Airport security and such ...

[bmattock]

It also helps to keep a good attitude when going through, may as well enjoy it, nothing you can do about it anyway.

I guess if living on your knees is your idea of being free. I *can* do something about it. I don't fly anymore. If enough people refuse to support this nonsense, it will change.

 

[dmr]

As another data point here, for a quick out-in trip earlier this week, OMA-MDW, it seemed just the same as prior to the activity in late December. Just the usual ID check with the black light, strip-tease and throw everything in the bins, walk through the metal detector, then on to the gate. No major lines at either OMA or MDW.

As for photo gear, for this trip all I was carrying was the little P&S with a loaded roll of W/F 200, so I just let it go through the machine.

 

[robert blu]

@ roger christian: sorry for question, but english is not my native language and I'm just curious to understand what a CPAP is !
About the main subject for sure if we want/need to travel by plane the exercise is learn to travel light, maybe time for one camera, one/two lens and not too many films.
Times for a 2-3 srl cameras, lenses from 20mm to a 80/200 zoom, flash, 20 slides film + 20 B&W and some IR are gone...
I'm meantime getting old and the attempt to travel light is now tempting me...
robert

 

[wgerrard]

I guess if living on your knees is your idea of being free. I *can* do something about it. I don't fly anymore. If enough people refuse to support this nonsense, it will change.

I don't really understand that, Bill. You've given up the freedom to fly in exchange for the freedom to avoid a security line? Each to our own, but that's a trade I wouldn't make.

I see the security lines as a hassle, not a deprivation of liberty.

 

[jl-lb.ms]

...as long as they have a flat-screen TV, an SUV, and beer in the fridge.

Well, that and a box of Maduro Churchills pretty much covers it.

 

[bmattock]

I don't really understand that, Bill. You've given up the freedom to fly in exchange for the freedom to avoid a security line? Each to our own, but that's a trade I wouldn't make.

I do not go voluntarily into places where I believe my civil liberties are being abused. The statement made was "nothing you can do about it anyway" and I noted that there is something you can do about it, you can avoid putting yourself in that situation. I don't go into bad neighborhoods either, and for the same reason; I don't like what might happen to me there.

Everyone must make their own choices. If I find myself in a situation where flying is the only option I have, I will grit my teeth and do it; as rogerchristian suggested, with a stupid vapid grin pasted across my face and a smile in my heart, every question answered with a cheery "Yes sir," the better to get through the torture chamber.

However, I exercise my right to choose less convenient methods of personal travel in all other circumstances. In the common parlance, screw 'em. If enough people drive or take the train instead of flying, the message will be sent. Continuing to bow down before oppressors on the basis that there is no choice is, to me, not worthy of free people.

I see the security lines as a hassle, not a deprivation of liberty.

I see the security lines as theater, designed to calm sheep, and a serious violation of the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution. I realize the courts do not agree with me, so this is my own personal opinion. I have the courage of my convictions - I stay away from such places, since I lack the authority to make them stop it.

I am only sorry so many Americans are so willing to lick the hand that holds their chains.

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams

 

[Beemermark]

Amtrak awaits. I for one prefer it (and private car travel) and no longer fly commercially at all - haven't in several years. There is nowhere I need to go quickly, and I have no intention of ever again leaving the North American continent. I try to never say never, but that's the plan currently.

Ditto, I have to travel a lot on business so sometimes I am forced to fly. Tried to get Amtrak from Syracuse to NYC last Monday and it was sold out. I've never had that happen on any Amtrak. Guess more people are discovering the joys of rail.

 

[Al Patterson]

Rail works great for short trip, like 300 to 400 miles, but for long hauls one might need to fly.

Last year, I went to California to visit relatives. I took 3 1/2 days each way on Amtrak. Now, if you only had a week of vacation time the round trip alone would consume all of one's vacation time. Fortunately, I had the time. But, I'm like Bill Mattack in that I'll check Amtrak first before considering subjecting myself to the "Security Theater" in the airports.

 

[wgerrard]

I do not go voluntarily into places where I believe my civil liberties are being abused...
In the common parlance, screw 'em. If enough people drive or take the train instead of flying, the message will be sent. Continuing to bow down before oppressors on the basis that there is no choice is, to me, not worthy of free people.

Fair enough, Bill. I just don't see it in that kind of framework. It's annoying, unpleasant, time consuming, and of dubious effect. But, frankly, it's only one part of what has become the miserable experience of flying. For me, the flight is worse than the security checks.

I fly because I don't want to drive and trains are pretty much a nonstarter. I wish we had an alternative. Where are our transporters??!

 

[wgerrard]

not to distract from you blokes in the USA thoughts or opinions what-so ever (fascinating to me) but i do find it interesting what sort of distance you fellas consider long enough that warrants a train or air ticket!?....the way things are going here, MANY people are nowadys turning towards air travel (wimps) for interstate trips (to cover 2-5000Klm or much more)...perhaps a little bit of rail for 800klm trips, though most aussies can drive that in their sleep or its like a trip to visit the mother in law, ya dont like it but its over quick enough....most people here that arnt competing with the Jones's, dont mind driving to a destination, perhaps this will change in the next 20 or so years to catch up with you blokes overseas...hope not...

