribed meds.

The days of no hassle flying are long gone so get used to it.

Steve Hawkins

Steve,

I have to side with NASA on this one. As a business traveller quickly
approaching a half million frequent flier miles, I've seen it all.
I particularly agree with his observations about American Airlines (the
absolute worst in my experience) and the minimum wage power-tripping TSA
mopes in Atlanta.
I've flown all over the world and have to admit that the TSA personel in the
good ole' USA are without a doubt the worst. (With the exception of one crew
I met in LAX on a recent return from China...they were running the absolute
smoothest operating security checkpoint I've ever been through. They
actually made it a pleasurable experience).

Geezer


.

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