Brits on traveling to the US: more hassle than it’s worth

by Iva Skoch on

Despite the weak dollar, the number of Brits visiting America is down 11% since 9/11. As this blog by The Guardian suggests, traveling to the US is just too much hassle these days.

The author, Ed Vulliamy, who travels frequently between London and the US, sounds quite angry about the whole thing: “And now here comes a new bag of tricks from Washington’s Department of Homeland Security: demanding to be informed of everything about you – by yourself and your government – before you try and buy a ticket, even if you are merely flying over America,” he writes. “Who the hell wants to apply online for permission to visit the US before even buying a ticket? Why should information on a friend or relative pushing a passenger in a wheelchair to the gate at Prestwick be dispatched to the CIA?”

One of his points especially struck me. He says that “the paranoia and war on terror, of which the new travel measures are part – have robbed and abused the emotional power and dignity of New York’s response to al-Qaeda’s murderous visit that morning: the carpets of flowers, the tributes, the missing posters and peace signs. This kind of language, this paranoia and manipulation of what happened has nothing to do with the real best of America. And godammit, that’s why it is still worth braving.”

It is hard to argue with that.

TSA and Delta employees caught smuggling drugs through Atlanta

by Grant Martin on

I wonder if this is going to make it up on the TSA blog?

CBS Atlanta reports that three employees of the Transportation Security Administration and Delta Airlines were recently charged in relation to conspiring and attempting to transport cocaine through Atlanta‘s airport and into New York. Apparently they had a system worked out where the TSA officer would let the smuggler through security without being checked and the Delta employee would transport the contraband.

Little did they know that the DEA was behind the operation and that they would be busted.

That’s not really the point though– anyone foolish enough to attempt smuggling drugs regularly through an airport is going to get caught eventually. The real problem is that the system can be broken with a couple of bad apples. If the TSA keeps hiring idiots like this to run our nation’s security checkpoints, what do they expect to happen? What if they weren’t smuggling drugs but were smuggling bombs?

We need to start screening our security screeners a little bit better.

Airport experiment offers separate security lines for business travelers, families

by Aaron Hotfelder on

The much-maligned Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is experimenting with a new plan at Salt Lake City International Airport designed to take some of the stress out of going through security lines. The program, known as Black Diamond, offers travelers the choice of waiting in security lines labeled “Green,” “Blue,” and “Black Diamond,” borrowing the skiing terminology of the nearby slopes.

The “Green” lane is for passengers who may need extra time going through security, like those with special needs and families. The “Blue” lane is for more frequent travelers with a carry-on bag, and the express “Black Diamond” lane is reserved for business travelers and those who travel regularly. The TSA is careful to note that the levels of security in each line will be the same. (Take that, would-be terrorists!)

This program seems like a good idea for just about everyone involved. Families no longer have to endure the impatient glares of hurried business travelers behind them, and frequent travelers who are all-too-familiar with the oftentimes arduous security process get to zip through the line in a fraction of the usual time.

Of course, it’s impossible to enforce who goes into which line, since travelers evaluate their own level of travel expertise. It’s not hard to imagine families standing in the frequent traveler line (“We take a vacation every year!”), but overall I think the program makes a good deal of sense.

More here.

And read about another of the TSA’s efforts to improve its dismal reputation here.

Airbus to introduce Flying Casino

by Iva Skoch on

I can’t believe nobody has thought of this before. The concept of losing all your money before you even get to Vegas will be a hit.

Las Vegas Sands, the casino operator within the United States and Macau, announced earlier this week that it is hoping to launch VIP charter flights between Hong Kong and Las Vegas featuring baccarat tables in Lockheed Martin planes.

Now, AFP reports that Airbus is actually talking to several of their loyal customers about the possibility of converting their A380 super jumbo jet into a Super Jumbo Flying Casino.

Airbus claims that the first Flying Casino could be delivered as early as 2012, which–let’s face it–in Airbus-speak means 2020. By that time, the dollar will be worth about as much as the Mexican peso. Let’s hope they take frequent flier miles and serve free drinks!

Actress Bai Ling arrested for shoplifting at LAX

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Bai Ling, an actress famous for her work on The Crow and Entourage, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport on shoplifting charges. No, she wasn’t trying to steal a diamond necklace or a digital camera. Apparently, she was charged with stealing two Star Magazines and a pack of batteries, worth a total of $16, from the Crews of LA gift shop. Whatever happened to the days when our actresses had the good sense to steal expensive items?

But actually, Bai Ling’s airport theft sort of makes sense to me. I mean, who wants it to be known that they read Star Magazine?

She was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting and ordered to appear in court on May 5, at which point her name will be legally changed to Steal Ling.

Really have no life? Read the arrest report [pdf]. Then find a hobby.