View Poll Results: Does Political Correctness undermine our airport security?
Yes
70
95.89%
No
3
4.11%
Voters: 73. This poll is closed
Does Political Correctness undermine our airport security?
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Right On.
Heres a real story.
Checked in recently on a BA flight to Milan.
Went through standard Airport security, no problems, quite thorough.
Arrived at the gate to be met by additional security.
Fine, I am all in favour of 'additional security' measures.
Let me describe, roughly , the passenger goup.
Mostly middle aged, white, suited , business men and women. A few model types and a handfull of 'persons' in various types of 'al Queda' garb. Get the picture.
Myself and a large portion of the other middle aged , briefcase holding, white people were given, a rigorous and nasty going over.
It would have been annoying, except the questioning ( in broken english ), was of the type that that a simple six year old with devious intent could have given a perfectly plausible answer.
It goes without saying that any of the group that a rational person might think should be subject to questioning sailed through the checkpoint.
Of course the 'Security Duo' administrating the search were of the same ............ ok use your imagination.
There is a problem with airport security, but the problem lies with those employed airside.
Next time you are boarding a flight just look down at the mottly crew on the ramp.
Scared - I am.
Heres a real story.
Checked in recently on a BA flight to Milan.
Went through standard Airport security, no problems, quite thorough.
Arrived at the gate to be met by additional security.
Fine, I am all in favour of 'additional security' measures.
Let me describe, roughly , the passenger goup.
Mostly middle aged, white, suited , business men and women. A few model types and a handfull of 'persons' in various types of 'al Queda' garb. Get the picture.
Myself and a large portion of the other middle aged , briefcase holding, white people were given, a rigorous and nasty going over.
It would have been annoying, except the questioning ( in broken english ), was of the type that that a simple six year old with devious intent could have given a perfectly plausible answer.
It goes without saying that any of the group that a rational person might think should be subject to questioning sailed through the checkpoint.
Of course the 'Security Duo' administrating the search were of the same ............ ok use your imagination.
There is a problem with airport security, but the problem lies with those employed airside.
Next time you are boarding a flight just look down at the mottly crew on the ramp.
Scared - I am.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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read a story in a national newspaper just a few days ago re a private security gal, reprimanded because she confiscated a Stanley knife from a passenger during baggage inspection ...... she was told by the airport authority that only "Warranted" officers i.e. Airport Police officers had the authority to confiscate passenger goods .......
oh well .... now she knows ..... I'm sure she wont do it again!!!!!
oh well .... now she knows ..... I'm sure she wont do it again!!!!!
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Dimbleby:
OK
I dont know if you've been to the states recently, but if you have a dark skin, its the complete opposite, and you'd better prepare for the rubber glove treatment. Because you are a white middle aged person, this exempts you from a search? Does Al Qaeda only recruit obviously dark middle eastern people to its legions?I think not. You were probably only unlucky in this case.
(You might like to refer to the canadian governments view and advice they gave to their citizens about visiting the states.)
By the way, could you explain what typical al-qaeda garb is like? Perhaps you'd like them to wear ' terrorist and proud of it' T Shirts and bright flags advertising their political position? Were they wearing the garb on sept 11th?
I think you possibly need a bit of education in that not all dark skinned people working airside at UK airports are Al Qaeda terrorists. I find your posting a bit ignorant, matey, that mottley crew got you to Milan.
OK
I dont know if you've been to the states recently, but if you have a dark skin, its the complete opposite, and you'd better prepare for the rubber glove treatment. Because you are a white middle aged person, this exempts you from a search? Does Al Qaeda only recruit obviously dark middle eastern people to its legions?I think not. You were probably only unlucky in this case.
(You might like to refer to the canadian governments view and advice they gave to their citizens about visiting the states.)
By the way, could you explain what typical al-qaeda garb is like? Perhaps you'd like them to wear ' terrorist and proud of it' T Shirts and bright flags advertising their political position? Were they wearing the garb on sept 11th?
