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A Look Back at Airline Security
(and Forward)
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Last Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of one of the worst air disasters
in history, the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 en route from London to JFK.This terrorist bombing has a legacy we carry with us to this day; tighter controls on bag transfers, baggage matching to passengers on board and if there's no match, the bag comes off.
Even though there were several major terrorism attacks and acts against USA airliners before Pan Am 103 (especially to TWA), it got the attention of America to get vigilant on terrorism against airliners.
FlyersRights' president, Paul Hudson, was interviewed by CBS News on the tragedy.
There were several memorial services held last weekend, in New York City, in Westminster Abbey, London, Arlington National Cemetery near Washington DC, at Syracuse University (where a number of those killed were attending school exchange programs), Detroit and at Lockerbie itself.
To this day we keep this flight in mind and hope that nothing like this ever happens again.
Rest in peace to all the passengers, crew and innocent civilians who lost their lives and all others affected by this cruel loss. |
PAT-DOWNS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!Big Brother tells kids: TSA 'isn't scary'
The Transportation Security Agency has released a ridiculous cartoon that has been roundly panned in the blogosphere. Its sole purpose appears to be a means of indoctrinating young children to comply with heavy-handed government edicts and instructions.
TSA Kids is the latest misguided effort from the Dept. of Homeland Security. It pretends to be an educational tool but it borders on self-parody.
Yes, the US government has made a cartoon with dogs to teach children
about the post-9/11 security regime.
It's unknown how many tax-dollars were spent on this latest venture to improve TSA's image. The video casts the travelers and TSA agents as cute characters and show how fun it is to go through a checkpoint.
The children are taught the phrase, "Stop, Screen and Go!" as their persons,papers, and effects are searched.
One might wonder why the video avoids mentioning the manual pat-downs which travelers frequently endure.
Anyone who is even vaguely familiar with the multitude of horror stories involving the TSA will come to the conclusion that the cartoon scenario is not just sugar coated but a complete fairytale. Unsurprisingly, comments for this YouTube video have been disabled.
Stop. Scream. Cavity search. Go. Your government at work.
Is this progress?
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An Israeli Security Expert
On Why TSA is All Wrong
A security expert's advice has gone viral on why US airport security is so ineffectual. You won't know whether to laugh or cry.
Here's Rafi Sela, former chief of security at Tel Aviv - Ben Gurion Airport with seven reasons why the TSA is so awful.
It's a fascinating study about a system that is entirely bogged down by corruption, incompetence, petty political squabbling and blatant graft.
Hey, when the Israelis give you advice about airport security, you listen. |
The virtues of upselling
US Airlines Raked in $4.7 Billion in Baggage and Change Fees During the First 9 Months of 2013
US airlines made $4.7 billion from checked baggage and reservation change fees in the first three quarters of 2013, according to the DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
For the fourth year, Delta Air Lines is on track to beat out all other US airlines in checked baggage and change fees, taking home $1.3 billion in revenues.
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FlyersRights depends on tax-deductible contributions from those who share our commitment to airline passenger rights. You can give appreciated stock for an extra tax deduction benefit. You will be sent the latest FlyersRightspublications and newsletters. You aren't merely supporting our mission, you become a part of FlyersRights.
While DC is shut down, Congress is gone on vacation (after doubling security fees) and the President is in Hawaii til early next year, FlyersRights is on duty! Last week we presented the Bill of Rights in final form to the DOT and FAA, and handled Hotline calls from passengers without missing a beat!  More volunteers are desperately needed for the Passenger Bill of Rightsadvocacy - to make Congress sit up and listen.
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We welcome your thoughts and opinions.
Email your letters to: Kendallc@FlyersRights.org |
