Uncle Rocky

My uncle was Rocky Pomerance -- the late, great and legendary former Police Chief of Miami Beach. Rocky rose to become the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (basically the “top cop” of the world) – largely due to his brilliance in keeping the presidential conventions peaceful in 1968 and 1972. He became one of the top private security experts in the world.

Every time I travel these days, I think about how much I’d love to talk with my Uncle Rocky about airport security. Rocky used to deride private condominium security as a farce – and I’ve thought of him so many times when I’ve walked or driven past security guards with a confident stride and a friendly wave. 

However, in a post 9-11 world, airport security shouldn’t be like a condo in Miami Beach – and today’s security farce isn’t at all funny.

It is maddening to realize that long lines are partly created in order for barely-trained (still private airline employees) to review boarding passes and ID cards (that can both be easily forged by someone with the right software and a laser printer).  Despite the fact that Senator Schumer pointed this absurdity out in 2005, a P.h.D. candidate in Indiana may face criminal charges for calling out the same loophole.

This whole business about liquids and gels is also ridiculous. On a flight up to San Francisco this week, my toothpaste was allowed. On the flight back, the same tube was confiscated. I realize that the planned plane bombings in Europe using carry-on liquids were scary – but how can the TSA be so reactive? Didn’t anyone think about this risk BEFORE the news broke the story? Wasn’t the whole point of having a well-funded Federal Agency -- was to have these people think in advance of the terrorists?  It drives me crazy to think about how poorly these people must think. When the terrorists used one-way tickets on 9-11, the TSA started specially screening one-way passengers. As if modern-day terrorists wouldn’t now know to buy a round-trip ticket!

Unlike my uncle Rocky, I don’t know how real airport security should work. However, I’ve read enough to believe that it would likely entail having smart people reviewing passengers in line – well-trained people who can detect passengers under duress. It would also likely take an intelligent database, perhaps some facial recognition software – not a foolish list that ensnared Senator Kennedy  more than once while flying!

Today’s airport security measures are like Manhattan office buildings that require visitors to show identification, sign-in, and then proceed unguided in the building! It’s not security – it’s a farce.  I was down in Miami Beach a few months ago, and sadly -- condo security is looking comparatively intelligent compared to the airport!

 

Comments

[Tyson]

I can say that security methods, however ineffective, are in the voters face daily, and therefore voters can't say that the government isn't trying. I think the fact that it isn't secure is irrelevant to policymakers; it is the illusion of security that is important to them.

My 2 cents on the best practical response to 911 would be to take advantage of the Flight Management Systems, auto-land capabilities, and real-time ATC messaging (with FMS integration) that already exists in most airliners and corporate jets. If a pilot were to define a "safe" airport before each flight, and have a button in the cockpit which, if pressed, flys the plane to and lands at that airport, without the possibility to override, then the only risk is that the terrorist blows up the plane. At least they can't take control of it. This is possible with technology that exists today, right now, that is installed in almost every passenger airplane.

The two issues with this solution seem to be political impacts, such as the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) worrying about the technology making airline pilots obsolete, and that the solution would not be continually in the face of Joe American Voter and therefore the constituency would get the sense that little is being done.

All in all, "Be wary of enlightenment" as someone once told me. You'd better be a fan of frustration if you want to bear this truth.

[PermissionToGrieve]

In the past 18 months I've been on approximately 20 flight, most of which were international.

During the last flight from JFK to Charles de Gaulle I brought on the requisite ziplock with my liquids that no one checked. In addition, I was tired and forgot to take my laptop out of my carryon, and so, my laptop went through the xray machine without detection.

the only place I have seen good security is at Heathrow.

Standing on the lines in different US cities I look at the faces of the people responsible for our security. They are usually bored or gossiping. They remind me of supermarket clerks in NYC pushing my groceries on the conveyor belt.

Ah, but now, if you want to give out personal information you can go through an "ez pass" line at JFK.

hmmmm.

[peter edwards]

looking for nephew or niece of Rocky Pomerance