What Kind Of Security Measures Will We Endure?

[Bini]

News:

It's confirmed. Osama bin Laden is dead. The question is, what kind of security measures will we endure here in the United States? Will those security measures be comparable to what was done after the 9/11 attacks? Or will we see more (new) precautions and regulations to ensure that-much-more safety? What security measurements do YOU foresee? What, if any, security measures do you find useless or ineffective? What would be a better approach?

I'm mostly thinking about travel, more specifically, flying. My husband and I will be headed for Europe in a few weeks and we're both anticipating what kind of security measures we'll be going through. For me, I'm wondering if the body-scans will be optional or if everyone (who is selected) will be required to go through. I'm not too worried about pat-downs, not a fan but I can live with that. But I'll be 5.5 months pregnant at the time of our travel and I was advised NOT to go through a body-scan. I'm sure it will still be optional.. I hope!

[O2BNSD]

Bini - I'm a corporate traveler and work in the medical field. Since I travel quite extensively, plus work in a radiation filled environment, I always 'opt out' from the body scanners (I go for the 'pat down' albeit privately, I have no problem with the 'pat down' at all)...I just cannot have more radiation infiltrate my body. With you being pregnant, you should definitely not go through the body scanners. I know, I know, TSA all claim that the amount is minimal, but unfortunately, in light of the recent testings and evaluations of the equipment, it has been found that the amount of radiation is at least 100 times more than what TSA has been reporting. The problem with these imaging equipment is that they are not manufactured by medical companies and as such, are not subjected to the rigorous compliancies that govern medical imaging equipment although they are the same in function. They are also not operated by licensed, registered radiology technicians and as such can easily be mis-handled by someone who does not have any radiation training (which they don't). This alone is very problematic to many medical and imaging people with many physicians from prominent facilities, such as UC San Francisco, writing about their objections and concerns about these imaging systems. Currently TSA uses the excuse that they are not using the imaging equipment for medical purposes, but in reality the equipment does the exact same purpose that a medical one does. I make sure that I get to the airport somewhat earlier than is needed, just in case there are delays going on through security. The TSA personnel are supposed to, but not always, be very respectful to those to request 'opt out'. If someone starts to argue with you, become uncooperative with your request, just ask for the supervisor. It needs to be reported immediately, this advice was given to my by a TSA Manager who is above the TSA Supervisor. Also, when you do the 'pat down', make sure they change into new gloves. If they try to use the same gloves that they had just picked up those filthy, contaminated bins with, you could get a false, positive result when they do the swap test on the gloves after the 'pat down'. This happened to me a couple of months ago & I wasn't paying attention to the fact that the TSA agent failed to change her gloves when she performed the 'pat down' on me. They are supposed to put new gloves on before touching your body. If they give you a hard time about changing gloves, gently, but firmly remind them that they had picked up the bins with the gloves and now the gloves are contaminated. Again, this was another thing that the TSA Manager told me to watch out for. It is definitely more complicated to be flying, but if you keep these in mind:

1) arrive earlier

2) request 'opt out' from imaging body scanners' (may wish to have 'pat down' privately)

3) request new gloves before the actual 'pat down'

By being informed and prepared, your travel will be much more stress-free

Happy Travels!

News:

It's confirmed. Osama bin Laden is dead. The question is, what kind of security measures will we endure here in the United States? Will those security measures be comparable to what was done after the 9/11 attacks? Or will we see more (new) precautions and regulations to ensure that-much-more safety? What security measurements do YOU foresee? What, if any, security measures do you find useless or ineffective? What would be a better approach?

I'm mostly thinking about travel, more specifically, flying. My husband and I will be headed for Europe in a few weeks and we're both anticipating what kind of security measures we'll be going through. For me, I'm wondering if the body-scans will be optional or if everyone (who is selected) will be required to go through. I'm not too worried about pat-downs, not a fan but I can live with that. But I'll be 5.5 months pregnant at the time of our travel and I was advised NOT to go through a body-scan. I'm sure it will still be optional.. I hope!

Edited May 3, 2011 by O2BNSD
spelling

[Wingnut]

Without subjecting all travelers to mandatory strip-searches, I can't imagine that security measures could increase much more. If anything, I think it's likely to be an ID thing -- requiring two photo IDs for all passengers, etc.

[slamjet]

Here's how it goes:

You get to the airport. If you're lucky, it's an off time. Otherwise you can stand in a TSA line for 1.5 hours (yea, that happened to me). You then hand the TSA dude your boarding pass and an ID (DL, Passport). Then you go to x-ray/scanning. Wear sandals. You will take off your shoes. Also, not a stitch of metal is to be on you. (earrings should be ok). You will be scanned in one of three ways, sometimes in combination:

1) Metal Detector

2) Full body scan

3) Pat down.

They will ask if you have any liquid bottles such as lotions and shampoo. If you do, you'll be asked to pull it out. Thus, use ziplocks for your toiletries. I suggest you not take any powder of any type. They will make you dig it out, they will open it, and they will test it for narcotics (more time wasted). You can opt out of the body scan and ask for a pat-down. You will then pick up all your stuff in the end, rush to put on belts, shoes, etc. and run to your plane.

So get there in plenty of time! I fly through LAX and I always give myself minimum three hours. It's better to sit there bored waiting for your flight than to rush and possibly miss it.

[Wingnut]

Wear sandals. You will take off your shoes.

Gross. Walk on the airport floor in bare feet where everyone else has walked with bare feet? No thanks. I always wear slip-on shoes with socks. Never bare feet.

