High Speed Rail: IMHO, TSA will search passengers the same way as the airports

[Cronus Protagonist]

You betcha.

[liberal N proud]

1. No reason to

If a terrorist wants to blow up a train, they can do it without getting on the train. Unlike aircraft, the train travels on the ground across unprotected land.

Trains can't be hijacked and flown into building either. Yes I remember the movie Silver Streak.

Europe has no security checks getting on trains. There is no security getting on any train in the US or Subways.

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. Really? 'cos I've seen the Feds come into a carriage and remove somone

Maybe it's not so noticeable, but they're there. Good point about blowing up the tracks, but the inspections won't be for bombs, but for aerosolized weapons and biohazards. In any case, they will be one threat away from having the same treatment as airplanes.

[liberal N proud]

8. But no security check points like you do with air travel

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

4. Europe most certainly does have security checks to get on trains

Granted Eurostar can't draw on the same pool of authoritarian human garbage the TSA recruits from but yes, most European high-speed rail routes have airport style security. And the TSA will pop up anywhere in the US they feel like - I encountered them on the San Diego trolley.

[liberal N proud]

7. I rode the TGV last year and did not have to submit to security check

Left Paris for Geneva without one check of my bags.

[JCMach1]

9. Exactly... I never once had to do that on European railways...

Even in the UK directly after the Tube attacks.

[golfguru]

5. Fighting terrorists by micro-managing security is dumb

In a large country such as ours with freedom of movement and commerce,
it is plain stupid to spend Billions on TSA type security. The terrorists
can blow up bridges during rush hour, shopping malls, large hotels, million
miles of railroad tracks, etc. anytime.

SO how many Billions do we need to take from social programs to do security?
Obviously it is the wrong method, expensive method and just what the terrorists
want us to bleed our resources on.

There is only one method which is best to fight terrorism. It is also the
cheapest. We have access to this method, while most European countries do not.

[amandabeech]

10. Random bag checks have started at randomly selected DC Metro subway

entrances.

Whether the situation is permanent or not, it has been done.

[wryter2000]

3. We already have high speed trains

On the east coast. Called Acela. I'm not aware people get screened to get on that.

[Ian David]

6. Here what they do is they pick one station at a time to be secure.

So, if you're carrying drugs or a bomb, you need to get on the train at a different station to avoid having your bag searched.

[vaberella]

11. I might be the only one...but I'm not against having my items searched.

It's a hassle..yes, but shit. I'd like to live to see another flight. There are dangers a lot. People are taking knives and guns on planes. When they do...well..I'd like to know why.

[phleshdef]

12. Then why isn't that happening with the high speed rail that WE ALL READY HAVE.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

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[lunatica]

14. The Security Industry will grow exponentially and we'll all have jobs

patting each other down.

[saras]

15. It's not about security, it's about economics

It's about selling scanners, and giving more jobs to security goons.

So yes, I expect that they will be there soon enough.

Besides, what better way to ensure that rail travel doesn't catch on?