Rising Airline Baggage Fees.
I don’t know about the rest of you out there, but I am sick and tired of airlines continuously finding ways to increase the cost of flying by adding on to user fees, or finding ways to come up with new ones.
It was only a few short years ago that checking in bags was a service, and free. Now, most airlines charge at least $25.00 to check a bag, and even more for international flights. Instead of giving us a discount for checking more then one bag, the charge us even more for a second or third bag. The airlines have decided that this is just one more way they can increase their profits, just like the sir charges for fuel increases.
As for the fuel sir charges, the airlines added them when prices were hovering around $4.00 a gallon, and now that fuel is about $3.00 a gallon, they are raising the fuel sir charges again. I don’t understand the logic.
The silent giant in all of this baggage stuff is the federal government, and the TSA. Since more people have been carrying on bags to avoid the baggage sir charges, the security lines have gotten much longer. It takes more time for the screeners to check all of those big heavy stuffed role on bags then ever before.
The TSA might find it time and cost effective to subsidize the baggage sir charges charged by the airlines. This would also eliminate much of the confusion about what can, and can not be taken on the plane.
Travelers would be able to put questionable items into their checked bags, and not have to give up the perfume, toothpaste, or baby bottles.
Taxes, and sir charges, when does it all stop?
Airport Security and Full Body Scanners
Full body scanners are quickly coming to an airport near you, but are they safe, too intrusive, and what about the data they collect?
Let’s face it, any time you go through any type of xray machine, you are exposed to a little bit of radiation. According to many experts, the amount of exposure received by a single body scan is about one percent of the exposure we get with a dental xray. If you are a frequent flyer or you just happen to work in the food court on the other side of the screening locations, well then, you might eventually light up in the dark.
What about the intrusive nature of the scanners, is our safety worth a look between our legs? I think it is, but the body scanners can’t do cavity searches, and while on one hand that is a relief, that might be the next place the bad guys, and girls put their weapons of mass destruction. What about the screeners sitting in front of the computer screens, viewing our body shapes more intimately then even our closest friends. What if the screener has a criminal past that was not checked, or an ass fetish, what then.
Perhaps my biggest concern is for the potential storage of my body image for future use. Did you know that most of the body scanners that will be used have the capability to store and distribute the images they collect? The government has said that our body images will never be saved and stored, but that could change at any time. It is possible, that eventually our body images will follow us from airport to airport. Could that mean that in the not to distant future I will be stopped if the recognition software detects a new mole on my back, a tattoo on my leg, or a big pimple on my but? How far will we go to protect our safety, our freedom, and our way of life? I say, bring it on, it’s all fine with me. I will draw the line how ever when the TSA begins requiring all passengers to give a urine sample before going through the body image scanners.
Check out these links to learn more about the scanners, and what the government has to say about their use.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/us/13scanners.html
Airport Screening
Going through airline screening is quickly becoming more intrusive, but there are plenty of things you can do to make the process faster and easier.
When you are packing your carry on bags, think security. Pack only what you are prepared to have another person see and possibly examine. Remind yourself to have your liquids in three ounce containers, and placed in a closed plastic bag. Check your identification to be sure it is up to date, and keep it in a place that is easily accessible.
Try to remember that all of the airport and restaurant employees who work on the other side of the screening stations have to go through the process every day. For more information visit the link provided.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm
liquid limitations
