NOT a candidate diary

I've had a recent epiphany of sorts, related to 911 and the New Amerikan Mass Transportation™ rules and regulations.

All of the recent security related changes to our mass transportation systems (extensive pre-boarding times, same day ticketing restrictions, baggage restrictions, carry-on restrictions... well, the list goes on and on and ...) are the result of the damage done during the attacks in 2001.

All the extra personnel for security, all the added costs, all of that wasted time at the airport or train-bus depots, waiting, waiting, waiting..

To what end?  To deter the chance of another 911 ever happening again.

No weapons on board, so no way for passengers to overcome flight crew and take over the planes.

I know a much cheaper way to accomplish the same thing.

Discontinue all of the crazy pre-boarding regulations.  Use the extra security personnel to inspect EVERY single item that goes onboard.

Discontinue carry-on luggage, excepting clear plastic containers issued by the airline at the boarding gate.

Install permanent, solid-steel, framing partitions between the flight cabin and the passenger decks.

Install separate entryways for flight crew vs passengers and flight attendants.

Why wasn't this option ever considered, or did I miss that discussion?

•  Because

  that wouldn't get people used to standing in long lines to be searched.

  by Moody Loner on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 04:59:12 PM PDT

•  Tips for crazy ideas?

  asfd

  by Angie in WA State on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:05:46 PM PDT

•  You lost me entirely

  could you explain this:

  Install separate entryways for flight crew vs passengers and flight attendants.

  and how that would work?

  by sara seattle on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:09:08 PM PDT

  •  You would be loaded into the luggage bay ('-)

    by captainlaser on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:13:14 PM PDT

    •  Oh - of course

      loaded like sardines in the baggage/cargo containers.

      That would pretty much do it --

      However in that case - please cancel my planned reservations for the coming year.

      by sara seattle on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:16:03 PM PDT

      •  Cannot possibly be any tighter than the

        seating on American Airlines.

        Sardines at least can slide into their seats with all that olive oil.

        by captainlaser on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:33:05 PM PDT

  •  Install separate entryways just like this

    The flight cabin is completely sealed off from the passenger cabin, with a solid-steel framed partition between them.  No passageway.  No flight attendant doorway with a lock.

    Completely separated.

    Thus, you would need an entry for the flight crew to their cabin, and a separate entry for the passengers and flight attendant to their cabin.

    What's the problemo?

    by Angie in WA State on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:18:46 PM PDT

•  And what real problem are we trying to solve?

  You could board any bus or train in the US with a hair gel loaded with who knows what and no one would say a word.  There are a 1000 people on a train.  Not been one event in the US on a train.

  So eliminate all handbaggage?  I'll be damned if I'll pack my PC.  It would be gone in the first trip.  I don't think that the paranoia about air travel is warranted.   I have been on flights when air marshals had to respond and I feel quite safe enough, thank you.  The threat that an air marshal is on a flight is pretty substantial in my mind.  The current protocol is based on the El Al model and Israel has never had a hijacking.

  by captainlaser on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:12:40 PM PDT

•  I want solid steel framed partitions between

  passengers and passengers traveling with children under 14 years old. Soundproof partitions.

  I quit flying before 9-11. I'd rather be hijacked than fly "Screaming Baby Airlines" ever again.

  by Jacques on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 05:29:23 PM PDT

•  Then again, you could talk a bit

  to the other nations in the world, and perhaps ask if anyone knows what we might have done to piss the living daylights out of so many people.  I believe the price tag on that modification would be minimal and would yield surprising results.

  Does anyone else feel the airport security measures are purely for psy-ops control of ordinary law-abiding citizens?  I have yet to meet a single TSA employee who I felt could protect any part of my life or property, much less beat me in Scrabble.

  by skwimmer on Wed Jan 02, 2008 at 06:21:21 PM PDT