Air Travel with tanks post TSA

[Genesis]

sometimes gets you in trouble, and sometimes not.

The problem with these restrictions is that there is NO WAY to know in advance if you will be allowed on the plane without hassle or not.

It used to be that if you had two carry-ons and could fit them between the space under the seat in front of you and the overhead, you were cool. In addition you could typically carry a briefcase or other small "personal item" PLUS the two carry-ons - and I often did. The briefcase had the laptop and my essential paperwork for wherever I was going, the suit bag (overhead capable) had my biz clothes, and miscellaneous things were in the roll-on.

Now its ONE carry-on and the "personal item", and GREAT discretion is given to the size of the "personal item" that is permitted.

The problem this poses is that you cannot be certain if you're going to be able to successfully get where you want with your stuff intact any more. You used to be able to be certain - not any more. If they disallow the second item you must check it on the spot, which of course puts you right back where you were trying to avoid going.

 

[Aquamaniac]

I Just returned from an international trip, with full gear.

Upon arriving at LAX international I got dragged into an office where I was scrutinized by several (4) Federal Agents and 2 Local Policeman.

They had searched all of my baggage and had alot of "please explains".

Every agent was considerate and courteous.

After I had shown my cert and business cards, and explained the reasons behind my baggage, the agents thanked me for my co-operation and escorted me back to my rather bewildered wife and child.

I got home and found notes in all the bags, explaining what was done.

All in all it was a pleasant experience, I made a point of thanking the agents and police for the efforts they were putting in to protect US!

Dave

 

[eandiver]

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that everytime I have to go airside from baggage while working and in uniform I am subjected to the same search as the passengers. For me this means having to remove my shoes(steel shank) empty my pockets and have anything I'm carrying searched plus being wanded. Some of the screeners doing the search on either me or my belongings are my friends yet I'm treated no differently than a regular passenger.

 

[Genesis]

let's say I accept all of that.

Then how is the stuff getting stolen that does indeed get stolen all the time?

And how is it that everyone seems to evade responsibility when it does?

IF there is such great security, then I would think that anything that was in the bag - and its securement - would be inviolate. If its pilfered, vandalized or damaged, then you're entitled to its replacement - since there is NO WAY for it to "disappear".

Right?

But that's not how it is!

Look, you want to claim that all this is for "my safety", I say "bunk." I say its all about politics.

If it was about safety then the "in" and "out" would be taken care of, nothing would GO in or out, and if something DID disappear it would be replaced - instantly - and the government would deal with figuring out WHY.

That would stop the shenanigans right quick, because suddenly they would have a FISCAL reason to find and stop the games.

The simple reality is that if someone at the airport, behind the scenes, can open my bag (by force) and remove something, that same someone could open my bag (by force) and INSERT something - including something that goes "boom" in the sky.

Until that is addressed - and the bluster is backed up with hard guarantees of recompense when it DOES happen anyway - I charge that there is no security that is worth a plugged nickel at our airports - despite the political hand-waving.

 

[eandiver]

Genesis once bubbled...
let's say I accept all of that.

Then how is the stuff getting stolen that does indeed get stolen all the time?

*The same way anything gets stolen. Ask the airport police or airlines not the TSA. We don't investigate thiefts.

And how is it that everyone seems to evade responsibility when it does?

*It's called CYA. Again ask the police or airlines not TSA.

IF there is such great security, then I would think that anything that was in the bag - and its securement - would be inviolate. If its pilfered, vandalized or damaged, then you're entitled to its replacement - since there is NO WAY for it to "disappear".

*Loose the "no way". Where is security 100% effective?

Right?

*You're talking about thieft prevention not explosive detection. Two different jobs. Two different agencys.

But that's not how it is!

*Right!

Look, you want to claim that all this is for "my safety", I say "bunk." I say its all about politics.

MY job is about your safety. You're trying to include too much in that statement.

If it was about safety then the "in" and "out" would be taken care of, nothing would GO in or out, and if something DID disappear it would be replaced - instantly - and the government would deal with figuring out WHY.

*You said the same thing above.

That would stop the shenanigans right quick, because suddenly they would have a FISCAL reason to find and stop the games.

*Yes.

The simple reality is that if someone at the airport, behind the scenes, can open my bag (by force) and remove something, that same someone could open my bag (by force) and INSERT something - including something that goes "boom" in the sky.

*Sad but true. Thats why we have sterile areas, extensive back ground checks, cameras and limited access.

Until that is addressed - and the bluster is backed up with hard guarantees of recompense when it DOES happen anyway - I charge that there is no security that is worth a plugged nickel at our airports - despite the political hand-waving.

*Then try to get a weapon on board an aircraft or an explosive device through checked baggage. When you have acomplished that then we can look at improving the system to your standards, that is if you are talking about preventing dangerous items from getting on board an aircraft. If you're talking about stealing and theft from luggage call the police.

 

[Genesis]

*Then try to get a weapon on board an aircraft or an explosive device through checked baggage. When you have acomplished that then we can look at improving the system to your standards, that is if you are talking about preventing dangerous items from getting on board an aircraft. If you're talking about stealing and theft from luggage call the police

"Sterile" my arse.

This is all about the perception of safety and sterility, not the reality of it.

To the extent that it is not about the reality of it, and it inconveniences me, I will squawk, and at some point, which was crossed after 9/11, will simply refuse to participate.

 

[eandiver]

Genesis once bubbled...


"Sterile" my arse.

This is all about the perception of safety and sterility, not the reality of it.

To the extent that it is not about the reality of it, and it inconveniences me, I will squawk, and at some point, which was crossed after 9/11, will simply refuse to participate.

Squawk away to your hearts content, I believe that is known as free speech. I support it and your right to do so. I may not agree with you but I will listen to your side.

Don't participate but if you have to fly get ready for the process however disdainful it may be to you.

I have the next two days off and I'm done with work till Sunday......see ya.

 

[Genesis]

Nobody "has" to fly.

I have no compelling reason to do so.

The entire post-9/11 airline nonsense is a bunch of political claptrap.

There was no security breach on 9/11. No prohibited weaponry was smuggled aboard an airplane. The boxcutters used as weapons were PERMITTED ITEMS at the time.

To argue that there was a "security problem" as justification for further destruction of private property and civil rights is an affront to anyone who belives in freedom. It is an affront because it is based on a lie, and further does not accomplish the goals stated.

The simple fact of the matter is that 9/11 was "successful" for the hijackers because nobody thought of a hijacked plane as a missile before 9/11.

As soon as people DID realize that hijackers might intend to use the aircraft as a missile, the utility of the attempt was destroyed - proven positively by the flight that was downed in Pennsylvania - by the passengers - instead of hitting the White House.

If you get on an airplane today, you are taking a dump on the Constitution.

 

[jbm]

Genesis once bubbled...
.

To argue that there was a "security problem" as justification for further destruction of private property and civil rights is an affront to anyone who belives in freedom.
If you get on an airplane today, you are taking a dump on the Constitution.

When I'm sitting in the window seat, sipping on diet Coke and watching the world go by at 450 knots, I really don't give a rat's ass about anyone's Constitution. But I do appreciate the work EANDIVER and his colleagues are doing. Important work. Work well done.

jbm

 

[Aquamaniac]

Genesis once bubbled...


If you get on an airplane today, you are taking a dump on the Constitution.

Man you come out with some crap........