Pre and post 9/11 security at US airports

redandwhiterob · 9th September 2011, 03:23 PM

Goes whitout I saying I guess that security got tightened massively after 9/11 but what what is like pre 9/11, heard stories that flying internally was just like getting on a bus. Is this true?

Also whats its like nowadays, take it there are all sorts of measures in place?

Occam's Razor · 9th September 2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redandwhiterob

Goes whitout I saying I guess that security got tightened massively after 9/11 but what what is like pre 9/11, heard stories that flying internally was just like getting on a bus. Is this true?

Also whats its like nowadays, take it there are all sorts of measures in place?

Aye, it's true. My girlfriend (no) travelled a lot throughout the States in the late 90s, me less so; it was as you've heard, more like getting on trains or buses etc. In some airports you'd get beggars hanging about at the departure gates, stuff like that. Plenty of times people would end up on the wrong flight, everything was so casual.

Muppet · 9th September 2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redandwhiterob

Goes whitout I saying I guess that security got tightened massively after 9/11 but what what is like pre 9/11, heard stories that flying internally was just like getting on a bus. Is this true?

Also whats its like nowadays, take it there are all sorts of measures in place?

I travelled Manchester > Philadephia > Boston in 2000. In Manchester on the way there, I got "Did you pack the bag yourself? Could anyone have interfered with the contents?" etc.

In Boston, I got "Cool t-shirt"

El Matador · 9th September 2011, 03:57 PM

I made 6 internal flights in 2000. Airport security as we think of it was non-existant.

One · 9th September 2011, 03:59 PM

Pre 9/11 taking a 4 inch long blade on a plane was allowed because it was regarded as "non-lethal"

.

Arkle · 9th September 2011, 03:59 PM

Made a few internal flights pre-2001. As others have said, security was always minimal to lacking back then.

wilk3sy · 9th September 2011, 04:01 PM

I did an internal flight in 2001, a month before the towers were hit, I was 14yrs old.

We were allowed to wander aimlessly and didnt come up against anything you would class as security.

TwasOnTheFifthOfMay · 9th September 2011, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Occam's Razor

My girlfriend (no)

Ok, but 3 strikes and you're out.

CarlisleSAFC · 9th September 2011, 04:10 PM

I flew to New York just after that guy tried to blow up a plane on Christmas Day but only succeeded on setting his pants on fire. We were told everyone would be given a thorough search before being allowed on the plane, so naturally they told us the gate would open the normal 30 minutes before departure and by the time the staff had minced their way to the plane it was about 10 minutes before we were supposed to fly while 70 year old women we're slapped about by security and had their bags went through.

My favourite bit of security was when I flew out to Greece to meet my sister (fuck off) and can't remember which airport I'd landed at (I did 3 in a day) was either Athens or Hania, anyways, I had everything in a back pack so no luggage. So obviously I didn't need to put anything in on the plane and just had carry on, so when I only put a laptop and backpack through the screens it may have seemed a little odd. Either way the guy spoke in Greek, which I took clearly to mean "Gan on son, enjoy your holidays.." but was obviously closer to "Oi, why have you got no shit?"

Then he grabbed me and said it again but I just said "I don't speak Greek, sorry." So he said "Do you speak English?" .. ah, Columbo. This is good. "..Well.. yeah.." "Where is your luggage?" "There I only have carry on" etc. etc. in the end he just went "Okay and let me go."

The best part was he actually was holding me by arms, from behind, and whispering all this in my ear. Was rather seductive.

Chippy · 9th September 2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlisleSAFC

I flew to New York just after that guy tried to blow up a plane on Christmas Day but only succeeded on setting his pants on fire. We were told everyone would be given a thorough search before being allowed on the plane, so naturally they told us the gate would open the normal 30 minutes before departure and by the time the staff had minced their way to the plane it was about 10 minutes before we were supposed to fly while 70 year old women we're slapped about by security and had their bags went through.

My favourite bit of security was when I flew out to Greece to meet my sister (fuck off) and can't remember which airport I'd landed at (I did 3 in a day) was either Athens or Hania, anyways, I had everything in a back pack so no luggage. So obviously I didn't need to put anything in on the plane and just had carry on, so when I only put a laptop and backpack through the screens it may have seemed a little odd. Either way the guy spoke in Greek, which I took clearly to mean "Gan on son, enjoy your holidays.." but was obviously closer to "Oi, why have you got no shit?"

Then he grabbed me and said it again but I just said "I don't speak Greek, sorry." So he said "Do you speak English?" .. ah, Columbo. This is good. "..Well.. yeah.." "Where is your luggage?" "There I only have carry on" etc. etc. in the end he just went "Okay and let me go."

The best part was he actually was holding me by arms, from behind, and whispering all this in my ear. Was rather seductive.

Did ya get a chubby?