More TSA Security
#76
Re: More TSA Security
As per my earlier comment re. the length of visas and the fact that people can change, it seems that the officials had decided that in x months he should be really well investigated. So, why is it okay for him to keep travelling between now and then? Trouble is, that would possibly have meant someone admitting they might have made a mistake...
Just my view.
#77
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Re: More TSA Security
Oh, not to imply that people don't change (at least, I didn't mean to imply that), but he wasn't rubber stamped through.
The visa validity is an interesting subject though, because B visas are mostly given w/10 year validity and newbies might get a one year, or otherwise limited one. 2 years tells me he checked out pretty well.
What did you read that makes you think the visa should've been cancelled? You can PM me if you don't want to add it to this thread. I haven't been following all the stories and I'm just curious now.
The visa validity is an interesting subject though, because B visas are mostly given w/10 year validity and newbies might get a one year, or otherwise limited one. 2 years tells me he checked out pretty well.
What did you read that makes you think the visa should've been cancelled? You can PM me if you don't want to add it to this thread. I haven't been following all the stories and I'm just curious now.
And you all need to cool it with calls for more racial profiling. Its no fun being questioned by 5 different CBP agents and made to go through all the machines(x-rays, puffers) all while on transit!
#78
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 428
Re: More TSA Security
I don't think anybody here would mind extra EFFECTIVE security. But all they're implementing is ridiculous window-dressing that will achieve nothing but causing inconvenience to innocent travellers.
I would be fine with everybody having to have a full-body patdown - wouldn't be terribly happy about it, but at least it would be useful in actually catching the villains.
It's all just to be seen to be doing something.
I would be fine with everybody having to have a full-body patdown - wouldn't be terribly happy about it, but at least it would be useful in actually catching the villains.
It's all just to be seen to be doing something.
#80
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 67
Re: More TSA Security
When was that? Every time I have flown to the US in the last eight years or so the airline has checked that I am eligible to enter the US when I checked in for my US flight.
That accounts for the popularity of airports that have US immigration before you board the 'plane, such as Toronto or Dublin (? or is it Shannon? - I have never flown from Eire) with people whose eligibility to enter the US is in doubt.
That accounts for the popularity of airports that have US immigration before you board the 'plane, such as Toronto or Dublin (? or is it Shannon? - I have never flown from Eire) with people whose eligibility to enter the US is in doubt.
It seems to me that there was a period a few years ago when they became more keen on looking at your visa at check-in, because a rule changed that meant that if an airline flew you in to a destination with a bum visa, the airline was responsible for getting you back to your departure point. So they tried make sure that never happened.
I'm fairly sure the last few times I've flown they haven't done that, though.
In fact the last couple of times I've flown I've checked in online, and apart from the initial entry to security where they look at your passport, nobody has looked at anything but the boarding pass I printed myself at home. I could have given it to anybody in the departure lounge and they would have no idea who was really on the plane...
#81
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
Re: More TSA Security
It seems to me that there was a period a few years ago when they became more keen on looking at your visa at check-in, because a rule changed that meant that if an airline flew you in to a destination with a bum visa, the airline was responsible for getting you back to your departure point. So they tried make sure that never happened.
In fact the last couple of times I've flown I've checked in online, and apart from the initial entry to security where they look at your passport, nobody has looked at anything but the boarding pass I printed myself at home. I could have given it to anybody in the departure lounge and they would have no idea who was really on the plane...
Said experts also point out (as you do) that it doesn't work.
#82
Re: More TSA Security
That's why many security experts claim that the whole ID checking thing is more a matter of revenue protection on the airlines part, preventing folks from giving non-refundable tickets that they can't use to others.
Said experts also point out (as you do) that it doesn't work.
Said experts also point out (as you do) that it doesn't work.
Bruce Schneier Website article
#83
Re: More TSA Security
The "no fly" list is a joke... its like a bobby saying "Stop!... or I'll say Stop! again."
as I've said before, airline 'security' is not about safety... its about PR.
as I've said before, airline 'security' is not about safety... its about PR.
#84
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 2,212
Re: More TSA Security
lets face it the world has gone mad.. Years ago we had to go around our cars with a mirror on a stick - still cars got blown up. People put razor blades in the collars of their shirts. Now we have women who strap bombs to their babies in strollers> Willing to sacrafice their kids in the name of whatever it is they believe in. We have young girls thinking that to become a suicide bomber is an honour! So what do we do sit back and let it happen and just accept it. Or do we do something about it? If we do something about it - What?
