Now my favorite: US Airways

[AlexMack]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I think it's difficult not to at least think of 9/11 when entering an aircraft with several people of what appears to be Mid-East heritage -- no matter how unfair that is.

On the other hand, I was getting on a plane once (I can't remember where) in the days when they were doing random bag checks and searches at the gate, and they chose four young men (three white and one black as I recall) who were traveling together.

Turns out they were all members of the US Army, traveling to a new duty station in civilian clothes.

Every single time I fly I get my bag checked. It's like a running joke in my family. I don't support racial profiling but I understand it. On the other hand, think about the shoe bomber. White male...but no one profiles white males. I mean, yeah, we all have to take our shoes off now, but no one gets nervous when they see a white man get onboard, and it's that kind of false security that almost led to another disaster.
I don't know...it's a diffcult situation. Is racial profiling wrong? yes. However, with al qaeda going after us full tilt, and the ease with which the 9/11 hijackers did get on the flights, it seems like a necessary evil. It's a toughie. We won't talk about pre 9-11 tactics. It'll just get messy.

[blueangel]

As a photography buff who travels with a lead bag to protect film in my carry on-- it strikes me odd that my bag is never searched. Anything could be in that lead bag.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by blueangel

As a photography buff who travels with a lead bag to protect film in my carry on-- it strikes me odd that my bag is never searched. Anything could be in that lead bag.

To some extent, I think it depends on the airport.

I used to fly a lot televising sporting events and always carried a couple of stop watches and a headset with a spiral chord. You can imagine what that looked like on an X-Ray.

In Denver, I never was questioned -- they actually figured out that I was in TV in some cases and mentioned it.

In the smaller airports, though, my brief case always got searched.

[honeychile]

DeltAlum, I think you hit the nail on the head - it depends on the airport. Some, I have no troubles at all. Others, I was searched (as in, just short of a prison-style search!) because I was wearing an underwire bra! There were so many remarks I wanted to make, but decided not to create a scene...!

[AKA_Monet]

I find it extremely interesting and curious about what happened the Imams. It hurts to see men become dehumanized. We will never know what was exactly said before they boarded the plane. Non-muslims often are fearful when they speak to Muslims about their faith. So it is conceivable that the other passengers became extremely fearful.

However, my conspiracy theorist gene is activated and I think since US Airways was attempting a hostile takeover Delta Airlines, that to buttress themselves against the takeover bid, Delta Airlines planted folks KNOWING that US Airways probably does "strip searches"...

Besides all the Airlines are probably planting folks who do buckwild things that would "offend" or "scare" the personnel into doing "thangs" beyond the US Constitutionally given rights... I.e. the breast feeding woman...

I do have 2 ironic stories about all of this drama on the plane:

1) One of 9-11 terrorists was a student in one of the classes I taught... He only showed up to one class. Apparently, he dropped it. It was Biology Lab 101.

2) My brother in law is former Atlanta PD. He was ready that if he saw funkiness on a plane, like 9-11, we was going to go sit next to homey and say "Wassup H----? It's on..." What was ironic, was on the show 24 on Fox, the "terrorist character's name" was the same as my brother IL said...

[blueangel]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

I find it extremely interesting and curious about what happened the Imams. It hurts to see men become dehumanized. We will never know what was exactly said before they boarded the plane. Non-muslims often are fearful when they speak to Muslims about their faith. So it is conceivable that the other passengers became extremely fearful.

However, my conspiracy theorist gene is activated and I think since US Airways was attempting a hostile takeover Delta Airlines, that to buttress themselves against the takeover bid, Delta Airlines planted folks KNOWING that US Airways probably does "strip searches"...

Besides all the Airlines are probably planting folks who do buckwild things that would "offend" or "scare" the personnel into doing "thangs" beyond the US Constitutionally given rights... I.e. the breast feeding woman...

I do have 2 ironic stories about all of this drama on the plane:

1) One of 9-11 terrorists was a student in one of the classes I taught... He only showed up to one class. Apparently, he dropped it. It was Biology Lab 101.

2) My brother in law is former Atlanta PD. He was ready that if he saw funkiness on a plane, like 9-11, we was going to go sit next to homey and say "Wassup H----? It's on..." What was ironic, was on the show 24 on Fox, the "terrorist character's name" was the same as my brother IL said...

If it was just a matter of praying, that would be one thing, but there was a lot more to it. Witnesses say they were angry, and making anti-American statements before boarding the plane.

Once on board, they left their seats and sat in what is recognized as a pattern Al Qaieda uses to test the security of a plane-- blocking both the entrances and exits.

They also asked for seat belt extenders that they did not need. Then they tucked them below their seats. Witnesses say they then made more anti-American comments.

Please read this op/ed piece in the Washington Times. It may change how you feel about the incident.

http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/200...5036-7940r.htm

and this editorial from the Toledo Blade

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll...311/-1/OPINION

and this one from the Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/562/story/833103.html

Are we expected to accept all behavior, no matter how suspicious and how outlandish, in the name of political correctness?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Once on board, they left their seats and sat in what is recognized as a pattern Al Qaieda uses to test the security of a plane-- blocking both the entrances and exits.

Could I get a primary-source cite on this? The Washington Times op/ed self-refers, and refers to another op/ed piece - any major outlets reporting this? Also, who recognized this?

Originally Posted by blueangel

They also asked for seat belt extenders that they did not need. Then they tucked them below their seats. Witnesses say they then made more anti-American comments.

While the seat belt extensions are really up for interpretation, I'm 100% sure we don't want to rely on "making anti-American statements" in any way whatsoever - unless you're comfortable pissing on the Constitution?

Also the reports conflict, saying they made anti-American references in Arabic without any explanation of how this was known . . . this is quickly turning into journalistic/editorial onanism, in my opinion, when it comes to determining "facts."

Originally Posted by blueangel

Are we expected to accept all behavior, no matter how suspicious and how outlandish, in the name of political correctness?

I do agree with you here - I just don't think this is very cut-and-dried, and I think media reports are really pooping the bed here. It's a soapbox more than an illustrative example for either side.

[squirrely girl]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Once on board, they left their seats and sat in what is recognized as a pattern Al Qaieda uses to test the security of a plane-- blocking both the entrances and exits.

even i get up and walk around - mostly cause i hate to sit still for too long

NOT DIRECTED AT ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR -->

but people will ALWAYS try to justify their paranoia and racism after the fact so that they can feel better about themselves and not look like a total bigot

- m

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by blueangel

and this one from the Star Tribune

http://www.startribune.com/562/story/833103.html

Are we expected to accept all behavior, no matter how suspicious and how outlandish, in the name of political correctness?

http://www.creators.com/opinion_Shel...olumnsname=mch

Mona Charen is a syndicated partisan hack who I doubt has ever been to Minneapolis. If you want a real editorial from the Strib try this one:

http://www.startribune.com/562/story/840610.html

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by blueangel

As a photography buff who travels with a lead bag to protect film in my carry on-- it strikes me odd that my bag is never searched. Anything could be in that lead bag.

Same thing with my girlfriend. Neither one of us have ever understood it. Unless of course the bags to not really stop X-Rays.

I have been stopped due to my shoes having metal supports inside as well as my C-Pap machine.

Now, I just take it everything I am carrying and put it into my travel vest and place it, my belt and shoes into the X-Ray.