"FAA Considering Passenger Ban"

[panzerfaust]

WASHINGTON, DC—Seeking to address "the number-one threat to airline security," the Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday that it will consider banning passengers on all domestic and international commercial flights.

"In every single breach of security in recent years, whether it was an act of terrorism or some other form of crime, it was a passenger who subverted the safety systems on board the aircraft or in the terminal," FAA administrator Marion Blakey said. "Even threats that came in the form of explosives inside baggage were eventually traced back to a ticketed individual. As great a revenue source as they have been, passengers simply represent too great a risk to the airline industry."

Under the proposed reforms, the FAA would institute a strict ban on adult passengers, passengers 18 and under, international travelers, and domestic customers. A battery of questions and ID checks will be used to determine whether an individual is a pilot, flight attendant, or federal security officer—the only humans who will be allowed to board an aircraft flying within or headed for the U.S...

..."We realize that these new regulations would, for many air travelers, be a major inconvenience," Blakey said. "But we feel strongly that it's a small price to pay to ensure the safety of our skies." ...

From America's number one news source

This is a step that has been put off for too long.

[FreakinDJ]

1. The Onion Strikes Again

[Jkid]

2. If it really did happened

The Federal government will have to concentrate on expanding Amtrak to meet the increased demand, and seaships will become resurrected for a modern age. Such a move will effectively put the commercial passenger airlines out of business.

[YOY]

5. and speaking as a long suffering Amtrak worker...they will never do this.

You do know this is the Onion, right?

[Jkid]

6. Yes, I'm fully aware that this is the Onion.

But seriously, do you think that we have enough roads and airplanes in America and that amtrak really needs to expand.

[YOY]

8. Yes I do. Primarily in the HSR department.

Amtrak provides a valuable service and our Acela lines are wonderful. THey tend to be fairly occupied but they need their own dedicated HSR rails. The time/money/resources it takes to fly or take a bus versus a train from DC to NYC or Boston is measurable when one takes into account all expense factors.

[customerserviceguy]

3. Brilliant writing!

It epitomizes the attitude of "treat them all as terrorists" that both the US government and the airlines have towards the people who fly.

[panzerfaust]

7. Bittersüß

The Onion article, though from 2002, was both funny and painful - because it is so close to the mark on how our 'leaders' react.

"The predictable reaction {to NW flight 253 incident} so far has been the announcement of further tightening of security measures on air travellers. It is understandable that politicians and others responsible for passenger safety seek a rapid response. However, we cannot eliminate risk altogether and it is worth pausing to consider whether the benefits of ever-tightening airport security – in terms of deterring terrorists – are outweighed by the dislocation caused to global travel. After all, one of the primary aims of terrorism is to undermine society by sowing maximum fear."

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-the-lessons-of-flight-253-1851476.html

[The_Commonist]

4. Saw that coming!

It was only a matter of time, and I knew just from the headline what the source was.

Of course, this once great-nation of ours has gotten ridiculous enough to actually do something like this...

[phasma ex machina]

9. Problem solved. nt