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07/26/2007: "And You Think You Have Stupid Relatives ..."

I travel quite a bit for business, and I don't mind. The change is nice, and I actually enjoy flying - at least the flying part.

The process of catching a commercial flight has changed quite a bit since 2001. Beyond the lack of empty seats on flights anymore, the whole screening process is really a pain. And yet, as we saw earlier this week when the whole "blocks of cheese" thing was announced by the TSA, there's still the potential for mayhem in the skies.

It would be bad enough if there weren't self-centered assholes who thing the whole world waits to serve them. Our latest example? A guy who wanted to fly out of SEA-TAC last night to Memphis but missed his flight. Now, I'd have made damn sure I was there on time, but even if I wasn't, I'd just suck it up and work with the airline to find another flight. Not this jackhole. He walks up to the counter and tells them there's a bomb on the plane.

All things being as they are, the flight, which was now six miles away from the airport, was forced to return to Seattle and the passengers deplaned for rescreening. Several hours later, they were on their way - no doubt with nothing but good thoughts for their would-be co-passenger. The airport itself was forced to close a runway and route flights elsewhere for several hours - more happy passengers!

Oh, and the guy who started it all? He never did make it to Memphis, but he's now a guest of the Federal government - and will be for some time.

Frankly, I think they should go ahead and send him to Memphis - in the wheelwell of his flight ...

Replies: 6 Comments

On Thursday, July 26th, I always carry a disabled_bomb cos I know the odds said:

I think he qualifies for a "sub - Darwin award" because hopefully he won't get a chance to breed while a guest of the federal government.

He is not nearly as much fun as the helium balloons and garden chair non-Darwin-Award-winner of a week or two ago . . . . and maybe even more stupid - did he actually think he'd be in with a chance of getting on the returned plane ? Surely not !

On Thursday, July 26th, MarlinNut said:

After I made this entry, I ran into a flight crew at breakfast who had tried to fly from Spokane to Seattle last night. They got 2/3 of the way to SEATAC before being turned around, forced to circle over Spokane for an hour and then told to finish their flight to Seattle. They were not amused ...

On Thursday, July 26th, 3of4 said:

I jus want my efn chap stic back. Bugga took it out my carry on cuz it wasn't in a clear baggy. WTF. It looked brand new cuz it was. Finally I told him I use it on my himroids. I know that focker wanted it.

On Friday, July 27th, Rav_dont_get_me_started_Tan said:

You do get the feeling these extra security precautions area gift to "jobsworth"s

If the chapstick was not in the clear baggy he / she should have had a few words with you to make sure it was an oversight and not an attempt to hide a bomb-part from their view.
If there is any doubt they should have had a longer chat with you or confiscated the lot (baggy included). If not then they should have let you keep it - after all, the clear baggy idea is just to let them find and see it easier.

I guess the confiscation is to save time asking you questions . . . and that's not a secure idea -just a "jobsworth" convenient (to them - oh, ALL RIGHT...and to other passengers) one.

Meanwhile they always seem to be one step behind the threats . . . take shoes off AFTER first shoe bomber caught; baggy for liquids AFTER finding out about plot; block roads within 50yards of passenger entrance AFTER idiot tries to crash jeep full of propane gas & gasoline thru revolving door.

Ho Hum !

On Friday, July 27th, MarlinNut said:

>Meanwhile they always seem to be one step behind the threats . . . take shoes off AFTER first shoe bomber caught; baggy for liquids AFTER finding out about plot; block roads within 50yards of passenger entrance AFTER idiot tries to crash jeep full of propane gas & gasoline thru revolving door.

That's because if you tried to implement the restrictions before it happens, everyone would complain about the limitations to personal freedom - and then would complain that you didn't do enough to protect them afterward! F'em all ...

On Friday, July 27th, 3 of 4 said:

Even Travolta is havin trouble and he bought his own friggen plane!