Originally Posted by
Thedude
1- Well, we have this nifty thing called crew pass now. We had the technology for it 7 yrs ago but the TSA didn't want us to have it 'cause it wans't their idea. Or we could have done bio-metrics.
I don't know enough about CrewPass to comment, but I hope the identification process is more stringent than the current one found in "crew lines."
Originally Posted by
Thedude
2- They don't know the pax from Adam either but they accept a DL as a form of ID. Why not accept a SIDA badge. The old one I had for DFW was magnetic and (good luck on try to duplicate that thing) I could bypass security form the employee lot.
The reason they accept a DL is because that doesn't give them access to the flight deck or secure areas; it simply gives passengers the joy of touring the terminal. Most of our airline IDs don't even have magnetic strips and I've seen some with barcodes, the only item separating it from a library card is a hologram. In that way, they are less terrorist-proof than a Driver's License.
Originally Posted by
Thedude
3- Once your inside the secure side of the terminal, you still just cant get access to the plane. Something about having keys codes and other info.
That is a very good point. In my response to #2 I imply that you can get access to a flight deck with an airline ID, which isn't entirely true as you have pointed out. If the airport and its employees are following all the rules you would need to prove you are about to operate a specific flight, have a SIDA badge or door codes among other things. However, there are weaknesses in every airport and a uniform and ID can often get you almost anywhere you'd like to go.
Originally Posted by
Thedude
4- Guess you have never come up against a TSA moron who is on a power trip. They wanna give the whole search and then some. Right after 9/11, I was getting the full pat down infront of the pax. That served no reseaon other than to give the illusion of security.
As a matter of fact I have come across this. Imagine that
Originally Posted by
Thedude
5- I bring up the point again, do judges and lawyers get screened when they enter the court house. I think not. Most courthouses even have underground or seperate parking for those work in the courthouse. The same for US Embassy in foreign countries. Ever seen a US Diplomat or Embassy employee bypass security when going to work. I have.
I will also reiterate my point that I haven't endorsed any other approach to security, therefore attacking them has no bearing on our discussion about TSA airport policies. I agree there are many weak points in our country, however there are many things that go on behind the scenes to which we are not privy.