www.CostaRicaTicas.com

yes I had some talcum powder that I didnt know was in the carry on until I got home.

I guess that shows that the security folks in San Jose can miss stuff going through their airport security, like it happens up here sometimes. But you never know, you may get lucky this time, but get caught next time.

I flew from SJO to Atlanta on Jan 14th, and was surprised at all of the security measures. Arrived 2 hours early for a 3pm flight and had plenty of time, but it was very repetetive.

First check after getting my ticket, usual xray machine and metal detector went fine. The guy opened my bag and looked all through it, but no problems. Was only taking a carry on so it was jam packed. He saw my 1qt bag of liquids, and also 3oz cans of shaving cream, powder, disposible razors, etc. Also had a few left over packs of generic viagra that he might not have seen because i had them in with the clothes, not sure if it would have mattered.

Then it comes time to board the plane, and inside the little walkway from the terminal to the airplane there was another bag check where they opened every single person's bag and looked through it. This lady decided to confiscate my axe body spray even though it was only 3oz, it was in a little bit bigger looking can. I pointed out the size, and she didnt seem to care. Whatever, its only like $5, not going to make a scene.

Then I pass that lady, she gives my bag back, and I am off to the next guy who does a full pat down of my body. Unlike some cursory checks where the minimum wage guy doesnt care, this guy was actually really thorough and felt almost everywhere. I kept thinking back to that show "locked up abroad" where they try to smuggle drugs, and there's NO WAY you could have taped anything to your body with this guy patting you down. I got a little nervous even knowing that i didnt have anything, haha.

Then I get off the flight in Atlanta, and have to do it all over again to board my connection to NYC. At least we're "safe" I guess...

Anyway, everything went fine, didnt need any extra time, but know the rules and dont think you can sneak anything extra by because they certainly are checking.

With all this, does anybody really feel safer...or just more violated? And when they deploy body-scanners worldwide, we'll all eventually be "glow-in-the-dark". See my post (later in the week) about these contraptions. Freighter travel gets more appealing all the time.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Regarding our security procedures, I had a chat one night with a TSA supervisor who is emphatic in that current procedures are unnecessary and do not prevent further recurrances. The statement, "The system worked" was correct. Nothing was done contrary to procedure. Nor on 9-11 either.

We replaced a perfectly good privately-run, experienced system with rookies. I have taken 3 bottles of rum through Atlanta on my carryon (there was a trainee and a busy airport, so with a little diversion manuvuere I was able to get it through); a greater than 4 inch knife blade, other liquids, and multitool.

If the procedures were proactive and effective, I would have no complaint. But they are not. They are reactive, and terrorists will change tactics, and improve their MO. A form of profiling, if like how the FBI at Quantico have done with serial and mass murders, were impliemented, we would have a greater measure of safety than all the searches and contraptions that we invent.

btw...that's the TSA's supervisors opinion as well...well not about replacing the private firm...he advocates unionization.

Whether private or Government workers, the costs may be somewhat higher with unionized workers but study after study has shown a greater degree of worker professionalism with union workers. Restrictions on work rules can be worked out...by negotiation and better/ more professional management. This all comes with greater accountability on both sides of the equation--labor and management. Look at what a failure privatizing prisons has turned out to be. As an op-ed letter recently said, we expect a high degree of professionalism from air traffic controllers, why not an equal degree from security professionals?
Oh and BTW a recent Financial Times op-ed piece called for bypassing/ boycotting the US entirely for major world conferences/ trade meetings/ conventions because of our amateurish and haphazard air port security procedures. He was entirely serious that a big money drop in this area would force the US to reconsider the whole panoply of largely ineffective, nay, counter-productive programs and practices. in the middle of this serious recession, it shouldn't take much to pressure the Feds to give this a rethink. Witness the reconsideration of legalizing a certain vegetative product and the tax implications therefrom deriving.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED