I have actually seen these guys at OSD before. It was a WTF moment, becasue they did nothing and didn't even have drug dogs. Wasteful federal spending. If they actually want a dog to make 1 walk down the train, that's fine with me actually. I just don't like pointlessness.
I did see the Amtrak Police K-9 unit at LOR on the Sat. of Memorial Day Weekend, but that's the only time so far in 7 round trips. And that's fine. As long as it's just the dog sniffing around, that's perfectly fine. If they start to get into mandatory "Kabuki Theater" there with the TSA, then we will have issues. <_< :angry:
What happens if someone chooses to stash some drugs in your belongings? Maybe you can reason with the dog. Should be easier than reasoning with the TSA at any rate. Even as a "first time offender" you're looking at some serious changes to your lifestyle and employment. Until drugs are legalized there is plenty to be worried about, even for those of us who have no interest in them.
I believe the dogs are more geared towards explosive materials than drugs. But what happens then if someone stashed an explosive device in your bags?
Touche.I believe the dogs are more geared towards explosive materials than drugs. But what happens then if someone stashed an explosive device in your bags?
I'm still waiting for my first rail holiday ( 2 months ) so I don't have a good idea of the layout yet. I'm no Angel, I was young once and consider myself open minded and I would prefer to smell weed rather than cigarettes...... but don't you think the odor would attrack some attention and complaints? I thought it would be like smoking on an plane. Bet the snack bar does well.......
Not like smoking on a plane - because the spaces aren't pressurized and shared throughout. The lower level on some Superliner coaches has no passenger seats so smokers of anything sometimes hang out there on LD trains and sometimes even crack the window (which can get them "involuntarily detrained"). But this doesn't happen often in my limited experience. Smelled weed once in the 80's on a Northwest Coast LD train. Smelled tobacco smoke once or twice since then.I'm still waiting for my first rail holiday ( 2 months ) so I don't have a good idea of the layout yet. I'm no Angel, I was young once and consider myself open minded and I would prefer to smell weed rather than cigarettes...... but don't you think the odor would attrack some attention and complaints? I thought it would be like smoking on an plane. Bet the snack bar does well.......
I think the point to having TSA at airports and other places is deterrence much more than actually "capturing" someone. You may disagree whether their presence is a deterrent or not, but you are setting up a false target in asserting that they fail in their mission because they don't "catch" a lot of people. We will never know how many people have been deterred/discouraged from trying to bring a weapon or similar on board an airplane because of the TSA presence. While the security process is discouraging at times because of long lines, etc. I think it is far better now than prior to 9-11.Not like smoking on a plane - because the spaces aren't pressurized and shared throughout. The lower level on some Superliner coaches has no passenger seats so smokers of anything sometimes hang out there on LD trains and sometimes even crack the window (which can get them "involuntarily detrained"). But this doesn't happen often in my limited experience. Smelled weed once in the 80's on a Northwest Coast LD train. Smelled tobacco smoke once or twice since then.I'm still waiting for my first rail holiday ( 2 months ) so I don't have a good idea of the layout yet. I'm no Angel, I was young once and consider myself open minded and I would prefer to smell weed rather than cigarettes...... but don't you think the odor would attrack some attention and complaints? I thought it would be like smoking on an plane. Bet the snack bar does well.......
The point I was trying to make was -- that for the Homeland Security -- searching for really unlikely minor threats is no danger to them - so that's what they will choose to do. And that major threats happen so rarely - like once in a few billion or trillion passenger boardings - that Homeland Security will never catch such a threat in a thousand lifetimes of doing what they do.
Deterrence at airports makes some kind of sense -- deterrence at trains or buses makes a lot less senseI think the point to having TSA at airports and other places is deterrence much more than actually "capturing" someone. You may disagree whether their presence is a deterrent or not, but you are setting up a false target in asserting that they fail in their mission because they don't "catch" a lot of people. We will never know how many people have been deterred/discouraged from trying to bring a weapon or similar on board an airplane because of the TSA presence. While the security process is discouraging at times because of long lines, etc. I think it is far better now than prior to 9-11.Not like smoking on a plane - because the spaces aren't pressurized and shared throughout. The lower level on some Superliner coaches has no passenger seats so smokers of anything sometimes hang out there on LD trains and sometimes even crack the window (which can get them "involuntarily detrained"). But this doesn't happen often in my limited experience. Smelled weed once in the 80's on a Northwest Coast LD train. Smelled tobacco smoke once or twice since then.I'm still waiting for my first rail holiday ( 2 months ) so I don't have a good idea of the layout yet. I'm no Angel, I was young once and consider myself open minded and I would prefer to smell weed rather than cigarettes...... but don't you think the odor would attrack some attention and complaints? I thought it would be like smoking on an plane. Bet the snack bar does well.......
The point I was trying to make was -- that for the Homeland Security -- searching for really unlikely minor threats is no danger to them - so that's what they will choose to do. And that major threats happen so rarely - like once in a few billion or trillion passenger boardings - that Homeland Security will never catch such a threat in a thousand lifetimes of doing what they do.
I'm sorry but your story about charters is one of these urban myths that won't go away. Charter companies must submit to the same passenger computer checks that major airlines do.While what you are saying is true, guest, if someone was determined enough to do something like that, they can even more easily. All they have to do is go to a small airport, charter a jet and then fly wherever they want. Small airports do not have the "Security Theater" for private aircraft.
Did you ever wonder why you don't see many celebrities in major airports?Many fly out of some the smaller airports in private or chartered aircraft to avoid the "TSA Theater". This is also the main reason I hardly fly anymore! The only people inconvenienced are the law abiding passengers!
overacting ?
Easy for you to say... I travel mostly for my diving. Which means I have to bring a lot of expensive equipment with me, most of which I have to carry on board.
A very minor point, but that's not always an indicator of someone's "religion."
For example, I was born in a military hospital, where, at the time, it was done as a matter of policy for "hygiene" reasons.
I am AN/DP & "full cave." I'm not handing over my X1 to the swabbies! I once (in my rec days
) had to get a UK HID Pistol grip light (with the trigger lock) past the Kabuki Thespians. The trigger was locked. He was pushing the trigger to no avail. When I tried to reach over to show him, he ordered, "STAND BACK, NOW!" I responded back, "YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK IT! YOU DON"T KNOW HOW TO DO IT!" You could cut the tension with a knife. He got very huffy. He left the area and went over to the supervisor's desk. A few moments later, he returned with the unit, apparently unscathed, and both of us a lot calmer. We did exchange pleasantries thereafter.... a "no hard feelings" sort of thing.
I have Aspergers and I hate it but for more sad reasons .
