Flying is not a right that you may abuse because you
are the victim of a bad day.
The airline industry is under siege from terrorists, questionable
management decisions over decades, over-expansion, deregulation problems and the
multifarious nature of its customers. The terrorist attacks of September 11 and the
ongoing War Against Terrorism are conspiring to force major improvements throughout the
airline industry.
Security remains a very troubling and totally inadequately satisfied
area. Safety is degraded due to the nature of security workers and uncoordinated and
functionally illogical procedures. The best aerospace and microchip technologies
should make flying today a very safe endeavor. But when tennis shoe bombers are
passed through so-called security checkpoints, when an 86-year old man carrying his war
medal is delayed and questioned about that medal, and when a United States congressman is
strip-searched because he has a metal hip joint replacement, we should all understand the
obvious fact that security is lacking the one characteristic most needed:
Judgment.
The War Against Terrorism is being waged effectively by exemplary
Special Operations, Marine, Navy, Air and Army forces. The global war will
eventually be won and civilization will be reasonably safe and secure. But today,
the war at home is critical and every citizen has been involuntarily enlisted to defend
our homelands against terror. Our society cannot afford to tolerate any one
individual who for selfish or deranged reasons works to undermine the safety and security
of our homeland. Yet that is precisely what a surprisingly large number of
individuals have been doing while enjoying the privilege of flying on commercial flights.
We all need to be good soldiers in this war, for if we are not
cooperating and playing on the home team, we are aiding the terrorists in their mission.
We must all make up for the short comings of airline security personnel and their
lack of judgment. Or, put another more politically correct way, we must not add to
security problems. By our working as effectively to support homeland security as our
armed forces are in fighting our enemy around the world, we are ensuring victory and the
return of our armed forces personnel may be that much sooner.
When planning to fly, behave yourself, do not cause trouble
in-flight, do not distract flight crews, follow security common sense rules, don't do
stupid things in airport terminals such as re-entering concourses through exits, and don't
add to delays by complaining or not being prepared for searches.
If you cannot be civilized before, during and after flying you just
may be fined and lose the privilege of flying the civilized skies of the civilized world. |
