Rant: flying

[abaduck 123]

Yesterday I had the dubious pleasure of flying back from the UK to the USA, this time through Heathrow for the first time in a long time. Virgin, Terminal 3. It was so bizarre I actually made notes; I swear to you this is 100% true. How did we get to this point? Where did we lose it all? When did we surrender?

1. First stop. Check-in machine. Show passport, swipe credit card, get boarding pass.

2. Bag drop, ten yards further on. Show passport and BP, drop bag. Go upstairs to departures.

3. Fast track security, first pre-security checkpoint; show gold elite card for fast track access.

4. Five yards further on, second pre-security checkpoint; show gold elite card, passport, and BP.

5. Security checkpoint - usual deal, empty pockets, scan bags, metal detector.

6. Ten yards further on, first post-security checkpoint: emigration control - show passport.

7. Five yards further on, second post-security checkpoint: shoe scan. Remove shoes for scanning.

8. Proceed to gate. 20 minutes walking. Start by negotiating a bizarre retail maze with NO direct route through if you're in a hurry; following the signs to the gates leads you round a maze of duty-free 'experiences'.

9. Pre-gate inspection: show passport and BP.

10. Five yards further on, pre-gate security secreening: show passport and BP, bags hand-searched, myself and my son (five years old) frisked (1).

11. Ten yards further on - the gate. Show BP, receive BP stub in return.

12. Door to aircraft: show BP stub.

There's only one word for this: BS! I could swallow a bunch of procedures and puke up a better system.

(1) re. frisking. I had no problem being frisked. When they said they wanted to frisk my five year old son too, I had had enough - they asked for my consent, I declined to give it. I said I had no problem with him being frisked if the law required them to do it, and/or authorised them to do it, but I wouldn't acquiesce to this nonsense or co-operate with it: "do it if you must, but not with my consent". Their ultimate response was 'you must explicitly consent or neither of you are flying anywhere'. I consider 'consent' in the face of a serious threat of that nature to be no consent at all; what's the purpose of going through the pretence of asking for consent?!

Mike

Edited April 29, 2008 by abaduck

[ONEEYEDMIC 68]

Considering Heathrow is probably one of the most internationally known and traveled airports that should have made you feel good. Here in the US security is a joke. Why do you think that they tell you to get to the airport 3hrs early?

What was the problem with frisking your son? You want to be safe but not inconvienced. I am a very impatient person but when it comes to flying I know that I have to be.

Let's not forget that the ENGLISH over the POND have been dealing with TERRORISM alot longer than we have. Sounds like they have it down to a science.

[ex-commish 490]

I would also have a hard time having my son frisked but unfortunately terrorists have used children as bombs or to transport materials so it is a price we pay for safety.

[Guest FFNick]

What was the problem with frisking your son? You want to be safe but not inconvienced. I am a very impatient person but when it comes to flying I know that I have to be.

I can not speak for Abaduck, but I have had a very similar experience, and more than once. I have no problem with security and the procedures that are required to make it "work" to make the skies safer. My family and I show up with plenty of time to go through screening, we never rush. My problem is that while I have to consent to having my 4 year old son frisked, I look at the immediate area around me and see easily a dozen more "questionable" people walk right through who I think look a bit more menacing to the flying public than my 4 year old son.

Just my opinion.

[ONEEYEDMIC 68]

I haven't flown yet with my soon to be 3 year old but plan to this summer. If and when I do, they can frisk and/or search him. It is not only for terrorism it is for drugs and other illegal contraband as well. And yes, I am sure we can all look around an airport and find people that look questionable.

I am not saying that it isn't right, I am just saying you have to go with the flow nowadays. I might ask if I can frisk them if they want to frisk me. See how they like it.

[Guest FFNick]

I am not saying that it isn't right, I am just saying you have to go with the flow nowadays.

I hear ya - understood.

For me personally, I have been "randomly" selected for frisking 4 out of the last 5 times I have travelled. I think that is where my frustration roots from. And before the comments come - No, I do not look like a hair bag, dress like Don Johnson or wear a funny moustache with a big nose and fake glasses when I fly.

