Stolen passports on missing Malaysian passenger jet

[MADem]

51. Lucky you!

I was on the "Fuck With This One" list during the entire Bush administration.

I fly often enough in a given year, and I never was able to fly after Nahn Wun Wun without getting the full court press. It was psychologically exhausting, it was deliberate, and it never--not even once--failed to happen. If I was flying, I was getting harassed. I'd use my retired military ID card as ID, that didn't make a difference. I was "on the list" and Fuck Me Very Much!

Shortly after Obama took office, I approached the ticket counter to get my ticket (because I could never print out a ticket or get one at a kiosk--that just wasn't "on" for me, so I stopped trying), prepared for the sidelong look, the "Unnnnnnh....wait just a minute...." and then the issuance of the "different" ticket with the huge letters/checkerboard/red coloring/other markings that indicated "CRIMINAL!! DANGEROUS!!! BAAAAD!!!" and was issued my "regular" ticket with ... no bullshit.

I stood there, shocked, for a moment. When you're in "gird your loins" mode and nothing happens, it can be stupefying!

I went through the first level of security, and got "Have a nice day." I thought I'd fallen through the looking glass! When I reached the "Stand By And Get Molested" area, I thought, "Oh, they'll get me here--this is probably just a 'lighter touch' by the new administration," and through I went, without a hitch. No one noticed me, pulled me aside, asked me questions...nothing!

Since then I've started travelling with a carry-on again (I stopped doing it because they'd toss the thing and leave my stuff all over the place, and I could never quickly pack it back properly). I fly more, too. I probably drove a couple of dozen times during the Bush regime when I otherwise would have flown, just because I hated the experience at the gate.

I don't know why I was put on the list (I have suspicions, but I don't "know&quot and I don't know why I was taken off, but I do know that it sucked when I was on it.