Airport security checkpoint (Photo by Nick Gray)
'Tis the season to be jolly -- and to travel by planes, trains and automobiles. Weather, crowds and baggage handlers can be enough of a trial when you're trying to get from Point A to Point B in time to give gifts and sit down to a meal, but post-9/11 security concerns can make even a short trip seem like a tour through an Iron Curtain theme park.
After all, this is the time of year when the Transportation Security Administration advises us, "You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but pleased be advised that they are subject to additional screening."
Well, who can blame them? My in-laws' pecan pie is truly a weapon of mass destruction.
So, while I wish all of you a very merry Christmas, Hanukkah, or holiday of your choice, I also want to hear from you about whatever hassles you may have suffered at the hands of modern security forces. Did you have any trouble with the TSA? Local police? Border guards? Let me know at:
civilliberties (a) tuccille.com
Eliminate the spaces and change the "a" in parentheses to an @ symbol and you're good to reach me. I'll use your stories, with or without your names (you tell me) for a piece on what it's like to travel in today's America.
But honestly, I hope you have nothing to tell me. And I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday.
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Contact J.D.: civilliberties (at) tuccille.com
Comments
I LOVE THE TSA! They are just as nice as my attitude allows them to be. Choose the "We do not check for Bombs Lane" next time you travel.
Happy New Year!
I'm a 60 year old woman that get's singled out at airports because of my hip replacement. I don't mind the wand scan or even the round glass elevator they put me though at another airport, but yesterday at Norfolk airport I was treated like such a criminal in the tone that they used to me, they were so obnoxious and rude, but the worst part is I could barely understand their accent, so every time I said I didn't understand the question they became even madder at me and used a hostile tone even those I was very polite. I was forced to hold my arms up longer than was bearable at my age and condition. Is being cruel and nasty making us safer? They need to hire people that speak proper english at the very least. These 2 woman have no excuse for acting so rude, the other agents at other airports didn't treat me like that. They refused to look at my card from my surgeon they give to people to get through security.
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