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I think part of the problem is that a significant portion of the US doesn't fly often enough to be greatly inconvenienced by this. And, of course, the media ca

I think part of the problem is that a significant portion of the US doesn't fly often enough to be greatly inconvenienced by this. And, of course, the media can always find people willing to say "Well, if it will make us safer..." Imagine the outcry in New York if they announced that they were going to install metal detectors and x-ray machines at the entrance to every subway stop. --That would (hopefully) never be implemented because the number of people who would complain and campaign against such measures would be much higher.

danssig 15y ago
Well, I think we're going to find out as TSA plans to do exactly that.
droithomme 15y ago
In the past I would have agreed. But I've seen the "imagine the outcry" argument brought up, the thing is later implemented, there is brief murmering, police crack down on the few hard core dissenters, then the masses begin to chant "Well of course we have to xray everyone getting on the subway, it's the only way we can be safe."
hieronymusN 15y ago
Well, they did do random bag checks at random subway stops for a while. It was always half-assed and you were not compelled to let them search your bag, you could just turn around and walk a few blocks to the next stop where they were not checking bags. It was all Security Theatre to make all of us here in NYC "feel safer" and let us know the NYPD was "on top of things". From a security standpoint it was absolutely pointless and people did get annoyed.
- spodek 15y ago
  The police still do random bag checks. I've seen them doing them in Union Square within the past month or two. Anyone who declines the search can simply exit and enter the same station from a different entrance. They make no sense as anything related to security.
megablast 15y ago
I have traveled with people who are happy with the situation, they don't understand whats going on, and are very happy to give up out freedom for a insignificant increase in security.

danssig 15y ago

Well, I think we're going to find out as TSA plans to do exactly that.

droithomme 15y ago

In the past I would have agreed. But I've seen the "imagine the outcry" argument brought up, the thing is later implemented, there is brief murmering, police crack down on the few hard core dissenters, then the masses begin to chant "Well of course we have to xray everyone getting on the subway, it's the only way we can be safe."

hieronymusN 15y ago

Well, they did do random bag checks at random subway stops for a while. It was always half-assed and you were not compelled to let them search your bag, you could just turn around and walk a few blocks to the next stop where they were not checking bags. It was all Security Theatre to make all of us here in NYC "feel safer" and let us know the NYPD was "on top of things". From a security standpoint it was absolutely pointless and people did get annoyed.

spodek 15y ago
The police still do random bag checks. I've seen them doing them in Union Square within the past month or two. Anyone who declines the search can simply exit and enter the same station from a different entrance. They make no sense as anything related to security.

megablast 15y ago

I have traveled with people who are happy with the situation, they don't understand whats going on, and are very happy to give up out freedom for a insignificant increase in security.