>The security we display in most aspects of our society echo the same
>security we display in most of our networks as well.
>
>Now ask yourself, why was it so easy to hijack these planes? Because we
>have sacrificed security for convenience - and our enemy used that
>against us. Well, something to chew on. G'Night.
Can someone explain to me how only allowing ticketed passengers past
security checkpoints is going to accomplish anything toward increased
security? The only thing I can even dream of is that it will reduce the
number of people passing the checkpoints.
I have a feeling this one isn't going to stick. Most airports weren't
designed for this. I pick people up from O'Hare at least a few times a
month. Other than the baggage claim (which is nearly packed during busy
times) where can you meet someone? I'd venture to say at least 25% of the
people hanging out in the gate areas are there to pick people up. Where are
these people going to go? If I remember correctly each of the baggage claim
levels at O'hare has one set of bathrooms, and at most one place to buy a
drink at. There's almost nowhere to sit. The monitors aren't showing info
about flights except those that have landed. People who normally wouldn't
have to go to the baggage claim at all (no bags checked) are going to have
to go there to meet people, adding to the crowding even more. There's just
nowhere else to do this.
Adding to the fact that after this alot of people are *really* nervous about
flying, and having a friendly face there at the gate for them is important.
In addition, this requires you to coordinate *where* you're going to meet
someone, rather than just being able to be at the gate they're arriving at.
I realize the significance of making changes in the wake of this, however
this one is (in my opinion) really unacceptable. I sent a letter off to the
director of the FAA today expressing similar thoughts. If you feel the same
way, you may wish to as well. I know I'm probably not very popular right
now, to be complaining about "added security", but the very weak additional
security this may provide is already outweighed by much much bigger
weaknesses elsewhere. If the problem is wanting more time spent at the
checkpoints, I've *never* seen all the checkpoints open at a time, on any of
the terminals. Opening more up couldn't hurt.
I know this is really getting non-operational, but keep this in mind if any
of you are getting called to meet&greet people at the airport over the next
few weeks. I spent a good amount of time today dealing with this very
problem with some travellers coming here over the coming weeks.
I have a feeling this one isn't going to stick. Most airports weren't
designed for this. I pick people up from O'Hare at least a few times a
month. Other than the baggage claim (which is nearly packed during busy
times) where can you meet someone? I'd venture to say at least 25% of the
people hanging out in the gate areas are there to pick people up.
Most international airports have separated the baggage claim from the
publicly accessible terminal halls. Changi by glass walls, others
(Frankfurt) by steel doors etc. There is no need for the public
to be in those places!
Adding to the fact that after this alot of people are *really*
nervous about
flying, and having a friendly face there at the gate for them is
important.
In addition, this requires you to coordinate *where* you're going to meet
someone, rather than just being able to be at the gate they're
arriving at.
> I have a feeling this one isn't going to stick. Most airports weren't
> designed for this. I pick people up from O'Hare at least a few times a
> month. Other than the baggage claim (which is nearly packed during busy
> times) where can you meet someone? I'd venture to say at least 25% of the
> people hanging out in the gate areas are there to pick people up.
Most international airports have separated the baggage claim from the
publicly accessible terminal halls. Changi by glass walls, others
(Frankfurt) by steel doors etc. There is no need for the public
to be in those places!
Unfortunately in places such as MSP (Minneapolis/St. Paul International)
you enter the building, the ticket windows are the first thing you see, and
everything else is beyond the metal detectors, (Food, Drink, Gift shops, and
the restrooms iirc) the only airport I can recall that is setup properly
for the new regulations would be Kansas City where they have metal detectors
and x-ray machines at _every gate_ enclosed with glass partitions.
> Adding to the fact that after this alot of people are *really*
> nervous about
> flying, and having a friendly face there at the gate for them is
> important.
> In addition, this requires you to coordinate *where* you're going to meet
> someone, rather than just being able to be at the gate they're
> arriving at.
It works internationally, so why not in the US?
Because our airports have been built, and rebuilt without this in mind, as it is
now you basicly walk in the front door, hit the metal detectors, then you're in the
airport.
And then there are the people who work at the detectors. "Turn on your cell phone so it beeps" "Turn on your pager so it beeps" What? What does that prove? If I went to all the trouble to put a weapon/bomb into a cell phone, don't you think I would go the extra mile to make it beep? I get that every time I fly
out of San Diego. My best experience so far has been in Spokane, WA. We thought
we were going to be late, so were hauling down the corridors, and I got stopped
since I had my backpack with some of my tools in it. Very nice gentleman pulled
me aside and asked if I had any weapons. "No" "Hmm, how about a Leatherman?" "Oh, yep, front zipper pocket" "OK, we just wanted to make sure."
Oh, and if you happen to fit a certain 'look', you'll get pulled aside and
wand searched, and all of your carryons will be searched. (I happen to have
a long ponytail, and tend to wear my leather when flying to Colorado or Nebraska, I've been searched 8 times in 5 years, and I've only flown around 12).
The current system needs to be overhauled, and competent people who have
definitive standards to live up to need to be doing the searches. Am not
sure who suggested a Federal agency be put in charge of this, but its
a darn good idea.
Having flown in and out of KCI (er, MCI, er... anyway) many times, there
is one additional feature - deboarding passengers leave the gate area
*immediately*, behind a cordon, and after only 20 feet or so are outside
that glass wall - so there is a natural arrangement to encourage people
*not* to wait in the cordoned gate area for pickups. A few folks do drop
offs there, and go in to wait with departures, but while this is permitted,
it is actively discouraged, and most folks appear to just stand in line
and wait for the checkpoint with whomever they're with, then hug and break
off rather than pass the checkpoint. Oh, and because it's clear glass, you
can still stand outside and "keep an eye" on folks (small children, etc),
or watchin for someone deboarding.
Between SJC, SFO, OAK, Las Vegas, Reno, SLC, O'Hare, Boston, Hartford, and
Kansas City, the *only* airport designed at all rationally to separate the
final gate travellers from those accompanying but not flying, and provide
everything else reasonably, was Kansas City.
Unfortunately, the price is fairly direct - you cannot get by with 3-4
"stations" of 2-3 detectors each, and manning only 1-2 of those. Each and
every gate must be separated and have it's own sniffers, detectors, and
security inspection. The manpower cost is increased significantly (though
the gate areas are not staffed unless it is within about 1.5 hours prior
to a departure from that gate). And most current airports could be retro-
fitted to accomodate this, though it certainly wouldn't be easy in some of
them. But if the restriction remains in place, it will probably be demanded
by travellers.
Hmm. BOS I've travelled in and out of regularly the last year or so.
In Terminal E, out Terminal B.
Terminal E (International) has places for people to eat/drink and sit
outside the security checkpoints on the departure level (there are more
options inside the checkpoints, granted). Waiting for arrivals could
do with some more space, but its only a short escalator ride from the
departure level, and the baggage claim area is sealed off from the public
(as it should be IMHO). People seem to cope ok.
Terminal B also has food and drink concessions outside the checkpoint,
again... not so many choices as behind the checkpoints, and the Admiral's
Club is on the secure side.