Six years since 9.11, the state of American Air Travel

For
frequent business travelers and passengers post 9.11 security requirements are
nothing more than a hassle. It seems most Americans have become immune to the
flavor of the month restrictions imposed by the FAA, TSA and others with stakes
in keeping us safe. Measures in place are enforced with little uniformity
across the United States.
Travel a busy Monday out of a “hub” like BWI or IAH and observe the intentional
short staffing of Gate Agents, Ticket Agents and TSA screeners. American tax
payers bailed out the industry to the tune of billions, the TSA has deep
pockets given their task at hand and yet we are forced to conform, be mistreated
and most importantly wait, because the Airlines and the Agency both have
agendas on the hill and expect working class America to dig deeper in their strained
pockets to offer continued assistance. Sure, the argument can be made measures
in place have thwarted many an attack post 9.11 but week in and week out, as I travel
the US,
I watch security breaches occur repeatedly. Liquids and gels pass through
unchecked, some have shoes off and others do not. A pocketknife strapped to a
belt, which should have been removed, pass through the screening machine
flashing red and audibly alerting the violation with nothing more than a nod,
smile and have a good day. A child pushes a stroller through detection, sponge
bob book bag strapped to his back, metal pen like object in hand. His mother,
busy with far too many carry on items and infant, frustrated and frazzled is
rushed through to keep the line moving. It seems the only time we even see much
interruption, apart from the infrequent “bag check” is for the elderly woman
sipping a bottle of water as she places objects on the belt. Did I mention the
same woman passing the TSA screener asking every passenger about gels or
liquids and the ticket agent checking boarding passes before even being allowed
to enter the security line?

It
is time we look at the system and address the issues. American air travel is
safer today than six years ago but methods and measures in place fall
drastically short of preventing another incident like we all remember. Our
elected officials need to ensure the taxpayers of America are being served as
expected and the typical misuse, misappropriation and mismanagement of our
dollars do not continue. If we are to continue to burden the inconvenience that
has become Air Travel in America
than it should at least be worth it. We are no safer on the “other side” of
security than we are walking in the Airport door.