Air travel nightmares
Sep. 8th, 2006 10:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
fingertrouble(via ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
fuzzyjay
An interesting story about air travel and the nightmare from security it poses now: http://hasbrouck.org/blog/archives/001065.html. Certainly similar things have happened in the UK, I read about one Guardian journalist who was travelling and had the police called over because she was querying something at one of the helpdesks and polite but getting frustrated (something about baggage) and then tried to take their names, their hid their name badges and called the police over. Obviously regarding you as a 'terrist' threat is easier than doing a good job and we all have to be dumb compliant lambs and one peep out of line they threaten you with security.
I'm flying in November, booked before all this current nightmare, but even then I was dreading the US-VISIT program (stupidly named, if there's one thing that'll make you NOT want to visit the US in future it's that), and now I really dread to think what's it going to be like flying to the US.
To be honest I think this estimate of 40 Million by BA of the disruption is the tip of the iceberg, I certainly don't want to fly in future - not because of the terrorist threat, that's always been there, it's no more dangerous nowadays, less so in fact I think - but because of the nasty cattle-herding jump-through-hoops security.
I think in future we (John and I) might take holidays in Europe or the UK. It's probably not worth the hassle anymore flying. So the terrorists have lost have they according to Bush et al? *laughs sarcastically*
fuzzyjay An interesting story about air travel and the nightmare from security it poses now: http://hasbrouck.org/blog/archives/001065.html. Certainly similar things have happened in the UK, I read about one Guardian journalist who was travelling and had the police called over because she was querying something at one of the helpdesks and polite but getting frustrated (something about baggage) and then tried to take their names, their hid their name badges and called the police over. Obviously regarding you as a 'terrist' threat is easier than doing a good job and we all have to be dumb compliant lambs and one peep out of line they threaten you with security.
I'm flying in November, booked before all this current nightmare, but even then I was dreading the US-VISIT program (stupidly named, if there's one thing that'll make you NOT want to visit the US in future it's that), and now I really dread to think what's it going to be like flying to the US.
To be honest I think this estimate of 40 Million by BA of the disruption is the tip of the iceberg, I certainly don't want to fly in future - not because of the terrorist threat, that's always been there, it's no more dangerous nowadays, less so in fact I think - but because of the nasty cattle-herding jump-through-hoops security.
I think in future we (John and I) might take holidays in Europe or the UK. It's probably not worth the hassle anymore flying. So the terrorists have lost have they according to Bush et al? *laughs sarcastically*
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-08 10:18 am (UTC)November
Date: 2006-09-08 12:47 pm (UTC)Re: November
Date: 2006-09-08 01:09 pm (UTC)Re: November
Date: 2006-09-08 02:20 pm (UTC)Re: November
Date: 2006-09-08 02:46 pm (UTC)Re: November
Date: 2006-09-08 04:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-08 10:37 am (UTC)Speaking as a former and future airline employee, the worst thing you can do is lose your temper with anyone who works for the airline or they can make things really difficult for you. If anything should come up (delays, luggage issues, etc.) be as friendly and polite as you can. It's their job to help you and they come up against surly passengers so often that they'll probably go out of their way to help someone who isn't screaming. Go into the trip expecting the travel to take far longer than you think it should, and it will probably be smooth.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-09-08 12:53 pm (UTC)I feel it in any airport now, it makes flying stressful to know you're being profiled watched and analysed at every point...having a long beard doesn't help, but
I'm always courteous to airline staff, but now it feels like I have to be overpolite and compliant the last 2 times I've been through...the threat is always there and means I can't relax.
See a sample
Date: 2006-09-08 01:20 pm (UTC)-Why was I flying from Shannon instead from Spain? (I was in Ireland with my bro')
-Why my brother was studying in Ireland? (Didn't she know about Erasmus grants?)
-What was I going to do in the US?
-Why I wore a beard? (Answer: why not? - Her answer to that: It's my duty to ask you this)
And more and more and more questions...
I'm flying back to Europe via LHR. Thank God, her Majesty Customs service is much nicer.
(Visit Spain someday!)
Re: See a sample
Date: 2006-09-08 02:22 pm (UTC)Why you wore a beard? This is exactly what I mean...even travelling alone in the US last year on Sept 10th to NY did I get a question as invasive as that!
Re: See a sample
Date: 2006-09-08 04:37 pm (UTC)I have been questioned at BCN by an employee contracted by the airline (US Air) who asked questions that are no longer asked in the US. But you can't argue with them.
I am making a point of not travelling to or through the UK until they are more civilized.
I assume that Xavi might look more "Middle Eastern" than me and hence subjected to more questioning.
Chuck
Re: See a sample
Date: 2006-09-08 06:07 pm (UTC)Anwyay. The UK customs have been always less intrusive to me, and I used to commute to England quite often for one year.
UK residents don't get their passport stamped in Schengen countries :) They can move freely here. Gringos like you get another treatment, hehehe :)
Gringos like you get another treatment
Date: 2006-09-08 06:15 pm (UTC)Chuck
Re: Gringos like you get another treatment
Date: 2006-09-08 10:39 pm (UTC):)
I'm changing airports in London as well. I arrive in LHR and I must take the flight to Madrid from LGW... I'll try the National Express coach service, although I think that the Tube + Southern option is cheaper
Re: See a sample
Date: 2006-09-08 06:01 pm (UTC)This is a complete nonsense. I understand the xrays and such, but the interrogation of people and the absurd rules have gone too far.