Box cutters = ok, bottled water = banned.

[electron_blue]

Have I got that right?

Box cutters (and many other sharp instruments) are allowed again on airplanes, according to the TSA. But not bottles of shampoo, water, anything looking suspiciously like a liquid.

Box cutters, which were reportedly used by terrorists to bring down all the planes on 9/11, are now okay. Why? Have the terrorists promised they won't use them again? Are they bored with them and now want something flashier, more james-bondier? Hmm

Or maybe the airlines just gave in to a great demand and outcry by the public to bring back boxcutters on the airplanes? Was there such an outcry? No there wasn't. I think most people just thought "well, duh, okay, no box cutters. No sweat off my back". It made sense to most folks.

I think this whole "bottles" ban is just out there to get the public's attention again. People are inconvenienced by this in a way they never were with the box cutter ban. And they're talking about terrorism again, they're thinking hard about it when they get on planes, they're more likely to be afraid with all the reminders of common every day things *they* cannot bring. They are suspicious of everyone holding a bottle or cup at the airport. Or at least that is the hope of this administration, running on fear as its fuel.

Interestingly, this ban "works" to make people afraid EVEN IF the recent UK incident was REAL and a potential imminent disaster that was botched at the last second.

I do want the airlines to be safe.

Banning liquids on planes, while allowing box cutters on board, and while not checking the vast majority of bags in the cargohold is just dumb. This is not a safety plan. This is a manipulation plan for the public.

What do you think?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[spinbaby]

2. Just because you're paranoid...

...doesn't mean they're not out to get you;-)

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[William769]

10. Just look at the name.

:rofl:

[uppityperson]

11. do a search, not sure

yes, this post seems apparent, but the others? watch and play a bit first

[Wise Doubter]

9. na na na na na na na na .....

na na na !

Finished with my woman
'Cause she couldn't help me with my mind
People think I'm insane
Because I am frowning all the time


In my best Ozzy voice
}(

[SacredCow]

3. Where are you getting that box cutters are OK?

I'm not doubting you- I just haven't seen that anywhere.

Agreed on your last statement- The airlines are no safer today than they were last week, last year, or even 10 years ago. It's all for show.

[electron_blue]

12. well, the TSA's own website is a little confusing today, but here

is a link. The TSA relaxed standards for knives & scissors last year. I think 4" is the longest a blade can be on a scissor and you can still take it on. Cigar cutters also ok. Small nail scissors, clippers also okay now.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/12/02/airport.screening/index.html

Actually, I'm not sure whether box cutters are officially classified as a knife or not. The only TSA document I could find about knives (at their site!) is 1.5 yrs old, predating the latest rules.

[Freedom_Aflaim]

15. If Cigar cutters are ok....

Then essentially allow str8 razors which is what a box cutter is.

30 seconds with a cigar cutter and you've got a pretty nasty weapon.

[electron_blue]

16. yes, TSA sez straight razors ("safety razors") are "okay" :D

You're right about the cigar cutters.

[leftofthedial]

4. you think any of this has the slightest relation to safety

or security? Or rationality?

:spray: :rofl:

[MrCoffee]

5. I think you're spot on.

[fleabert]

7. I think passengers carrying water on a plane would be a good thing...

in case there was a fire or something, since matches are super easy to bring on the plane. Box cutters, on the other hand, are a stupid thing to allow on a plane- why in the world would anyone NEED boxcutters in their carry on? laziness, vandalism, or malicious intent IMO. Water? thirsty.

this is all bullshit, made to give us the perception of safety, so we keep spending money.

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. I think you're exactly right,

particularly since the Brits, I've read, wanted to make the arrests after days or weeks more investigation, but were pressured to make them when they did by the US - in response to the Dems slapdown of Bushco's war by ousting Lieberman, and the failure of the Israelis to crush Hezbollah. They wanted to say "the enemy is still out there and they're gunna GIT YA! BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!!"

[Caria]

13. 20,000 bags missing at Heathrow

"Meanwhile, British Airways passengers at the UK's busiest airports today faced more flight cancellations as the airline revealed that up to 20,000 bags had gone missing at Heathrow."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1851391,00.html

How many of those missing bags contained laptops, ipods, cameras...?

[electron_blue]

14. how many are missing on a typical day?