We drive long distances here, too. Lots of people, for example, make the run from the New York area down to Florida in a marathon drive. That's, what, 1200 miles?

Trains are not a practical option for most of us.

The cost of multi-day driving trips is a factor. I can usually find around trip air ticket to the west coast for around $300. The drive would consume 5 days or so. The cost of gas, food, and accommodation make flying much cheaper. (Plus, no way would I spend 5 days in a car. Those days are long gone.)

 

[Al Patterson]

Right behind the flying cars in briefcases. 😉

We're not making progress with travel. We've already lost supersonic flight for the masses. If anything, we're going backwards.

That's for sure. If you look at old timetables, passenger trains ran at a faster average speed in the 1930's than they do today. Of course at that time passenger trains had priority. Today, when Amtrak travels off the Northeast Corridor, freight has the priority.

 

[Al Patterson]

And that's if you make it there at all with Slamtrak! 😛

I travel on Amtrak fairly often, and I've always made it to my destination. Now, I'll admit they do have their problems. I once spent 7 hours in New Haven because a Metro North train pulled down the catenary in New Rochelle. Other than that, I've rarely been more than 1 hour late. At least when you are delayed on Amtrak you're not stuck stuck in a metal tube designed for tiny people...

 

[wgerrard]

Amtrak, I believe, runs on tracks owned by freight lines, This means its trains often pull over onto a siding to allow a freight train to pass.

Many of these freight tracks are not designed or maintained to allow Amtrak trains to run at speeds as high as their capabilities.

Train travel in the northeast corridor of the U.S. and sections of the west coast is a practical option, but infrequently so in much of the rest of the country.

 

[Pablito]

I once spent 7 hours in New Haven because a Metro North train pulled down the catenary in New Rochelle. Other than that, I've rarely been more than 1 hour late.

My frequent experiences with Amtrak are quite the opposite. I am often several hours late. 😡

The film / x-ray topic has been beaten to death here in more threads than I'd care to count.

 

[Pablito]

We've already lost supersonic flight for the masses.

We never had supersonic flight for the masses. We had supersonic flight for the wealthiest elite.

 

[bmattock]

I travel on Amtrak fairly often, and I've always made it to my destination. Now, I'll admit they do have their problems. I once spent 7 hours in New Haven because a Metro North train pulled down the catenary in New Rochelle. Other than that, I've rarely been more than 1 hour late. At least when you are delayed on Amtrak you're not stuck stuck in a metal tube designed for tiny people...

I've been delayed several times. On a trip from Albuquerque to Chicago with my wife, we were trapped on the train for about 12 hours due to a train having hit a car on a crossing up ahead. On a trip from Rocky Mount to NYC, I was delayed about seven hours. My mother-in-law frequently takes the train from Rocky Mount to NYC and back, and sometimes it's on time, sometimes not. Could be anything from 30 minutes late to hours late. Amtrak can't always control that, since they can't pull over and pass other trains mostly. So I consider that train travel needs to have some extra time cranked in for good measure. Not the way to go if you have tight connections or are in a hurry to get somewhere.

On the other hand, I take the train from Pontiac to Chicago quite often. It's cheap, it's fast, and it puts me right into downtown Chicago with no driving on my part. Easy and fun.

 

[bmattock]

What's $10k among friends? One way. Okay, so it wasn't "available" to most, but at least it was out there, it was an option. Now the only way you're going that fast is by enlisting. 😉

Enlisted swine do not travel above Mach 1. That's for officers.

 

[bmattock]

So true. Unless you're on the "lifetime plan" starting with ROTC, officer training in Colorado Springs or West Point, etc. and become a pilot... You'll be relegated to buzzing around the globe within the belly of a great green beast at subsonic speeds and often pushed out the back door...

You got a door on your plane? Luxury! Our planes had no doors or windows, just big gaping holes where they would be, and we went out the 'hell hole' as it was known, on the end of a bit of rope, with frack-all on belay!

 

[Vics]

Years & years ago, I requested a hand inspection of my film at Rome Int. Airport (where there had been a terrorist incident the prior year). The guard was not pleased, pointed a small machine pistol (Uzi?) at me and said "show me." I had to stand there and show him that each roll of film indeed was a roll of film. The few that didn't have a leader were looked at closely.

As I don't like it when people point guns at me, I had never again requested a hand inspection and have taken my chances with x-rays and have never had a fogging problem. This may be prudent for the foreseeable future.

I've given up asking for a hand inspection, as they always say, "Sure. After all these other folks go through. Go to the back of the line." That way they can't be accused of refusing my request.
Now I either send it through the Xray or ship it ahead of me. I keep a stock of film at my son's house in LA, and when we fly to Europe, I just mail the film over. Works great!
Vic

 

[bmattock]

god knows how you blokes put up with this ROTC crap...i saw that first decades ago on the show 'happy days' and thought you blokes were nuts..but go figure , whatever makes you happy 😛

if i was under that stupid pressure every day ....and ...i had the choice to jump or not, with or with out parachute 😉 guess what i would take...take every last one with me tooo .....hahaha

JK around (i appreciate you dont know any better 😉)

I wasn't ROTC, that's for officers. I was enlisted swine, one each, green in color, property of the USMC.