A lot of people say that if you don’t like the TSA, then you should take the bus, a train, or drive.  The problem is that even though guns have been allowed in checked baggage on planes they have been banned on Amtrak.  Funny that I could take a gun into a national park, but couldn’t check an unloaded and encased gun on a train.

USA Today

Gun owners must inform Amtrak officials 24 hours ahead of departure, and unloaded firearms must be packed in hard-sided containers for storage in train lockers.

I was hoping I’d be able to carry concealed on a train, but I guess since trains technically serve alcohol that would be in violation of many (but not all) states laws about concealed carry.  Even though NC offers reciprocity with many states, I probably wouldn’t put up with the hassle of traveling armed any way except in a car. I’m sure if something happened and you got stuck in a train that did not recognize your right to a firearm it could be an issue.  There was a man who was flying from Utah to Pennsylvania.  He missed his connection in Newark and was forced to spend the night.  When he checked in his baggage the next day he was arrested for an illegal firearm.

I read the Charlotte Observer and as I was perusing articles they had one with the top gifts for someone who travels.  Most of the products I was familiar with, but they did have something that I’ve wanted and just never investigated: completely flat dishes/spoon.  I’ve been trying to get more food from the grocery store since I am getting sick of eating out every night, but I’ll buy cereal and milk and nothing to eat it with.  Some hotels leave bowls and tablewear out all night in the breakfast area, but others don’t.  I’d prefer reusable stuff anyway (hint, hint, Road Warriorette, these would be a great green tip).

So if my Santa is out there, go to http://fozzils.com/products.html and check out the Orange (for Clemson) solo set.

I don’t claim to be an expert on security, but Bruce Schneier is and he is against the security theatre our current TSA is. He says pretty much the same thing that I think, but he has more knowledge on the whole subject

Here is a recent interview from Popular Mechanics

Q: So what kind of attack will this prevent, that otherwise might be successful?
A: There are two kinds of hijackers. There’s the lone nutcase, like someone who will bring a gun onto a plane because, dammit, they’re going to take the whole plane down with them. Any pre-9-11 airport security would catch a person like that.

The second kind is the well-planned, well-financed Al Qaeda-like plot. And nothing can be done to stop someone like that.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25855378/detail.html

Charlotte Douglas International Airport Director Jerry Orr said he’s wanted a private firm to do security screenings since 2001, when the TSA was created. He named a couple of reasons for that: First, a private firm would be more economical.

Yes it would be more economical, but the problem is they are still required to follow the same rules as TSA as far as identification and such.  Kansas City International (MCI) has a private screening company, but they are just as bad.  Pay is typically lower and since they aren’t federal employees they don’t have the attractive benefits TSA agents do.  People often insult the intelligence of TSOs, but FirstLine employees are often much sloppier looking.  MCI is still so fixated on liquids that they miss the proverbial forest for the trees.  I’m not saying they are rude though.  I’d say the screeners at MCI are as polite as the average KC resident.

If CLT opts of of TSA they will still be required to make everyone take their shoes off, but liquids, gels, and aerosols will still be restricted to 100mL or smaller containers in a quart sized baggie.  They will still follow the whole ID = security farce.  These policies need to change starting with TSA.  If that doesn’t happen, then welcome the new boss, same as the old boss.

How many of you have been to SFO and had no clue those were not actual TSA employees?  I rest my case.

TSA Enhanced Screening Procedures Explained

Shop at a small business on November 27th and spend more than $25 on your American Express and you can get a $25 statement credit.

Enroll: http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com/

Eligible merchants include any independently owned small businesses that accept the American Express Card. Purchases made online, at large, national chains, at franchised business locations and at government agencies are not eligible. Prepaid, corporate cards and ExpressPay transactions are not eligible.

I definitely appreciate this more than the promotion they ran around Christmas a couple years ago that gave statement credits for shopping at Wal*Mart.

http://www.examiner.com/essex-county-conservative-in-newark/airport-security-debate-heats-up-nj

Best quote from the article:

We have open borders and we have no idea who’s coming in and out of our country. Yet when American citizens try to travel, the TSA is actually groping people’s genitals, buttocks and breasts, including children.

