491–500 of 512 posts
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Install an app and everything? Why not just take a picture when you join, then take a picture just before you are there (with the same people before you) and lastly afterwards. Then just upload them to Twitter.
Since when did installing an app become such a big issue? Besides, I don't really see how your solution compares to the one suggested by the parent.
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Afraid of an NSL?
Hardly. OP's profile has more means of contact than just about any I've seen. There are genuine means of protest if the TSA offends or inconveniences you. Death threats and incitement of violence, whether general or specific are not helpful - here or anywhere else, and may be illegal, depending on your jurisdiction.
Could you please specify precisely that which I should not be doing? I wish to abide by all of HN's rules for participation.
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>a US$200 cab ride away It seems a little disingenuous to quote the taxi price when there are numerous train services available, of which the fastest still only costs ~$25. I'm not disputing your wider point, but it's not helped by throwing in misleading facts like that.
I meant to point out how far away it is, not to imply that taxis are a good choice. They are not. Tokyo and its surrounding countryside towns even as far away as Narita have the world's best train system and you should always prefer it. So I strongly endorse your advice to any travellers reading.
It's ~60mins to Tokyo station, compared with ~30mins from Haneda. And depending on where you're going that difference can disappear quickly. The time to Ueno is ~40mins either way.
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Thats funny. I had an unopened box of amazon aa batteries which really looked like a bomb on the x-ray (got to see it when they were inspecting). We both laughed about it when the lady saw what it was. I could tell he was really nervous though. Took me all of 5 minutes to resolve. Guess some tsa agents are just not very good at their job.
I flew from Atlanta a while back with a bunch of Trader Joe's 'Pound Plus' chocolate bars and a ten pound (!) Ghirardelli chocolate bar in my carry-on which got quite a reaction. The poor girl doing the screening seemed to think an explosion was imminent and was visibly distressed, quickly leaving her post and grabbing a supervisor. For those that don't know, big chocolate bars are organic material and look like expl…
I really do wonder how many terrorist plots have actually been foiled by TSA/ security staff. They seem to just be following guidelines with ZERO common sense. E.g. most screw drivers ok, but not safety scissors. My biggest pet-hate is the ban on liquids over 100ml, anybody with a basic knowledge of chemistry knows that explosives (by their very definition) are volatile and you really do not want to start drinking an…
You're completely wrong about explosives. They're not necessarily volatile, and in fact the best ones aren't. Dynamite will burn slowly and without any explosion. Other materials like C-4 are ridiculously stable under most circumstances to the point where there are stories of troops using it to light fires. Without a proper initiator most explosives are basically safe. An initiator usually introduces a lot of heat, a…
The explosive element of C4 is RDX, RDX causes seizures when ingested in small doses. Plus, a key ingredient is Nitric acid - I don't fancy trying any. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RDX#Toxicity
Interesting fact: The US produced 15,000 tons of RDX per month during World War 2, gives you some idea of the level of destruction during that period.
Blaming volume? How about 1) the switch from metal detectors to less numerous and slower body scanners? 2) the allocation of employee resources to the "pre check" line leaving less staff for 90% of travelers. 3) still having to take belts and shoes off even with a full body scan? This program has gotten seriously out of hand and is incredibly frustrating. I don't care if it's 3 hours or "75 minutes" anything over 15…
You don't actually have to take your belt off for the full body scan. I left it on once by accident and wasn't questioned, nor was I the next dozen or so times I've flown.
I also always get a patdown and hands run on the inside of my pants waistline. I think this is because I have long hair and the scanner operator punches the wrong button for sex.
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Obviously we can't have a perfect world, but vendors get fired all the time. Contracts go up for renewel, a new administration fires old vendors, etc. Public sector unions are eternal and only get worse over time. As far as "connections" go, Theranos is imploding right now even with its deep government and military connections.
Those connections likely made money and are also very likely immune from the current shit storm.
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You are free to travel without body searches, just not on an airplane.
Correct. You are also free to travel without body searches, just not on a subway, at least in NYC where they often setup mandatory checkpoints before you enter the platform. Also more and more COBRA teams are swooping through Amtrack and yes they do search your property. You are also free to travel without body searches, by a car; unless you are in a border zone of 150 miles, which currently covers the entire state o…
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Correct. You are also free to travel without body searches, just not on a subway, at least in NYC where they often setup mandatory checkpoints before you enter the platform. Also more and more COBRA teams are swooping through Amtrack and yes they do search your property. You are also free to travel without body searches, by a car; unless you are in a border zone of 150 miles, which currently covers the entire state o…
I have never seen a security checkpoint at a subway, what are you talking about? Hard to even imagine one. What is your source for that?
Usually 4 cops and a little table setup with some device they enter tiny paper samples in. NYPD cops. They profile as some people are not stopped.
EDIT: Okay I found the picture for you although this is not station I refer to:
http://cdn.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.10508690.1433457042!/ht...
Blaming volume? How about 1) the switch from metal detectors to less numerous and slower body scanners? 2) the allocation of employee resources to the "pre check" line leaving less staff for 90% of travelers. 3) still having to take belts and shoes off even with a full body scan? This program has gotten seriously out of hand and is incredibly frustrating. I don't care if it's 3 hours or "75 minutes" anything over 15…
Only thing I can think of is perhaps people live far enough away from an airport to make the interview requirement a burden... though in that case you can try to schedule your appointment for a couple hours before a flight, when you're already planning to be there.
(Of course, more people joining isn't in my best interest since I doubt they'll expand pre-check staff all that much...)
