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IP: More on Air Travel
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 15:38:55 -0400
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 12:44:01 -0500 (CDT) From: Lawrence Landweber <lhl () cs wisc edu> To: dave () farber net Dave Some observations from a frequent flyer. People are nervous. Tension is being maintained by continuous warnings and predictions of possible future terrorist actions. U.S. government officials and the media are both responsible. It is almost as if they want to amplify fear and paranoia. The reprehensible boarding denial incidents described in the NYT article are a reflection of the current atmosphere of fear. We all should remember the terrible deeds committed by our country on its Japanese citizens as a result of such a climate of fear. My view is that the average person will not feel comfortable with commercial aviation until the government assumes responsibility for security and demonstrates that the public can have confidence. Today, airport security is still mostly handled by minimum wage poorly trained people. I personally have heard of a good many examples of undetected contraband. Moreover, there is no assurance that a marshal will be on a particular flight. Cockpit doors have not been strengthened. And jets are circling waiting to shoot down wayward airliners. Individuals are left with a feeling that security is up to them. After all, last week they saw four airliners hijacked by small groups of lightly armed men. So long as the government does not assume responsibility, a vigilante atmosphere can take hold, as witnessed by recent events. It is not enough for high government officials, most of whom travel on U.S. government planes to tell us to fly. When was the last time that Ashcroft or Rumsfeld or Powell or their top aides were on commercial flights? A symbolic step would be to announce that all govt officals and their families (except the president and vp) will be flying commercially, and without armed escorts or special security measures. Leaders should lead and that would certainly provide more confidence to average people than platitudes about saftety. But, of course, marshals, FBI agents or equivalent on ALL flights, enhanced cockpit security and trained personnel doing baggage checks would help even more! Larry Landweber
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- IP: More on Air Travel David Farber (Sep 22)