Doublethink Comes to an Airport Near You

[Autolykos]

From here:

Bruce Delahorne, a marketing executive who flies frequently, said he was also recently going through a standard metal detector at O’Hare — no body imager in sight — when the old rules abruptly changed.

Mr. Delahorne said: “They had one of the T.S.A. staff announcing loudly: ‘Take everything out of your pockets. If you have a wallet, take it out. A handkerchief, out.’ I asked the guy, ‘Can you explain the reason for the new process?’ He said there was nothing new. ‘We have always done this.’ ”

Well, no they haven’t, as you and I and Mr. Delahorne all know. Mr. Delahorne said he thought, “O.K., I get it. This guy is reading from the card, not talking to me.”

So, Mr. Delahorne said, “I did what they told me to. But on the other side of the metal detector, I said to another screener, ‘Could you explain to me why the procedure is now different at this airport, like having to remove a wallet that never set off the metal detector?’ And he said, ‘No, no. The process has always been the same, at every airport.’ ”

[Emphasis added.]

The gloves are really coming off now…

I think this should be reported on the LRC blog as well.

[Solreyus]

How often do you fly?

I’ve always been told to take everything out of my pockets and place them in a tray to the side of the metal detector, including my wallet, keys, coins, etc.

Although I’ve recently taken to putting most of my items into my coat before I get screened, and then sending the coat under the xray together with my bag and laptop, makes the whole procedure slightly quicker and is also better for security.

[Autolykos]

Metallic and electronic items I can understand. But a handkerchief? Really?

The last time I flew anywhere was back in August. Every time I’ve flown, I’ve never been told to take literally everything out of my pockets. I routinely went through the metal detector with my wallet still on me, for example.

[Caley_McKibbin]

Most of the procedures seem pointless. You can just pretend that there is nothing in your pockets. They don’t check. You can pretend that you don’t have liquids. They don’t check. They essentially rely on suicide bombers to say, “Oh. You know what. I have some plastique/whatever in my pocket here. Thanks for asking.” The last time I went to the U.S., in March, was the only time I’ve ever seen a direct handbag search and substance scan. I’ll see what they are doing now when I fly to Britain and back to Canada next week.

[Giant_Joe]

Most of the procedures seem pointless. You can just pretend that there is nothing in your pockets. They don’t check. You can pretend that you don’t have liquids. They don’t check. They essentially rely on suicide bombers to say, “Oh. You know what. I have some plastique/whatever in my pocket here. Thanks for asking.” The last time I went to the U.S., in March, was the only time I’ve ever seen a direct handbag search and substance scan. I’ll see what they are doing now when I fly to Britain and back to Canada next week.

I’ve travelled often enough…

I can pass as a bosnian muslim if i let my beard grow out a little bit. That’s when they usually hassle me. From now on, I make sure I look as WASPy as possible when crossing Canadian/American borders. They haven’t hassled me since.

[Canada]

I wonder how much it costs to buy all of the screening equipment. I’d love to play with it and post detailed articles on their weaknesses so the travelling public could better protect themselves.

[Bill_Smith]

I’m about as WASPy as it gets but on a flight from Phoenix to New Orleans I was told I had to give a DNA sample. Swab of saliva. And whatever you do don’t try to carry a box of Arm & Hammer baking soda with your carry on. I’m old school and nothing knocks out acid reflux like bi-carb. Missed my flight while they were analizing it