Don't know when I'll be back again
Aug. 11th, 2006 11:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cyranoJust a quick note, here, as I'm seeing a lot of discussion on my flist about the new security measures at airports.
Airlines !== TSA
In fact, I would say that at base there is an antagonistic relationship between the two, because every new layer of security that the TSA establishes means fewer passengers, crankier passengers, and more difficulty getting to passengers, who then demand lower ticket prices in exchange for their inconvenience.
Yes, the airlines certainly can take steps (ones which cut into their already pretty thin baseline) to accomodate people who have been inconvenienced by the new security measures. But they're not the ones telling you to throw out your water bottle so that a third party can then charge you $5 for a replacement inside security.
(When Andale's or Boudin's sells you an overpriced meal, I as an airline employee do not in fact see any of that profit in my paycheck.)
Airlines already do enough stupid things and make enough arbitrary decisions that we don't need to add this in order to prove that they do stupid or arbitrary things. This has been your pedantic moment for the day.
Airlines !== TSA
In fact, I would say that at base there is an antagonistic relationship between the two, because every new layer of security that the TSA establishes means fewer passengers, crankier passengers, and more difficulty getting to passengers, who then demand lower ticket prices in exchange for their inconvenience.
Yes, the airlines certainly can take steps (ones which cut into their already pretty thin baseline) to accomodate people who have been inconvenienced by the new security measures. But they're not the ones telling you to throw out your water bottle so that a third party can then charge you $5 for a replacement inside security.
(When Andale's or Boudin's sells you an overpriced meal, I as an airline employee do not in fact see any of that profit in my paycheck.)
Airlines already do enough stupid things and make enough arbitrary decisions that we don't need to add this in order to prove that they do stupid or arbitrary things. This has been your pedantic moment for the day.
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no subject
Date: 2006-08-11 06:31 pm (UTC)But maybe I'm just feeling cynical about the whole thing cuz I know too much about how stuff works from you and
no subject
Date: 2006-08-11 06:59 pm (UTC)I will also say that there's a certain... attraction to being able to point to somebody you don't like or resent and say "Look at this stupid thing they're doing because they're stupid." Which, if you're naturally predisposed to believe somebody's stupid, you're less likely to fact check.
I'm just glad I'm not trying to fly anywhere until next weekend. By which time I'm hoping things have settled enough that there's a system in place and things are smooth, if still stupid.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-11 08:38 pm (UTC)I wouldn't count on that. Permanent rules (stupid or no) will come as a result of reverse engineering exactly what was planned. This will involve not-so-legal, and likely time consuming, processes inflicted on the arestees. Plus the rule changes have to percolate through the not-so-great mental processes of the American Public. Given that there appear to be different rules depending on destination, I would anticipate low to mid-level chaos for awhile yet.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-11 10:23 pm (UTC)The handle on the microwave broke off completely this morning and so I tagged our property management guy with an 'Urgent' voice mail. If there's no message on our machine when you get home, can you call the office and ask if he still works there?