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Airport Security
Those of you who are travelling may encounter a situation that moves you deeply. . . . . .
This is how my horoscope started that day. I was in the KCI Airport as I wrote this. I read my horoscope after I had checked in and gone through security. Oddly, there was a situation that moved me deeply as I was going through the security line.
The security people had taken aside an older woman who was in a wheelchair. The woman had white hair and appeared quite frail as she shakily stood up to remove her jacket. Based on her appearance I would guess that she was about 80 years old. The security people were helping her remove her shoes and jacket to send them through security scanner. I realize the security workers were just doing their job and I don’t fault them for it. However, I was rather appalled that a woman in a wheelchair, who was obviously quite frail, would be required to go through the same procedures as the rest of us. I guess, though, that there is more than one way to view the situation.
What is your take on this? Should everyone have be treated exactly the same regardless of their age and physical situation? Do we really need to be afraid of elderly wheelchair bound women?
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19 April 2009
at 1:36 p.m.
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liggyon (David Lignell) says…
Hi Joyce,
As you mentioned, the security workers were just doing their job. Still, I see your point about treating everyone the same. Surely, someone in a frail state could be allowed to remain in the wheelchair without violating security procedures. Of course, I know nothing about the security instruments they use, but couldn't the shoes be examined with a portable x-ray of some kind? On the other hand, I would expect terrorists would and have used elderly, children and decoys to exploit a weakness in security. Not sure what the answer is, but it’s a good question to examine. Maybe those of us who fly through MCI are finally beginning to endure what the Middle East and other regions have endured for many years: a life where security supersedes privacy and convenience. I suppose it's part and parcel of the modern age.
19 April 2009
at 1:48 p.m.
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jystevens (Joyce Stevens) says…
Dave:
You're right and you make some very good points. As I watched it happening though I just felt sad that things have reached this level. I can't imagine watching that happen to my own grandmother but you are right that “terrorists would and have used elderly, children and decoys to exploit a weakness in security.” Depressing.
19 April 2009
at 2:14 p.m.
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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…
Also, it could have been someone posing as an little old lady, someone sure to get sympathy. Probably not in this case, but it is something I would have considered. And, to think I used to laugh at people who are paranoid!
19 April 2009
at 3:09 p.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
This happened in Airplane II, they shake down the old lady and let obvious terrorists through, no questions asked.
Seriously, these random checks are just that–random. I've had them and my wife has had them. It's a hassle, but that's the way it is nowadays. Who's to say an old woman in a wheelchair could not be a terrorist or on the dole from terrorists? Just because she's an older lady in a wheelchair. TSA has a vision beyond that I'm sure. We've seen what terrorists are capable of and we full well know female and juvenile terrorists are routinely recruited in Europe.
It seems over the top, but you never know anymore, do you?
I'm just not one to be sold on first appearances.
20 April 2009
at 5:28 a.m.
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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…
Airport security are instructed to pull “by the number” (every 7th, 11th,16th, who knows) to avoid profiling. This could mean a housewife, a minister, a 9 year old child. Although this prevents profiling, an observant border with ill intent could easily keep count then move to a different place in line to avoid the “number”.
It is still safer to fly 5000 miles than to drive to the airport.
20 April 2009
at 6:54 p.m.
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yankeevet (Anonymous) says…
Everyone is and should be checked; everyone…..
21 April 2009
at 6:09 a.m.
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femail (Linda Hanney) says…
I hope the person this happened to was prepared for the check and not embarrassed. True, security has a job, but just a little privacy would go a long ways in an instance like this.
22 April 2009
at 12:54 a.m.
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vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) says…
Ironically while flying out of KMCI on my way to Iraq for the Air Force I had to go through the extra security screening. Mind you I'm in full military uniform, desert BDUs, boots, boonie hat, M4 in tow… sure enough though I had to take off my boots and all metal objects and get the wand ran over me and extra check through my carry on. Let's ignore the fact that I'm carrying a rifle onboard!
Common sense sometimes does not apply.
In the case of the elderly lady I see nothing whatsoever wrong with her getting the same screening as everyone else. Terrorists will use whatever they can to exploit a weakness; that could be a handicapped person, the elderly and children.
22 April 2009
at 5:54 a.m.
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femail (Linda Hanney) says…
Jesse, I would be honored and certainly feel sale to be on a plane with you.
23 April 2009
at 6:27 a.m.
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RoeDapple (Anonymous) says…
I would rather sit next to a soldier with an M-16 any day than a granny with a box cutter………….
(true, but TIC)
23 April 2009
at 9:41 p.m.
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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…
Shouldn't the soldier be flying on a military transport? If he was flying on a civilian plane why wasn't he wearing mufti and packed the rifle in a case, put in the hold?
Hey, I'm just asking.