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Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

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Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#81

About a year ago I was at an airport (Boston? New Jersey?) outbound that had a sign or TV monitor saying "Great news, you no longer need to take your laptop out of your bag!" I read this sign as a TSA worker shouted every 30 seconds to the shuffling line about how everyone needed to take out all laptops, "ipads", cameras, etc. I wonder if it was a pilot program. Or more likely, just part of the constantly shifting fa…

Yeah, it's always up to the whims of the underpaid TSA agent who happens to be there that day. Back when iPads were new, I got scolded for taking it out of my bag, and scolded for leaving it in my bag, by agents at the same airport on two trips a few weeks apart.

They just love to scold. It's the only time in their life they are an authority figure.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#82

Wow new technology? What now-lost mysterious technology was it that allowed us to get along fine without taking our laptops out of our bags 20 years ago?

The lack of fear?

Not in passengers but in the officials: what if somebody sneaks something in, and blows a plane? To alleviate that, a "we are doing all we can" CYA strategy should be in place.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#83
post #73

About a year ago I was at an airport (Boston? New Jersey?) outbound that had a sign or TV monitor saying "Great news, you no longer need to take your laptop out of your bag!" I read this sign as a TSA worker shouted every 30 seconds to the shuffling line about how everyone needed to take out all laptops, "ipads", cameras, etc. I wonder if it was a pilot program. Or more likely, just part of the constantly shifting fa…

Buy TSA friendly backpack. Problem solved. Bought mine at BestBuy. Samsonite 5580680. The zipper goes all the way down so the bag is split in 2, a pouch holding your laptop and the other half holds the rest of your stuff. This lets TSA X-Ray equipment inspect your laptop only without cables, cellphone, and gadgets on the way.

Yea i Bought a backpack advertised as TSA friendly that can open completely. While in theory it works, the TSA agent still yells at you to take everything out.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#84
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Next, how about removing the ridiculous limitations on carrying a bottle of water with you?

On a flight within China, my parents were simply required to take a sip from their bottles.

Neat idea. But while I don't know the instantaneous toxicity of liquid explosives, I'll conjecture that a suicide bomber might have the commitment and stomach for a wee sip of his boom juice as he passes the first gate to martyrdom.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t know why, but for me it’s the shoes. My laptop bag makes it fairly easy to take my laptop out and put it back in, but dealing with taking my shoes on and off really fucking bugs me. It’s totally irrational, I know.

I think your feeling is pretty rational. It's pretty annoying for no benefit. I wish they also offered flights with lower security. I'm fine getting on a plane if everyone went through a metal detector and kept their shoes on.

That won't fly. As we, I hope, already know now the security is not only for the people on the plane.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#86

Just get TSA pre-check. It's so freaking easy and it makes airport security checkpoints not a big deal at all.

Works only for US citizens and Permanent Residents.

And many other nationalities through Global Entry (GE includes TSA Pre), plus Canadians and Canadian permanent residents via NEXUS (which includes GE and through that also TSA Pre).

There was a time where what you say was true, but they've broadened access.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#87

It's fascinating how the security theatre has gotten so big that now it basically just rolls forward under its own momentum. It's been around long enough that people accept it as normal, it serves no other purpose than to employ the unemployable and fill contractors' coffers, and it seems that no entity is able to stop or dismantle it.

> It's been around long enough that people accept it as normal, it serves no other purpose than to employ the unemployable and fill contractors' coffers

It serves the purpose of removing liability for security from airlines, which is the major reason why it was created. It also serves the purpose of getting people used to progressively more intrusive government inspection during routine situations.

> and it seems that no entity is able to stop or dismantle it.

There are entities that are able to, but they don't want to, because they like what it does.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#88
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Next, how about removing the ridiculous limitations on carrying a bottle of water with you?

On a flight within China, my parents were simply required to take a sip from their bottles.

I don't get the logic in this. If your liquid is an explosive and you're planning to commit suicide with it, why would a sip of it stop you?

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#89

It's fascinating how the security theatre has gotten so big that now it basically just rolls forward under its own momentum. It's been around long enough that people accept it as normal, it serves no other purpose than to employ the unemployable and fill contractors' coffers, and it seems that no entity is able to stop or dismantle it.

The moment we experience government, we see the inefficiencies, yet some people want to see government get larger.

I just cannot understand the logic.

Re: Laptops to Stay in Bags as TSA Brings New Technology to Airports

#90

It's fascinating how the security theatre has gotten so big that now it basically just rolls forward under its own momentum. It's been around long enough that people accept it as normal, it serves no other purpose than to employ the unemployable and fill contractors' coffers, and it seems that no entity is able to stop or dismantle it.

I'd say the last 15+ years of air travel has been pretty safe in the US. To say the security has accomplished nothing is a stretch.

It was quite safe in the 15 years before 2001 too. As for the major incident that happened in 2001 -- it wouldn't have been stopped by any amount of scanning of people's laptops.
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