Here's a good laugh for Friday

[clevermanka]

TSA Unveils Planned Overhaul of Airport Screening *snort*

It's not the watch list that's the trouble, morons. It's the fact that you've built up a charade of security theater that doesn't do a damn thing expect increase anxiety and stress for people who are cutting close on connecting flights. The terrorists? Well, for them, the TSA is providing a small annoyance and maybe causing them five minutes of extra planning to circumvent laughable attempts at Making Our Homeland Safe.

When we re-entered the U.S. after the trip to Italy, we had to claim our bags, carry them maybe ten yards, and deposit them at another "security checkpoint." At no point was anything remotely resembling security anywhere to be found. Of course, we had to wait in two different (and very long) lines to be awarded the pleasure. Interestingly, airports (or the TSA, who can tell) do not allow cameras or cell phones to be used in the area where the giant clusterfuck of baggage claim occurs. If anyone thinks this is anything but an attempt to keep the truth of the inadequacies of the system under wraps, well, I have some real estate in Florida that I'd like to sell you.

Oh, and after all the lines and the hassle and the waiting and the stress? I made it through three "security" checkpoints (in Milan, Zurich, and D.C.) with a fucking box of matches in my purse. I'd nabbed them at a hotel in Venice 'cos I thought they were pretty and forgot about them until I got home. Matches. In my purse. WTF.

Comments

[the-themiscyran.livejournal.com]

All I have to say on the subject of airport insecurity is this:

Man Smuggles Monkey (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20173659/)

Why are they even bothering to try?!

[indigodreamer.livejournal.com]

A good friend was recently looking through her purse mid-flight when she was horrified to discover that she'd forgotten to remove her pocket knife before leaving the house.

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

That's hilarious.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I went through two security checkpoints, was frisked, and had my purse checked for a Skinny Puppy concert. Halfway through the concert, I remembered the knife in my purse.

Hmm....

[el-reclusa.livejournal.com]

Pretty ridiculous...when my last band went to the UK, my bandmate/roomie made it both ways through security at three airports each way with a knife she didn't realise she had in her carry-on. They did look pretty perplexed by all the junk and instrument-building tools in our checked stuff, and gave my other bandmate the third degree with the metal detector. Sheesh...

[anerys.livejournal.com]

I've had a box of matches in my purse for my last four flights - and even with the bag searches, noone even mentioned them. Finally got them out just before this last trip but still.....

[starstraf.livejournal.com]

Matches are allowed as long as they are not the 'strike anywhere kind' - but you cannot have lighters. You think the smokers are irrate now that they can't have lighters, try taking away the matches also

From TSA...
Strike-anywhere Matches - NO
Up to 4 books of safety (non-strike anywhere) matches are permitted as carry-on items, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

That's just...weird.