"Enhanced Security" at various airports....

Recently I've had to make various trips down south [commercial] due to
my father's health. As he's 88 even a simple cold can and often does
turn into pneumonia, the bane of senior aged folks. And rather quickly.

Anyway, in my area, so-termed "enhanced security" is in effect. I
mention this because various of my weekends are spent with GA types and
machines therein and it's interesting to learn how many of the GA
fraternity have not been on the commercial scene [read: sitting behind
the 'office'] in quite a few moons!

Be prepared! As some already know, you MUST produce a valid [read: non
expired ---check!] photo ID which MUST be 'government entity' issued ---
photo ID drivers license OK. Or you don't fly! Period.

This last trip, 3 weeks ago, I was relieved by the GSA [Government
Security Administration] uniformed security folks [I could claim it upon
my return however] of my still kicking around circa "Class of '68-'70"
US Army Zippo lighter [Inscribed: MACVSOG...don't ask! Check the
website.... ] not due to any known no smoking regs or matters, no-no,
but rather the alleged potential of the passenger to use a lighter and
go bananas forthwith and suddenly begin setting fire to seats! Ohhh
yes...this is a but a taste of "enhanced security measures."

Do NOT lock your check-in baggage! Do NOT or else the locks can and WILL
be broken if your baggage is randomly picked for a look inside. When I
arrived in Florida, I noted a thin plastic seal where the two zippers
come together on the outside of the bag. Upon opening the bag, I was
greeted with a GSA printed flyer that said my baggage was selected for a
random inspection [Note: I did not have the bag locked] but the flyer
continued to say, "If locks had to be forced open to inspect your bag,
we [*GSA] " ... regret any inconvenience to you but GSA will not be
responsible for any damage therein." Note that well the next time you
fly commercial and also have any check-in at the counter baggage. Secure
the bag but don't lock it! The GSA website has the rules on their
website! Worth a look!

Lady in front of me had one of those day-of-the-week plastic drug
containers but did not have her Rx [or copy of same] with her so that
the meds could be identified. She was taken to a room and I don't know
what happen from there! In effect, while a good many of the GA brethren
are generally free from any Rx meds for obvious FAA mandated reasons,
folks you travel with may have meds they require for any number of
things so make sure you have a copy of the Rx to show what those meds
are or, better still, use the Rx bottle they came in! Again, this is
"enhanced security."

Finally...in the Philly hub...guy presented his photo drivers license ID
but it was expired. Bizzzzz! He argued the point rather vociferously to
the tune of 'what the $$#$ difference does that make..you can see it's
me...and assorted other comments...but the next thing I observed was a
veritable small army of ARMED folks making with the "This way, Sir..."
strong-arm thing. I didn't see the guy subsequent to his voiced
displeasure.

Lately...and this very recently in the news, they are thinking of
prohibiting all cell phones in the cabin [the 'reasoning' [!] behind
this one escapes me] but will allow same to be transported in the
check-in baggage. This one, so I understand, is pending approval.

Totally different ball game these days when you go [or have to] go
commercial.

Doc Tony


BTW..anyone in the group who is commercial connected for their
livlihood...WHY is it that all manner of deals can be found if one does
the round-trip [R/T] fare thing but the fare on the same plane and same
airline can almost TRIPLE in cost if you fly only one way? Sometimes,
when family emergencies strike and you have to get there FAST, hey,
commercial jet travel is the only way to go [unless of course you have
your own Citation or whatever --and-- the ticket/ratings to go with it]
but a one way trip is sometimes necessary and prudent because one just
doesn't know the extent of 'time' the emergency can last and so a R/T
ticket may have to be wasted. Yet one way fares are often prohibitive! Why?

My R/T from NY to FLA was a decent $458 [NOT waiting the usual 14 days
for the discount fare] BUT a 'one way' on the same plane and same
airline and same destination was a mind boggling $688! Why such a wide
disparity in fares between R/T tickets and a one way ticket?