I think you possibly need a bit of education in that not all dark skinned people working airside at UK airports are Al Qaeda terrorists. I find your posting a bit ignorant, matey, that mottley crew got you to Milan.
Last edited by spanners; 17th Nov 2002 at 17:34.
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Ask yourself what rosters security staff work and whether you think they are effective in the dying moments of their 4th 12 hour shift........and what if they work another on overtime!
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Sorry Spanners; have to completely disagree with you on the States thing.
I was in Mass. Nevada and California last month, and recieved EXACTLY the sort of treatment as Dimbleby, while watching those in traditional eastern garb float right past - probably so as not to offend them with a search.
As for your berating of the "al-queda" garb comment; the chap was being light hearted, to the point and putting a message across; therefore i dont think you needed to trouble your high horse in the way you did with your reply, do you?
I think the next time i travell there i shall invest in velcro buckled shoes...i had them on and off often enough in the airport to wear out the laces.
I was in Mass. Nevada and California last month, and recieved EXACTLY the sort of treatment as Dimbleby, while watching those in traditional eastern garb float right past - probably so as not to offend them with a search.
As for your berating of the "al-queda" garb comment; the chap was being light hearted, to the point and putting a message across; therefore i dont think you needed to trouble your high horse in the way you did with your reply, do you?
I think the next time i travell there i shall invest in velcro buckled shoes...i had them on and off often enough in the airport to wear out the laces.
Swounger
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Cindy Adams wrote the same story in the NYPost today, about her boarding a plane where women in skin tight clothes got searched, while women in Islamic dress weren't. (http://www.nypost.com/gossip/cindy.htm)
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Racial Profiling?
Racial Profiling does it work? Unfortunately I have to answer yes. Let's face it, that if 19 red bearded Irishmen hijacked those airliners then they should stop every red bearded Irishmen that goes thru security.
Let's look at the past 20 years.
1. How many attempted or actual hijackings were carried out by white anglo-saxon males?
2 How many attempted or actual hijackings were carried out by middle eastern/arab males?
I think the answer is obvious!!
Let's look at the past 20 years.
1. How many attempted or actual hijackings were carried out by white anglo-saxon males?
2 How many attempted or actual hijackings were carried out by middle eastern/arab males?
I think the answer is obvious!!
stilljustanothernumber
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And how many hijackings have been carried out by a bloke with the Mrs & kids? (though I guess that Bin Laden's lot will eventually start taking the family along, if that's what it takes)!
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I'm all for a totally random search, plus special checks based on all other information available. If we only check based on profiling, then one could simply recruit folks who clearly don't fit the likely profile. But to only do random searches is simply poor security practice.
And, yes, I am a white male and have been personally searched at least five times this year, while traveling in the U.S.
And, yes, I am a white male and have been personally searched at least five times this year, while traveling in the U.S.
Gatvol
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Want to raise a flag or two, try this. I had to pick up a helicopter in Tucson a few weeks ago. The company bought me a one way ticket purchased over the internet the day before from Las Vegas...You guessed it, I got hammered at EVERY checkpoint and at the aircraft change in Phoenix..
So as a white male, retired Military and Law Enforcement With my US Flag pin on my hat I got it every way possible way they could think of.. I even mentioned to the guy at the last check point that it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. He said No we dont profile these are all random...Theres a laugh...
I did have some justice in the the Sky Marshall (Young Kid) had a gun so big that folks in the lobby could pick him out ... I was so dam mad I mentioned to the ticket agent that if HE was not a Sky Marshall We had a problem and further that I wanted a response before I would board the plane. I did get assurance that all was OK........ It was suggested that he get a big Hawain shirt next time.
Same old Band Aid Bull**** to a serious problem..
So as a white male, retired Military and Law Enforcement With my US Flag pin on my hat I got it every way possible way they could think of.. I even mentioned to the guy at the last check point that it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. He said No we dont profile these are all random...Theres a laugh...
