BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

A lot of it depends on how old the metal detector is, how it’s tuned and how high the sensitivity is set. As to how it’s tuned, the ones we used to use at security points at a previous job had three channels. Each could be set for a different metal. Surprisingly the detector plates (sides of the machine) stopped about ½ inch from the floor. Anyone without metal eyelets or decorations on their shoes could, if the attendant was lazy or stupid, shuffle through with an undetected box cutter in their shoe. I didn’t believe it until I did my own test.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

This info should increase Peterff's paranoia.

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Depends on how many persons you want to talk to before you get a straight answer! :-)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

What paranoia? I've flown with knives that went undetected for months that I had forgotten were in my luggage about a decade ago. I found them before the TSA did. My point was not about paranoia, but about successfully navigating the security processes both domestically and internationally. My advice was to cooperate and assist, which minimizes any negative impact. We have to accept that there are some bad actors out there, and I would prefer not to be on the same plane with them. Security personnel don't get the best pay on the planet, and frequently get a lot of abuse from so called 'entitled' people with 'attitude'. Helping them do their job 'as they see it' usually helps speed the process and reduces problems. Triggering their alert mechanisms can result in significant delays. I try to imagine myself in their position. My standard response is: "Please inspect anything that you wish. Take as much time as you want, I appreciate the work that you guys are doing, it makes all of us safer."

I'm not currently doing so much air travel as I used to, but up until two years ago typically did between 50,000 and 75,000 miles a year, both domestically and internationally. Sometimes with cameras, sometimes not, but I've never had a bad experience, even when pulled aside for a random check which does sometimes happen for good reasons.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Exactly how many terrorists have they stopped since 911 who wanted to blow up a plane?

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I do not know the answer to that question, but some for sure. Disclosing that information might also disclose sufficient information for terrorists to circumvent the system.

You and I come from differing perspectives. If I remember correctly, you hail from eastern Europe where there is some history of repressive regimes, and a legitimate reason to be suspicious of authority. My background is different, and I have found that working with authority and their representatives can be productive.

I was out of the country when 9/11 went down. Getting back was a little interesting. Working with people certainly helped. Two people that I knew personally died in that incident. I have no problem with the NSA monitoring my communication patterns, I'm not on their radar. They can read anything of mine that they wish to as far as I am concerned, they are protecting my rights and privacy, not invading it. I'm not not Anthony Weiner, and not behaving as he did, misguided individual that he is.

It is all a matter of personal perspective.

There are two quotes from NSA personnel that I remember and resonate with me:

"It's our job to do today, what cannot be done tomorrow."

"The terrorist has to get it right once, we have to get it right all of the time."

I have no problem with NSA, GCHQ, or the TSA. They all help me enjoy my freedoms.

Many years ago I very nearly booked a flight on Pan Am 103, and decided not to for various reasons. A few weeks later I saw the very big hole in the ground in Lockerbie.

All of these things inform my personal perspective.

blackest Loc: Ireland

“If you give up your freedom for safety, you don't deserve either one.”


― Benjamin Franklin

It's been 16 years since 9'11 and still looking for hijackers on every flight. Why not Trains or Buses or ... and you still get Andreas Lubitz.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

I know someone who was bumped from 103 due to overbooking and she took the other plane that was also taking off at the same time same route if I remember correctly.

As far as authority is concerned, I actually feel the same as you, but I see that the system is going towards what I escaped from. We can agree to disagree, but messing with little kids and elderly in the name of trying to stop hijackers will never fly with me. THERE IS NO RESON.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Some people evidently don't understand what they have until they lose it.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

PS: do you not find it interesting, that the day after 9.11. on september 12 2001, there was only one airplane that was allowed to take off from the united states, was a plane carrying Bin Laden's family?

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I can't comment on that. I have no knowledge of that.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

It was on regular tv next day.

krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Debunked. See http://www.snopes.com/rumors/flights.asp

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Good points, but I'm not talking about giving up freedom. Whether we support the system or not, working within and around it is usually more productive and less intrusive than trying to fight it on an individual situational basis.

As for planes, their destructive capability is much greater than most buses or trains. That's why they are a terrorist target.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

So when did the Bin Laden family leave? On the 13th?