more on TSA and Fear

Begin forwarded message:

From: Chris Kantarjiev <[email protected]>
Date: September 28, 2006 10:23:35 AM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [IP] more on TSA and Fear

> What i've been seeing for my last 6 years on airplanes, however, has
> not been encouraging. I think Bruce Schneier is right: the real
> deterrent has been strong doors on cockpits, and passengers who will
> no longer tolerate hijack attempts at any cost, not TSA's
> inconsistent, and, I fear, ineffectual security-line 'theatre'.

While I agree, I would point out that the "passengers who will no
longer tolerate hijack attempts" have caused their own idiotic
behaviour. Several have appeared in the news in recent months, but
I'll add my own:

I always travel with a generic water bottle. In the past, I would board
with it full, but on a recent trip (my first post-gel), I brought it
with me empty. At the first drinks service, I asked the flight attendant
to fill it with water. She refused. She offered to give me water in
a cup - as often as I wished ("it's a long flight and I get bored").
I asked it I could then pour it into my water bottle and she said no.

I goggled. She responded, essentially, "yes, it's ridiculous, but
it only takes one worried passenger to divert us". I flashed quickly
to a fighter escort and being led off the plane in handcuffs, and
put my water bottle away.

So much for "home of the brave".

Chris Kantarjiev
Palo Alto