[Truck4 48]

I flew back last month from Heathrow 1) Easter weekend and 2) a few days after the security breech. Trust me, it was worse. I did like the mall they have in the main terminal. I thought the posted walking times to the gates were hilarious. Some were 20-40 minutes walking time.

[NJMedic 96]

I've never flown thru Heathrow but I understand its a zoo. They designed the terminal like a department store....no easy way to find the exit so you're trapped in there until you but something.

The rest I tried not to worry about, just adds stress to the flight. I've flown out of Newark, LaGuardia, Philly, Orlando, and Phoenix Sky Harbor recently never really had any problems. I fact I've never been delayed more then 20 minutes for security and that was at Orlando in August, late afternoon, when all the international flights depart. I usually end up sitting around the terminal for two hours. I suspect the multiple checks at Heathrow and to add layers in case someone misses someone or something. I make fun of my wife when she gets singled out and the kids usually think its fun. My biggest problem is having to get the kids shoes on. There never seems to be a chair around and I feel bad holding up the line.

[DaRock98 76]

Although I have never flew to or from Heathrow airport I did just get back from San Diego on Sunday and flew from JFK to San Diego Airport and I did not have any complaints with either one. Actually I did not notice any difference in security and found it quite easy to go through. I also felt it hasn't changed much from pre 9/11. I am sure if I went through a busier time like a Friday it would have been delayed more but me and a few of my friends flew right through the checkpoints in the matter of 10 mins both going and coming home. I'm sure its frustrating if it's backed up but I would rather be safe and wait the extra time then have something happen on the flight.

[Guest MVFD334]

Abaduck the people you should be upset with are the P.O.S that have smuggled drugs onto a plane using a child, or these radicals like over in Palenstine that use kids as bombers walking into public cafes and such. I know that Isreal's airport screening is one of the most intensive out there.

[WAS967 97]

Let's not forget that the ENGLISH over the POND have been dealing with TERRORISM alot longer than we have. Sounds like they have it down to a science.

You think the Brits got it down, check out the Israelis sometime. They take airline security to a whole new level. I'm surprised they don't make the PEOPLE go through X-Ray machines to board. But they give pointers to US.

[abaduck 123]

You think the Brits got it down, check out the Israelis sometime. They take airline security to a whole new level. I'm surprised they don't make the PEOPLE go through X-Ray machines to board. But they give pointers to US.

Funnily enough, I did fly El Al a couple of times, ten years or so ago - they were the only airline flying direct from London Stansted (just down the road from my house) to New York. Their security was excellent but heavy-handed, and openly and unapologetically racist in a way that simply wouldn't be tolerated today; they basically seperated all the non-Jewish passengers out and kept them to one side, giving them the third degree. 'Are you Jewish? What is your religion? Do you speak Hebrew? Have you ever been to Israel? Why are you trying to fly El Al?' - those kinds of questions. On one occasion in a small back room, where myself and another passenger were detained for over an hour - and that was BEFORE we were even allowed to approach the check-in desk!

Mike

[ONEEYEDMIC 68]

When you have the BEST SPECIAL FORCES in the WORLD of course the security in ISRAEL is going to be great. I am not knocking our SPECIAL FORCES but the ISRAELIS wrote the book. It also helps that every Citizen in Israel has to serve in a Branch of the Military.

There was better security in Maui, HI airport then any airport I have ever flown so far. And that is to get on a puddle jumper to Ohua.

[SageVigiles 1,194]

You think the Brits got it down, check out the Israelis sometime. They take airline security to a whole new level. I'm surprised they don't make the PEOPLE go through X-Ray machines to board. But they give pointers to US.

The Israeli police have it right: See a terrorist? Shoot a terrorist. No arrests, no trial, just a 9mm hemmorage to the frontal lobes. Plus, Israel has alot of what is equivalent to US Sky Marshals. Only better armed and there are a helluva lot more of them.

Personally, I'm willing to have my trip slowed down for the sake of security. Its just like responding to a call, I want to get there alive, no matter how long it can take.