It’s about time legislators stood up to this.  When the Nude O Scopes were initially introduced there was some back lash from Utah’s Representative Jason Chaffetz, but they were never successful in penetrating the federal machine.  If the state of NJ with its major Continental hub in Newark can make a stand against these machines their may be some hope in other states.  I doubt it though.

The article also talks about pilots can take down the plane even without any weapons.

why would a pilot be subject to such a scan? Any pilot can destroy his aircraft in any of a hundred ways by virtue of his access to the controls, to say nothing of the axe that every airliner carries in the cockpit. (History records one instance of a copilot who deliberately ditched his plane, an EgyptAir flight, into the Atlantic Ocean, despite the strenuous efforts of his captain, who probably never realized until far too late that his own copilot was committing murder-suicide.) Thus a pilot, though trusted to fly the aircraft and to cut his way out of the cockpit with an axe if necessary, is not trusted to refrain from carrying explosives or small weapons hidden on his person or in his flight bag.

I am glad there is all this groundswell against TSA and I like talking about it, but I also can’t wait until I have time to blog about more important travel issues again.

I was asked to post a link to an ACLU Survey about abuse during passenger screening.

If anyone out there has an experience they’d like to share with the ACLU please follow this link.

Travelers have expressed concern about:

•  Being forced to go through the AIT machines also known as full-body scanners or “naked scanner” machines

•  Unnecessary groping of passengers’ breast or genital areas

•  Humiliating experiences including for disabled or transgendered passengers

•  Lack of privacy during pat-downs

•  Lack of respect for religious requirements.

The ACLU is collecting individuals’ stories in order to determine the scope of this problem and evaluate future action. If you have had such an experience, please help us by filling out the following questionnaire. The information you provide in this questionnaire will be kept confidential unless we contact you and obtain your permission to share it with others. Please provide detailed responses where necessary. Your input is very important! Thank you!

Also, if anyone has any stories they would like me to share please e-mail them to me.

Apparently November 24th has been dubbed National Opt-Out Day.  The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days so screening normally results in extremely long lines.  To add insult to injury many people are urging everyone to opt-out of the body scanners in favor of the pat down.

The goal of National Opt Out Day is to send a message to our lawmakers that we demand change.  No naked body scanners, no government-approved groping.  We have a right to privacy and buying a plane ticket should not mean that we’re guilty until proven innocent.  This day is needed because many people do not understand what they consent to when choosing to fly.

I agree with the cause obviously, but I’m a little hesitant about their choice of date.  Sure, that is the busiest travel day in the US, but most people reading about this are probably people who are either big into civil liberties or are regular travelers.  I know I will not be traveling on Nov 24.  If I go anywhere by plane I like to fly on Thanksgiving itself.  Flights are empty.

At the same time I understand that in order to invoke change there needs to be a big impact so if the body scanners are in full force at airports across the country and even 20% of travelers who should be going through it opt-out then that will keep the secondary screeners pretty busy.

So if you are in a line with a Millimeter Wave or Backscatter machine and you get asked the magic question “Do you have anything in your pockets?” Respond with a quick “I opt out.”

What do these machines look like?  The ones I’ve seen most often are the Millimeter Wave Machines (ABQ, IND, quite a few others).

The other is the Backscatter which uses “low” radiation.  This is the machine used in CLT

Last year they “sponsored” free wifi in many airports across the US (I put sponsored in quotes since many of those airports already provided free wifi so to me it was no different).

This year they are sponsoring it on the plane which always requires a fee or a pass.

More Info

Hat tip to Lucky

Available on qualifying flights. Mobile check-in is currently available for any United- or United Express-operated flight within the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mobile boarding documents are currently available for customers on flights departing select airports on United-and United Express-operated itineraries within the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Visit united.com/mobileservices for more information.

1. Offer valid for members using mobile check-in and flying between November 9, 2010 and December 31, 2010.
2. Offer may be earned a maximum of one time per member.
3. Registration is required at www.united.com/offer/mpda30.