I did have some justice in the the Sky Marshall (Young Kid) had a gun so big that folks in the lobby could pick him out ... I was so dam mad I mentioned to the ticket agent that if HE was not a Sky Marshall We had a problem and further that I wanted a response before I would board the plane. I did get assurance that all was OK........ It was suggested that he get a big Hawain shirt next time.
Same old Band Aid Bull**** to a serious problem..
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Spanners,
Fair enough but -
I aint no biggot, but the thread is 'does political correctness ...etc', my point is that simply ,yes it does.
The issue is that you and I as professionals, must demand the highest standards for ourselves and those that we are responsible for.
That means PROFILE TARGETING. Now this is not being done, because it is politically uncorrect. It is a proven and successful technique appplicable across the security industry.
Example, if the next twenty hijackings are carried out by blonde haired nordic types then they, in the interest of all, get the higher security treatment until the threat phase passes.
Again, in case you cannot see the obvious Spanners, I am not aware of ANY middle aged, male, etc etc in the last two decades, who have attempted to hijack, but I am like the whole world, acutely aware of the ethnic groupings that are carrying out these attrocities.
I am sorry if the truth hurts.
Fair enough but -
I aint no biggot, but the thread is 'does political correctness ...etc', my point is that simply ,yes it does.
The issue is that you and I as professionals, must demand the highest standards for ourselves and those that we are responsible for.
That means PROFILE TARGETING. Now this is not being done, because it is politically uncorrect. It is a proven and successful technique appplicable across the security industry.
Example, if the next twenty hijackings are carried out by blonde haired nordic types then they, in the interest of all, get the higher security treatment until the threat phase passes.
Again, in case you cannot see the obvious Spanners, I am not aware of ANY middle aged, male, etc etc in the last two decades, who have attempted to hijack, but I am like the whole world, acutely aware of the ethnic groupings that are carrying out these attrocities.
I am sorry if the truth hurts.
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Spanners,
Your comment about Dimbleby being ' a bit ignorant', I find quite annoying. As soon as anybody nowadays attempts to make a rational decision or comment on security or crime issues they run the risk of being lamblasted by the 'politically right on'. It is the classic cowards response to a issue that they cannot intellectualy handle.
I congratulate Dimbley for speaking the truth, I wish we had more professionals like him/her.
Your comment about Dimbleby being ' a bit ignorant', I find quite annoying. As soon as anybody nowadays attempts to make a rational decision or comment on security or crime issues they run the risk of being lamblasted by the 'politically right on'. It is the classic cowards response to a issue that they cannot intellectualy handle.
I congratulate Dimbley for speaking the truth, I wish we had more professionals like him/her.
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Dimbleby: Glad to hear you're not a biggot, but after reading your post, I wouldnt have known.
I dont actually disagree about the background of potential hijackers, yes they probably are more likely to be middle eastern going by past history. What I dont think is fair, going by the air of your posting, was to lump everyone else in the same category because of their appearance, especially of those working at security and on the ramp. (I think those people would have been vetted by now in view of the events of last year), and they got you safely to your destination. What I am saying is that you shouldnt lump everyone together just because of the actions of a few nutters.
I dont have a problem with racial profiling,anything that helps with security is OK with me.
BTW Im just saying what I think.
I'll get my coat....
I dont actually disagree about the background of potential hijackers, yes they probably are more likely to be middle eastern going by past history. What I dont think is fair, going by the air of your posting, was to lump everyone else in the same category because of their appearance, especially of those working at security and on the ramp. (I think those people would have been vetted by now in view of the events of last year), and they got you safely to your destination. What I am saying is that you shouldnt lump everyone together just because of the actions of a few nutters.
I dont have a problem with racial profiling,anything that helps with security is OK with me.
BTW Im just saying what I think.
I'll get my coat....
Wascally Welsh Wabbit
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I'm white, British , European and an Airline Captain. Went through security at AMS (as a passenger) last weekend, put keys,mobile etc. through x ray and still set the thing off! searched very thoroughly (and very courteously) no problem. These people are employed for our safety, as pax and crew, don't knock them.
