Air travel nightmares

[fingertrouble]

(via 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*

Comments

[50poundnote.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth I've flown a lot recently (including international) and I haven't had any problems.

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.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

I know, but the attitude that 'we can mess you around' rather than making the experience a happy one doesn't defuse the situation - problems happen, but it seems like you are forced to being falsely cheerful and non-aggressive to the point of paranoia so you don't get pulled out of the line.

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.