FAA and airlines still haven’t figured out this security thing. A truly fresh and complete approach is necessary. It seems that guns and letter openers and fingernail clippers and other dangerous stuff is getting through the already stiff security. This security cannot work… a new approach is needed.

Well, here is my solution to this problem. I ask that you look at the merits and consider the cost and convenience before looking for any negative side. Passengers would adapt quickly and soon come to accept this until aircraft are designed to make this unnecessary. (Air Security – Part 3 - Passengers pods).

WE HAVE SOLVED THE AIRLINE SECURITY PROBLEM AND WE CAN STILL FLY

Passengers only need to report to the airport 2 hours before flight time (to start) and, at a later date, only 1 hour early should do it.

Let me put this “in the first person” and explain how easy I found it.

I had purchased my ticket the night before on the Internet, so no visit to the ticket booth would be necessary. I arrived at the terminal about 2 hours before my 10AM flight. The first thing that I noticed was that much of that lobby space was now occupied by row after row of dressing rooms. Also, there were several large vending machines. I approached the nearest machine and read the rather simple instructions,“Enter your ticket number”. It is a rather long alpha-numeric string but I had printed out my confirmation and there is a bar code at the bottom of the page. This number was tied to all those in my group. Well, I’m alone, so this just points to me only and I let the scanner see the bar code. I’ve traveled before so the database knows that I need size Large Expendable Flight Suit and size 9 cardboard slippers. All this came in a package and had been produced quickly and cheaply in China. Of course, it is fireproof. I’m healthy and able so I got a white suit. Other colors are reserved for special needs people. They would be lightly tinted. It is now 8:04AM

I take my luggage and flight suit to the first open dressing room and enter, close and lock the door. After adjusting the mood music, I begin to undress. I open my flight package and first pull out the 3 heavy-duty plastic bags. These three bags have bar codes that link them if they should become separated. I place my shoes in one and my clothes in another after I have placed my billfold, flight ticket, and passport in the windowed pocket on the left breast of the flight suit. I never put anything metal or unauthorized in my billfold so I don’t need to check it. I put these first two bags and anything else that I forgot into the third bag. In my flight suit pack were also 3 baggage tags printed with the Origin ID (BNA) … and destination… and a unique bar code for each tag. Now, I know that I’m allowed 3 bags, but I got it all in one so I put all 3 tags on this bag. (we must account for all tags). I place the bag and cloth bag through the door on the side of the dressing room. They fall onto a conveyor running between the dressing rooms and head for the holding/sorting area. Their bar codes scanned as they move on their way. It is now 8:16 as I leave the dressing room in my white flight suit, and head for the concourse of my departing flight. Most everyone around me looks clean and fresh in their crisp new white suits.

I arrive on the C Concourse about 8:27AM after a carefree and relaxing walk. I notice several passengers in light blue being driven to their departure gate in electric carts. The cart dispatch supervisor knew of these ‘special needs’ as the customer picked up their flight suit. I walk to the very short security line and have less than a 2-minute wait to station 1. As the control light changes to green, I step through the first scanner that looks for “ANY” metal and scans the bar code on my right shoulder. At least 1 digital photo is also taken. The friendly “tweedledee” sound greets me as I step through “door number 1”. The light changes to green and I step through the next arch. Here my passport ident-o-chip is read and the coding on my ticket. My “smartcard” VISA card responded and so did my driver’s license. Well, the ticket didn’t read, so the computer voice required that I scan my ticket optically as I left “door number 2”. Having done this, and the next light having turned green, I step into the next arch and stop as the machine instructed me. Now, I could be x-rayed or sniffed or whatever before being given the next green light. It is now 8:35AM.

The only manpower at this station is several security specialists who are monitoring the people, machines and each other. I was told that having successfully passed though “the third degree”, that my baggage was now given a destination (read from my ticket) and was proceeding to the departure gate holding area. It should get there long before I do. All the data gathered at the arches was given to airport security and checked against history, bulletins, profile and other software we are still experimenting with. Yes, big brother has a lot of data and is storing it. SO WHAT. It is not necessary, under the law, to have identification to travel, so if a passenger had only a ticket… no credit card, no passport, no drivers license, there would be no reason to refuse transportation. The reasons for ID are now moot as safety is guaranteed by being void of all implements. An interesting case for civil rights but citizens should have the right to travel … if they are citizens. Enough of this… It is 8:36AM as I wander on to C-23. I knew I would probably have plenty of time to eat, so I stop at the restaurant and have breakfast. Here is a major change… it is edible and fairly priced, serves the food quickly and is run by a capable vendor using fresh food. I pay with credit card as no metal money is allowed. As I get to the gate at about 9:20AM, I realized that I am much too early. WOW… and the plane is ‘on time’. Maybe they used my ATC suggestions. Oh well, that in another story.

I check in anyway and am scanned, greeted and asked about any special needs or wants. Yes, I’d like kosher even though I am gentile. A couple of keys are pressed, another smile and a puff of orange ink (for my flight) is applied on my right shoulder. The computer matches the flight to the color, the agent need only hold the wand and push the button. It is 9:22AM and the flight is still on time. The display board has advised that the arrival will block in at 9:28AM. Inbound passengers are now segregated from the departure holding area and flow smoothly down the walkway to their dressing area near the baggage retrieval area. The display board now indicated that the flight is “closed out”…. Meaning that no more passengers will be accepted. Also, we are assured that all bags and sacks are accounted for and are in the carts heading for the plane. We can now board as the flight is called. Each airline has some latitude in how this is done. Let me tell you, it is a real pleasure to walk down a jet way without being jostled. Since I’m on Delta, my seat was selected and assigned as I purchased my ticket. A CRT at the greeting station as I boarded had the seat assignment, if I needed to ask. A hard copy is printed for the flight attendant to use as the door is closed…. Meeting our “block out time” of 9:55AM. All the bags are on board. All the people that go with all the bags are onboard. All mail and cargo are in their secure cargo containers as this flight is allowed to carry such items. One last list is printed for the flight attendants eyes only and then passed to the cockpit before takeoff listing “assets” among the passengers and their seat assignments. Today it is 1 sky marshal, 2 military special forces (traveling on leave) and 1 police officer. Also, on board, are 2 company pilots and 4 other pilots, 2 doctors, and 1 nurse and 1 (DV-3) VIP. These “assets” have been made aware of each other as needed. The sky marshal is aware of all as he would be “in charge” of a cabin emergency if requested by the cabin crew or as necessary. The DV-3 would be advised that “he would not be in charge”.

As I pawed through the seatback treasures, I noted that the big screen video showed the view over the Captains’ shoulder and down the runway. I could imagine that the Captain had looked at his monitor and seen that we were all properly seated and ready for a safe flight. The door up front is now very sturdy and closed for the entire flight. The crew is armed and, for a moment, I ponder whether some kook will think of a way to step around this “top side” security.

E-mail me if you are interested how I solved the “fleet service” problem. No, we do not have to make “security checks” on everyone. A really accomplished terrorist will be able to fool a background check.

The FCC recently approved broadband internet access from aboard aircraft in flight. This will mean increased pressure from the passengers for authorized use of their hand-helds, cell-phone browsers, PDA, and laptops while in flight. This is dealt with in Part 2 of this document.

Wizard@cybernest.net for e-mail of private comments to the author.

AirSecurityPart1@cybernest.net for comments to be posted to this article. They may be edited for size but not for view. Keep is to 67 words or less. (just kidding).