TSA Puts the Beat Down On Laptop Users
Even as airlines are starting to offer Wi-Fi to more passengers, TSA has taken another step backwards. If you think you’ll be able to bust out another blog post before landing, think again.
In lieu of the recent near terrorist attack on a Christmas Day, Detroit bound Delta flight, government officials and airlines have cracked down on passengers using laptops one hour before arrival. Even though the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has not posted specific guidelines related to use of personal belongings, most of these standards were enacted immediately after Friday’s events.
Ok. Here is where this gets a little sticky. This type of thing has happened before, (right after the 2001 attacks I might add), and there was no ban placed on the use of carry on items. Yes, we were subjected to removing our shoes as a result of Richard Reid’s attempt to ignite explosives, but more attention needs to be placed on WHY this guy was able to board in the first place…WITH explosives.
Having a prison like lock down, and interrupting business before the plane is scheduled to land will not solve the problem. If that’s the case, someone wanting to set up off a bomb will compensate and go in the restroom mid-flight.
Since we are living in a more “connected” society, the rights of online entrepreneurs and all passengers using the Internet should be protected. A consultant pressed for time, who is meeting a client at the gate will be thankful he wasn’t forced to put away the notebook an hour before a crucial meeting.
Getting to the Real Problem…
If an individual, like the Nigerian who attempted to blow up flight 253, wants to inflict harm on his fellow passengers…they won’t be concerned about what stage the flight is in to do their deed.
Again, it’s important to get to the root of the problem to avoid events like these from taking place. It’s been reported that the suspect had been inserted into the Terrorist Identities Datamart Environment list (TIDE – the list is comprised of over 400,000 names)…while less than 4,000 of these are on the “Do Not Fly” list.
Until we realize a real threat is out there, rights such as the one I’ve spoken about will continue to be taken away. I am all for stricter security measures to ensure the safety of travelers. And, in dealing with cases of national security, we’ll either act or react. I prefer the former.
