the terrorists are winning. at least in the impact they have on my life. i am talking about airport security and immigration. since i am traveling quite a bit this is a major impact…
just went through the security thing in heathrow, london. these guys have clearly lost it. they now have a one bag policy. no more taking a small trolley plus a laptop bag. now you have to fit the laptop bag into the trolley if you don't want to check in luggage. and they reduced the size of what you can carry, so even my 20" bag (pretty small, something most man can use on a working week trip, and most women can use for an overnight) does not fit it.
there is probably an idiot a committee of bureaucrats that is responsible for coming up with airport security regulations. i wonder what ideas they decide not to implement.. their logic was probably that if people will carry one bag instead of two that will reduce the chances of someone sneaking in a bomb by 50%. great win for our security.
another great feature of heathrow's security apparatus is that they have a separate line for examining people shoes. another machine to buy, more personnel to do the screening, more lines for people to stand in. amazing idea.
a great reprieve when it comes to liquids. a big screen with the title "BREAKING NEWS" tells people that now they can buy booze and bring it on the plane. i am sure every bottle is being examined by experts, and that it has nothing to do with the commercial interests of the businesses that are making their profits from people who spend hours in the airport because they now have to check-in 3 hours in advance without nothing to do but shop…
the situation in the US is not much better. and there is no consistency:
everyone need to take of their shoes / some / no one
liquids in nylon bag inside the suitcase / liquids must be in a bag outside the suitcase
etc.
the real security value generated by all this mess. i think very minimal, if any. the masterminds behind the regulations will probably use a cheney-like argument "the best proof our security measures are working is that there was not another 9/11". a great argument, could be used to justify any action by the government. no need to prove that something works, it is enough to show that it's not not working.
this will end up with people boarding planes in their underwear holding the boarding ticket. could be a great boost for the diet and hair removal industries. i am sure some lobbyist is already working out the details of the proposal and the impact on the revenue for the drug industry.
