Airplane Security Update

1. From Deutsche Welle:
"German politicians express caution about new airport security measures"

^For once I have to say that I think the German Government is right on the ball. They do not see a reason to enhance an already tight security at their airports. I guess that if the US Government did what it preached (ie actually use the Watchlists to stop suspected terrorists from boarding planes, etc) then the extra security would not be needed.^

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5061688,00.html

2. From Yahoo News:

"In-flight security rules eased"

^ It seems a little early to consider easing some of the new rules. Now the Federal Government is allowing the pilots of each plane to decide what is alright during the flight. Not sure if that is such a good idea - at least not yet. ^

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091228/ap_on_bi_ge/us_airline_attack_passenger_tolerance

I think that there needs to be an extensive review of many people throughout numerous US and Foreign Agencies.

1st: Any airport that has direct flights to the United States needs to have the same security standards - so that flying from an airport in Africa to the US is just as safe as flying from an airport in Canada to the US. This includes an extensive check on all airport and airline employees.

2nd: All the people who deal with all the different Watchlists need to be retrained and any that do not fit the correct mode (ie those that lack the intelligence to see a suspected threat and not do anything about it) should be fired immediately.

3rd: Along the same lines as #2, the State Department (more specifically the Consular Affairs Section) needs to have it's people retrained and any that do not fit the correct mode (ie those that see a person on a government Watchlist and still keep that person's American Visa valid) should be fired immediately.

4th: The TSA needs to be retrained (while they weren't personally involved in this incident they have failed many other times thus showing their ineffectiveness.)

5th: The Director of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, should be fired from her position. It is clear from the interviews she gives that she has no idea what she is doing. The fact that she tried to cover-up her comment (the one where she said that everything on December 25th went according to plan/training) by saying she was mis-quoted just shows how unintelligent she truly is. She needs to realize that many sections of her Department failed on Dec. 25th and that the only reason things happened the way they did (ie the plane didn't explode) is because the Nigerian terrorist was stupid and the quick-thinking passengers on the plane.

Americans and foreingers flying into, through or out of the United States should not feel safe flying until the above organizations and people have been either retrained or removed from their positions. Unfortuately, most ordinary people can not think for themselves and just trust that the airlines, airports and Government agencies are doing thier jobs and keeping us safe. I really wish it didn't take an act or violence or an attempt of violence for people to wake up and question what others have been saying needs to be fixed for years.

While I may not agree with some of the rules or question my safety I do believe that you should follow all instructions you are given (by the airlines, TSA, etc) and if you feel something was wrong or you were treated badly you should take names and file official complaints.