[slamjet]

Gross. Walk on the airport floor in bare feet where everyone else has walked with bare feet? No thanks. I always wear slip-on shoes with socks. Never bare feet.

I never implied to not wear socks now you're itching for an argument because you are interpreting and judging me harshly and saying I'm just plain wrong! At least I've seen arguments on this forum start with less

[Jenamarie]

I never implied to not wear socks now you're itching for an argument because you are interpreting and judging me harshly and saying I'm just plain wrong! At least I've seen arguments on this forum start with less

Wearing socks with sandals is worse than bare feet!

[Suzie]

Gross. Walk on the airport floor in bare feet where everyone else has walked with bare feet? No thanks. I always wear slip-on shoes with socks. Never bare feet.

Wing, you sounded like Adrian Monk there for a minute.

[bcguy]

A few points to remember. Never wear synthetic cloths. It will melt to your skin in a aicraft fire.

Wear only cotton or leather.

Wear good running shoes. Good to use when walking on the wing of a aircraft, or uneven debris littered in the center isle of a aircraft.

[Gramajane]

Aww shucks, though I am a 'worst case scenario' obsessive person--

I have come to believe after you make sure that you are where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing (obeying all the commandments the best you can) then do not worry further, but keep in tune to the Holy Spirit and whatever happens, God can turn it to the good of them that love the Lord. :) -- otherwise, I would be a nervous wreck ! And when we are bound in fear we can't hear the Holy Spirit!

Edited May 3, 2011 by pam

[MarginOfError]

I never implied to not wear socks now you're itching for an argument because you are interpreting and judging me harshly and saying I'm just plain wrong! At least I've seen arguments on this forum start with less

Correction, you're just plane wrong.

Seriously, could you ever get anything Wright?

[Bini]

About the TSA pat-downs..

I've done some quick reading online and couldn't find anything stating the TSA are required to change gloves between passenger pat-downs. Does this mean that there isn't any official rule on it? I'm a bit of a germaphobe but like I said, I can handle a pat-down, given the gloves used on me weren't used on the underarm pits of a sweaty person before me (like a woman wearing a sleeveless tank). Just seems so germy.. Does anyone know for FACT?

[mnn727]

Whats worthless the O.P. asked - just about everything TSA does.

Unless its a dire emergency I refuse to fly anymore. Not because I think its dangerous, its because TSA is violating my 4th ammendment rights.

Do they really think a pudgy over 50 white male on his way to Vegas is a terrorist?

[Bini]

Do they really think a pudgy over 50 white male on his way to Vegas is a terrorist?

I guess that's the part that could be debated by many. Personally, there are certain groups that I'd be more likely to check into than others but that method doesn't necessarily mean it'll be an accurate one. But I understand where you're coming from. Is a pregnant woman likely to be a terrorist? I'd bet money on "no" being the answer but you just don't know anymore.

As for flying, not excited about the whole TSA thing but I'm not gonna let it ruin my summer vacation, no sir! Hopefully they won't. I am going to insist on them putting a fresh pair of gloves on though.. We'll see how well that goes over..

[classylady]

I recently retired from working for a major airline. The whole industry changed after 9/11. I used to love to fly, but now, it's a whole different ball-game. It's stressful to me to get through security, and wondering how long the security lines are going to be. I barely made my flight out of Seattle awhile back, because of the long lines--they were just about ready to close the doors of the plane when I got to the gate. I'm okay with the full-body scanner or a pat down. I've had both. When I use my flight benefits, I fly standby, so I don't like to check a bag in case I don't get on my flight. So, that means I have to pack everything into my carry-on, (even though I can check a bag for free--that's one of the perks for being an airline employee). That can be quite a feat, especially when I might be gone for a week or two. For me, who likes to bring all my lotions, shampoo, toothpaste, mousse, etc., it's pretty tough to fit everything into a quart-size baggy.

After 9/11 it was a real struggle for most airlines to start operating in a profit mode again. Some airlines didn't make it financially and went under. When people are afraid to fly, it's pretty hard to fill the seats, and without passengers, there will be no profit, and then in the long-run, fewer airlines--which means less competition, which probably would bring about higher fares. Even though going through security can be stressful to me, I'm willing to put up with it because if it deters even one terrorist getting on a plane and trying to bring it down, it is worth it to me!

Edited May 3, 2011 by classylady

[mordorbund]

Would the security measures we have in place now prevent another 9/11? I can't carry a boxcutter on the plane, but I can file down some credit cards to make a shank. From there, follow the same formula as before to hijack the plane.

The 9/11 threat is turning a plane into a missile. The current security measures is to prevent bombings. Now, I admit that a bomb on a plane is pretty devastating (since you are pretty much guaranteed that if you survive the blast, you don't survive the fall). But you can also have a devastating death toll by bombing a security line that winds back around on itself several times.

This is nothing more than security theater.

[O2BNSD]

About the TSA pat-downs..

I've done some quick reading online and couldn't find anything stating the TSA are required to change gloves between passenger pat-downs. Does this mean that there isn't any official rule on it? I'm a bit of a germaphobe but like I said, I can handle a pat-down, given the gloves used on me weren't used on the underarm pits of a sweaty person before me (like a woman wearing a sleeveless tank). Just seems so germy.. Does anyone know for FACT?

You won't find it listed on-line, it is in TSA's training manual & operations manual. The passage was shown to me by a TSA Manager who had informed me that they are to always change their gloves before touching a person for the 'pat down'.