Comments | kseda: things

kseda

things

Nov 04, 2010 12:04

A few details from my travels which I have either blocked or just...did not want to deal with explaining. My flight down was HORRIBLE, the aisle in front of me, beside me, and behind me was populated by a group of men traveling together, mostly in their twenties but a couple were older ( Read more... )

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Comments 8

brewsternorth November 4 2010, 16:22:03 UTC

I'm wondering why it's HERE and there wasn't one in, you know, Newark.

I have a few suspicions. (I note from the ACLU's list that there *is* one in JFK. And not in LGA.) Possibly the way that Tampa Airport's laid out in proportion to the volume it receives makes it less of a mess if a lot of people have to wait in line if the AIT throws a wobbly - EWR was built before a lot of the security procedures were introduced and it's messy enough with the current rate of passenger throughput that we have extra areas for scanning luggage and whatnot. LGA would be an even worse nightmare.

Tl;dr; BLOODY SECURITY THEATER. *grump* I am not looking forward to flying out to LAX next February if this is the arrant nonsense I have to face.

kseda November 4 2010, 16:30:12 UTC

Yes, security at Newark is a complete disaster as it is, I can't imagine having to implement this sort of process there. I mean, if the machine sends off alarm bells due to pockets on skinny jeans then we're all doomed.

Tampa's airport is RIDICULOUSLY efficient and frequently rated the best in the country. There is one central terminal for baggage and check-in, and they put a six-storey parking deck ON TOP OF THE TERMINAL so you grab your bags, jump on an elevator, and go right to your car. All the flights leave from saterlite terminals accessed by electric trams, and these satelite terminals are where security is located. It's an amazing airport and I love it to death, but this mess...augh. AUGH.

alto2 November 24 2010, 22:37:29 UTC

Newark is now on the list of airports that have these godforsaken things. I am NOT pleased.

And I just listened to another Tampa horror story today from a colleague who flew out yesterday. She got the machine scan AND the gropefest and was terrified, not understanding what was going on (she somehow missed all the news recently) and terrified. She was travelling with friends but apparently no one ever told her she was allowed to bring someone into the room with her.

I'm flying in three weeks and I gotta tell ya I'm not even a little bit looking forward to it. I have friends who stopped flying after 9/11. I've had no problem flying after 9/11, aside from the hassle--until now.

takhys November 4 2010, 16:29:06 UTC

About eight years ago, when I went to India, I had to go through the whole pat-down, "how's your old straw hat" routine. I knew it was coming, I have metal joint replacements and even with a doctor's letter in English, Hindi, and Arabic along with small photocopies of my x-rays, I can understand the need to have someone check out and make sure I've not got explode-y bits all over the place ( ... )

kseda November 4 2010, 16:38:04 UTC

That was it, there was this lack of professionalism and "we only started doing this two days ago so we're still ~learning~" and when they explained the Hoohah Inspection they were like "and that hand will slide to your abdomen" and I'm like "my wha- OH, my vajayjay, nice."

I'm just...incredibly frustrated by the theatricalness coupled with how POINTLESS it is. They subject me to all of this and then never even gave a cursory look at my bags (where they would have discovered a very friendly purple octopus plushie and the pair of loose-fitting jeans I apparently should have worn). And it never would have happened if the naked scanner thingy (or the person looking at it) hadn't decided that my pockets were terroristical.

IDK, man, but I'm looking forward to reviewing how they handle this in Brussels next spring.

takhys November 4 2010, 16:42:25 UTC

It was super professional anywhere I went in India, right down to a laminated card they gave me with pictures of what was going to happen. I was also given the option to have one of my travelling companions or a representative of my faith come with me, in case I felt uncomfortable.

What I've always found interesting is that it's only American metal detectors that don't go off for my joint replacements -- you'd think that a few plates and 30+ screws made out of titanium might be something worth picking up on.

gogogidget November 4 2010, 20:19:38 UTC

I'm suddenly very glad I don't travel and also overcome with the desire to go to an airport and yell at security personnel.

/every chaste and non-frisking hug

rhapsady November 18 2010, 02:57:18 UTC

oh very yuck. It seems like air travel might be experiencing a "depression" if this crap keeps up. From what I'm hearing, the airlines are charging you to take luggage, jacking up prices in general and now to experience that highway robbery you're going to have to start a career in porn too. Screw that. Guess I'll get used to 4-24 hour car trips.

Sorry you had to experience that hon.