Security Breach -- The feds say it's time for Santa Fe's airport to get its act together, or else

[TexasTowelie]

The fine is no small matter. Potentially, the Transportation Security Administration could charge the city more than $13,000 a day.

The real hammer, though, is the category downgrade. If the TSA follows through with its recent threats and Santa Fe's airport loses its Category III status, it risks losing the 60-plus-seat jets that American and United Airlines use for commercial flights in and out of the regional airport.

City Councilor Mike Harris doesn't expect that to happen. Nor does Nick Schiavo, the longtime city hand currently acting as airport manager. That is, if Santa Fe's governing body changes city law to ensure it doesn't.

At next Wednesday's City Council meeting, Harris plans to carry a bill that would make a number of changes to Santa Fe's airport ordinance. Harris says the move will modernize language and expectations for airport operations and commercial service that haven't been updated since the mid-1980's.

Read more: https://www.sfreporter.com/news/2018/05/25/security-breach/

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Haven't seen that report.

I live in Santa Fe, and I'm extremely grateful that we have scheduled airline service here. I live maybe three miles from the airport -- I could practically walk there -- and it's vastly more convenient than Albuquerque, at least 45 minutes driving time away.

The TSA are idiots.

I'm a former airline employee. I went to work at DCA (Washington National Airport) in 1969 as a ticket agent for an airline that (like too many others) no longer exists. We had no security then. If someone wanted to go out on the ramp to photograph airplanes, we'd let them. Then there was the rash of hijackings, and the beginnings of security. It is incredibly important to understand that the security measures came about only to stop the hijackings. And they did. Yeah, really, they did.

Then came 9/11, and everyone freaked out. Inappropriately, if you ask me. Strict security measures were enacted, including things like No nail clippers (really? Have you taken a close look at nail clippers? Explain to me, preferably with diagrams, how in the world you'd use them to take over an airplane), knitting needles (do you know any knitters? If not, go to a local yarn shop and make the acquaintance of some. You'll learn that knitters are the nicest, kindest people in the world. And, quite frankly, you'd want a knitter on your flight if some idiot tries to hijack it), embroidery scissors (have you taken a close look at embroidery scissors? Yes, they are rather sharp, but they're SMALL, maybe two inches in length. Assuming your victim would actually hold still, it would probably take at least 45 minutes to inflict enough damage to slow down someone.). Which simply proves that the TSA and most security measures are at best total bullshit.

Instead of air marshals, put specially trained middle-aged women on flights who knit. Have them sitting peacefully, knitting, and if something happens, POW! Trust me, that would put a quicker end to hijacking than anything else.

Oh, and taking off my shoes? Really? Didn't your mother ever tell you NOT to walk barefoot in public places? She should have.

The TSA is run by idiots who know nothing.

A week from today my son is flying here from the DC area. I told him not to even look at fares to ABQ, because I wasn't going to drive there.

Did I mention that I think the TSA is run by idiots?

[TexasTowelie]

2. The last time that I flew was in January 2002

from DFW to West Palm Beach for business. Needless to say, security searched me thoroughly before I boarded the planes. Twice while at DFW and three times while at WPB. Considering that I was already in a secure area after the first search I can only guess that the officers were attracted to me since I was dressed in a suit and tie and looking my sharpest!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. That soon after 9/11 security was crazy.

My first flight after 9/11 was probably in October, as I was flying to visit my son in college for the parent weekend.

As I said above, as a former airline employee I understand security and have zero respect for the TSA. I have flown maybe ten times since then. I try to avoid flying, again because I don't want to put up with the bullshit of the TSA. I'm willing to drive a very long distance, and as it happens, since I live in Santa Fe, NM, it's highly inconvenient to fly a medium distance. Such as when I visit family in the Kansas City area. It would probably take me nearly as long to fly, what with a connection and the need to get to the airport ludicrously early, than it is to drive. When I'm going to Kansas City from here, I could do it in one long day of driving, but since I'm retired and have more time, I prefer to break up the trip and spend the night in a motel en route. Plus, I have my car with me when I arrive. Win win, I think.

My other somewhat dirty dark secret is that I almost always book first class when I'm flying. I've learned that if I book far enough ahead I can get what I consider a decent price, one that I'm willing to pay. No, it's not as cheap as coach, but I get priority boarding, my luggage gets to baggage claim faster, and I'm not crammed into a middle seat in the cattle car. I also get the bypass, or whatever it's called that allows me to skip part of the security thing. I don't have to take off my shoes (really, what is THAT about?) and I make it through security very quickly. Plus, as a consumer of alcohol, I do quite well.

Several years ago I was flying back from Portland, OR and had booked a coach seat. At the boarding gate, shortly before the flight was to be boarded, the gate agent said there was a first class seat available for a mere fifty bucks. I immediately went to the agent and said, I'll take that seat. It was well worth it. And since then, when I've flown, which isn't all that often, I book first class. I've decided that I'm not flying that often, so I can afford it.