FLight 253 has just shown us that there are people out there that will, and can. There will always be a way, were humans. Some will always make a mistake, and some will always find another way. Look at drug traffikers - swallowing condoms full of dope so as not to be detected - whats the answer. There is none! If someone wants to do something - especially a group like this bunch of nutcases then they will try, fail and try again and one day they will succeed. WE just have to make it as difficult as possible for them in the only way we know how, or can. Its inconvieniencing a lot of travellers, a lot of families but what is the alternative? planning a funeral for a loved one. The world has gone basically mad - we live in this society that is out of control. Thsi time the security list was screwed up - a system failed. But there are kids out there that are not on the list, training, living their dream of one day becoming a hero in the eyes of the nutters for a day and making our lives miserable. So were moaning and groaning about a stupid extra security precaution - they sit and laugh. For me i dont give a rats ass if I get patted down, have no luggage i want to get on a plane and I want to be able to get off it in one piece at the other end.
I remember someone saying once. I would rather be four hours late in this world than four hours early in the next. If that means this BS then so be it. We live in a society where there are unfortunately no boundries.
FLight 253 has just shown us that there are people out there that will, and can. There will always be a way, were humans. Some will always make a mistake, and some will always find another way. Look at drug traffikers - swallowing condoms full of dope so as not to be detected - whats the answer. There is none! If someone wants to do something - especially a group like this bunch of nutcases then they will try, fail and try again and one day they will succeed. WE just have to make it as difficult as possible for them in the only way we know how, or can. Its inconvieniencing a lot of travellers, a lot of families but what is the alternative? planning a funeral for a loved one. The world has gone basically mad - we live in this society that is out of control. Thsi time the security list was screwed up - a system failed. But there are kids out there that are not on the list, training, living their dream of one day becoming a hero in the eyes of the nutters for a day and making our lives miserable. So were moaning and groaning about a stupid extra security precaution - they sit and laugh. For me i dont give a rats ass if I get patted down, have no luggage i want to get on a plane and I want to be able to get off it in one piece at the other end.
I remember someone saying once. I would rather be four hours late in this world than four hours early in the next. If that means this BS then so be it. We live in a society where there are unfortunately no boundries.
#85
Re: More TSA Security
Most of us on this thread have no probs with additional security measures that actually make sense and will actually accomplish additional levels of safety. But rules that will do nothing to protect us, ie. making you sit in your seat like a robot for the last hour of the flight, will do nothing to protect us and that is what most of us on this thread are protesting.
"Give me liberty or give me death" is how I whole heartedly feel.
#86
Re: More TSA Security
Unfortunately this will happen again. I hope I am wrong. There were two attempts (same method) at the Twin Towers before the bizarre successful 3rd attempt. There have now been two un-successful attempts (same method, same explosive) on aircraft. Will there be a third? Personally I think there will be as they learn from their mistakes and that is and will be despite the millions of $'s already spent plus more millions to come. I am all for making it difficult for them and do not mind the harassment I get at an airport.
#87
Re: More TSA Security
A mate just went through Boston airport, wasn't till he got through the other side that he noticed he still had his blade attached to his keys...and I'm pretty sure double edged razor blades aren't allowed as hand luggage.
What's the point in not letting a parent bring in baby formula for security when it's so easy to bring a knife on a plane?
It's only worth doing if it's effective and consistently applied.
#88
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: More TSA Security
Unfortunately all the security is just window dressing, to be seen to be doing something when reality is that it is a waste of time.
A mate just went through Boston airport, wasn't till he got through the other side that he noticed he still had his blade attached to his keys...and I'm pretty sure double edged razor blades aren't allowed as hand luggage.
What's the point in not letting a parent bring in baby formula for security when it's so easy to bring a knife on a plane?
It's only worth doing if it's effective and consistently applied.
A mate just went through Boston airport, wasn't till he got through the other side that he noticed he still had his blade attached to his keys...and I'm pretty sure double edged razor blades aren't allowed as hand luggage.
What's the point in not letting a parent bring in baby formula for security when it's so easy to bring a knife on a plane?
It's only worth doing if it's effective and consistently applied.
#89
Re: More TSA Security
Interesting. My British DH has flown to the US about 7 or 8 times between 2003 and this month, and I've been with him for all but the first time. Every time but the last time was the visa waiver programme - they didn't want to see anything, including whether or not he'd completed the ESTA stuff. This last time he was proudly trying to show off his IR-1 visa to everyone but again no one was bothered. The only guy who wanted to see it was the guy at US immigration on the other end.
The Immigrant Visa is in the passport. If the airline check in doesn't examine it, they still don't need to. The UK passport allows him to travel on the VWP.
Thank you! I forgot completely about the reciprocity tables.
#90
Re: More TSA Security
They can check by looking at the visa if it is still in date. I don't think the airlines have anyway of checking if it has been canceled. They can only check the name against the US no fly list.