Do you feel safer when you fly when they ask you to take off your shoes?

[Citrene]

I sure do?

:sarcasm:

[oblivious]

1. I often ask people who do it without being asked, "Why do you do that?"

"Oh, they seem to like it," they reply.

I can't believe how docile people are.

[vicman]

2. I make sure to use

plenty of Dr. Scholl's foot powder so I leave white sockprints all over the area.

[Divernan]

7. To avoid wasting MY time.

Some of my shoes have enough metal in them to set off the alarm. Some don't. I know which ones I should take off, but the Homeland Security personnel don't. They tend to make everyone take off their shoes(pre-emptive) to keep the lines moving as quickly as possible, and that is my goal too.

By the way, I went through San Juan, PR, two weeks ago and they have a new, 2 phase security. First you step inside this metal archway, about three feet deep and stand on painted footsteps. Then lights flash and air jets shoot at you from both sides, starting at your feet and going up your body.
A light indicator slowly indicates you have been scanned from 360 degrees. Once completed, a gate in front of you opens and you proceed through to the standard open framework metal scanner. I was not about to take the time to ask what the hell this machine was, and whether I was being exposed to xrays, because THAT would have marked me to go through god knows what extra security screening, and the lines were way backed up already.

Anyone seen/know about this 2-step screening?

In answer to the original question, no, I don't feel one damn bit safer. They caught one guy with a shoe bomb, but meanwhile every single commercial flight carries unscreened shipped cargo.

[peacebuzzard]

10. Those machines were discussed post 9/11 but no continental U.S. airport

has them that I know about. Interesting....maybe that was the prototype that was never implemented.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. There's a two-step station at SFO

The United domestic terminal has a system just like the one you described but only a handful of passengers were flagged to use the system. It appeared to be in a testing mode. I believe the air puff gateway is not X-ray or other imaging. From what I overheard it sounds like it's residue measurement system only.


On edit: I didn't answer Citrene's question. Yes, I feel so much safer knowing that athlete's foot isn't as easy to catch as I thought it was.
:P

[BooScout]

3. Oh yes.....

And I really feel safe when they confiscate my Bic:sarcasm:

[radfringe]

4. I was really tempted

to play with some toenail polish - painting the words "bush sucks" on my toenails and removing my socks as well while going through security...

[RC]

5. Most likely you will be singled out for the "Treatment"

[salin]

11. maybe 2 years ago... now I suspect

she'd get evoke some hardy laughs.

[B Calm]

6. Flying out to southern Arizona couple years ago wearing shorts &

sandals. 53 year old white man and I was singled out! Made me take my damn sandals off, how freakin' stupid is that?

[Behind the Aegis]

8. I wear flip-flops.

When I travel by air, I wear flip-flops. Easy off and on.

I hate the security checks, I have almost missed planes because of it. However, that is the world we live in now.

Perhaps you think anyone, no screening, should be allowed on?

What happened to "better safe, than sorry?"

[Solly Mack]

9. Remember back before you had to take your shoes off and planes

blew up all the time in the skies? How horrible it was for everyone? Remember?

I don't either.

[meganmonkey]

14. Bad Solly!

:spank:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I needed that laugh this morning. Thanks hon!

:loveya:

[Solly Mack]

15. My pleasure :o)

:)

[Minnesota Libra]

13. Of course - don't you know all terrorists........

....carry their dirty bombs in their shoes???? :scared: I mean come on here, wise up, Bush himself can tell you terrorists never carry the products of their dirty deeds in suit cases, boxes, railroad cars, or anything large like that. :nuke: It's all about the shoes people!!!!! :sarcasm: