Beyoncé's Travel Comfort Changes Course of National Security
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) announced that they are going to ease up on security measures for celebrities at the airport. Well, well—it seems that exclusive clubs and restaurants aren't the only places that will pull aside the velvet rope for celebs and give them special treatment. Is this unfair?
Perhaps, but it is a more realistic approach to airport security. Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Homeland Security Transportation Subcommittee, said: "There are certain people that are just so well-known that you've just got to use your common sense. Because if you start patting them down, people are going to say, 'They're patting down Beyoncé.' I mean, she's not going to blow a plane up." He has a point, but it would be comical to watch her go through that awkward x-ray machine with her arms up and try to stay posh at the same time.
The TSA might also "want to stop patting down recognizable passengers such as former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger," say sources. They are attempting to repair their poor customer service image in response to the public's ongoing frustration. Administrator John Pistole said they have already implemented screening methods for older passengers that are less intrusive (travelers 75 and older may now leave their shoes and coats on when they go through security).
The TSA said they have gotten complaints from people of being treated in an unprofessional manner. Americans are "disgusted and outraged with the department that they see as bloated and inefficient," said Rogers. Some people say they are even flying less because they don't even want to deal with the hassle of going through security.
SOURCE
People will call this treatment unfair, consider two points. (1) TSA screening guidelines are developed to deal with a large volume of people that are not well known - in this specific instance, how necessary in the in-depth screening (although I believe some level of searching is necessary, regardless)? (2) How will they determine that someone is well known enough to have relaxed or no screening?
Edited at 2012-06-10 02:45 am (UTC)
democrat or republican or liberatarion, this SHOULD infuriate you beyond words.
an 95 year old with Alzheimer's and chronic pain still has to go thru the pat-down and checkups but not Beyonce Knowles???
how is that fair any way you look at it?
Edited at 2012-06-10 03:31 am (UTC)
It was simultaneously funny and horrifying.
Unless Blue Ivy smuggles a bomb onto a plane, o shi.
And the point is, no one should get preferential treatment. Everyone goes through security for a reason (even though I think those boxy radiation Xray machines are worthless pieces of shit and are invasive of our personal privacy). I think certain protocols are a little ridiculous (the caps on the amounts of liquids, stuff like that). That being said, no one is going to force you into getting a pat down. If you say, "I'm uncomfortable with this" you can pull your clothing tightly to reveal that you don't have anything on you. I know, because as a sexual assault victim I didn't want anyone touching me so they let me do this because I was about to have a panic attack at the thought of someone touching me.
I just don't think a celebrity should be exempt simply because the public has a perception of them that they deem is safe. How does that equate to a known fact that they are a safe person?
or someone fakes being them
they should get the same treatment
Edited at 2012-06-10 02:44 am (UTC)
Then one time we were out sitting in a car in a restaurant parking lot and he walked over to a convenience store to get something and were planning to go in the restaurant after. He came back and opened whatever he bought and SOME RANDOM POLICE OFFICER CAME OVER TO THE CAR, TAPPED ON THE GLASS, AND WAS LIKE "Ma'am can I talk to you a minute?" And I'm like "uhhhh sure..." and he's like "I know you've been crying, did he hurt you?" and I'm like WTF!!!!!!!!!! Umm no crying, no arguing, no hitting, nothing. I was just being a normal person sitting in a car reading a book?? Who the fuck DOES that? I mean, is it THAT hard to accept a little blonde girl is dating someone with tan skin? What in the actual fuck. Surreal moment to be honest.
Then I was thinking back to his story this one time that I lost my license in Vegas and realized 20 minutes before I had to be at the Vegas airport. They let me on, through security, through EVERYTHING without even giving me a second look when I had no proof at all that I was the person on the ticket. That shocked me again.
In England they're nice enough, I mean, it's fucking annoying now-- after so many times I've lost count, but at least they're civil 95% of the time.
The looks you get from everyone else in line digging a hole in the back of your neck while you're trying to talk to two men in uniforms as they note down everything you say and flicking through your phone while you're standing like an idiot juggling your belt, shoes, wallet and headphones is a dick though. @_@;
I've also noticed their entire demeanour shifts once I open my mouth and they hear this fluent, friendly, American accent coming out of this brown 20 something year old with facial hair travelling alone. They're so much more friendly all of a sudden. It rubs me the wrong way.
sis u sure u weren't dreaming, cuz..
I know it seems like I was being hypersensitive but the fact that he swooped on me the minute my boyfriend was gone and his mannerisms were extremely unnerving, and it felt as though he thought that I was in some kind of bad situation that I needed help from.
My mom and I cover our faces and have to have our IDs checked which is fine but they also insist on doing pat downs and some places they haven't even wanted to take us to a more private place to check our faces :/
It's horrible when you're pulled aside and everyone is side-eying you, isn't it?
I haven't had it that bad, but there was one time that I was on a school trip and everyone was pulled aside except for the all-American chaperone and one student (who is actually Jewish, but does not look ethnic in the slightest). Our chaperone tried to joke about it, but it fell flat. :\
But there was a Sikh boy I knew who had to bring his passport to the airport regardless of whether he was flying domestic or international.
Edited at 2012-06-10 02:44 am (UTC)
Edited at 2012-06-10 02:55 am (UTC)
Edited at 2012-06-10 03:01 am (UTC)
At least that's what would happen in the movies.
UGH.