Reading this article on how a fake drivers license is easy to obtain reminded me of something that really, really made me leary of airport security.
Mike went to a wedding in New Jersey over Labor Day weekend. He flew to Newark on Thursday morning. Sure, it was Thursday, and probably not as busy as Friday and Monday would be – but it was still the kick-off of a holiday weekend. Know what happened? He didn’t have to show his drivers license a single time at the airport. No one checked it. No one.
Hello? I thought that the airports were supposed to be more secure? For goodness sake, the last time I flew I had to remove every single battery operated item from our carry on bags, and then take off my shoes while I went through the sensor. Just weeks later, they didn’t even check his license. Granted, I realize he doesn’t look like a terrorist – but that’s not the point. I don’t either. But they should always check your license, no matter what. No questions asked, just check it.
I’m not afraid to fly. However, I have absolutely no faith in airport security and I don’t feel any safer today then I did 2 years ago.
12 replies on “Faking It…”
You would expect airport security to be tighter, with 9-11 right around the corner and all…
Are you sure that he didn’t just box himself in a packing crate and fly there? Seems to be a popular idea!
That being said, airline safety is kind of a false hope anyway. We scan so many things for bombs, but when was the last time a bomb blew up a plane? Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. (sp?) Something like 86% of the scanners for luggage can’t even detect C4! And we don’t scan any cargo. Meanwhile, they get all over me because I forget there’s a penny in my pocket!!
Don’t get me started.
A-MEN!
My ten-year-old flies from MN to IL every three weeks on her own to visit her dad. We have to get passes to pick her up at the gate from the desk agents so we deal with the same people you do when you check in. My husband went to the counter on Monday, said, “I’m here to pick up an unaccompanied minor…” and that’s as far as he got. The woman just asked him his name and the name of my daughter and wrote out a pass. Didn’t check his ID or anything, not even at the security checkpoint, didn’t even consult the computer to make sure that a child by that name was coming in on that flight… It’s like everyone else is expecting the next guy to pick up the damn ball.
All that says to me is that if anyone really wants to jack with our airports they should do it on a Monday. Oh wait, didn’t we already *have* a major attack on a Monday? Geesus, we’re like sitting ducks.
(pssst… come to austin this weekend for 20×2)
TSA are a bunch of morons. We call them Thousands Standing Around. I can’t believe the customer service for the airline didn’t check his ID, though. That sucks. :/
Leia – I want to! I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to swing it though as I am beyond broke and I would need to figure out something to do with Jason. *sigh* But I really want to go!
This isn’t really shocking. I was reading an article the other day about how to get on a plane after buying a ticket in someone else’s name. I won’t go into it, but the way that the airlines are allowing you to print out a boarding pass from home is not secure at all. No one EVER checks that the boarding pass and the ticket match. If someone wants to get on a plane and do bad things, it’s hard to stop them because it’s so easy to screw up. Take the train, it’s a lot less complicated.
Wow. I had no idea things had gotten so lax again. So much for heightened security.
Great, just great…
Christine posted an entry today on how her boyfriend didn’t even have to show his drivers license on a recent…
Great, just great…
Christine posted an entry today on how her boyfriend didn’t even have to show his drivers license on a recent…
You guys are complete idiots, I bet you don’t cringe every time you get into your car despite the fact that you are much more likely to die then. You also don’t know that you’re TWICE as likely to commit suicide than do die by the hands of a terrorist. Quit being hypocritical, airplane travel has been and always will be safe.
so what, what are they going to do after they look at ur id? u think all these poeple have the names of known terrorists memorized? the reason they check it at the security pass is to ensure that ur name is on the boarding pass, and ur not trying to just sneak in..i understand natalies coment about picking up her duaghter, but other than that, i dont think it really would put us at any great a risk (althoguh i still think it should be done…)