By
Erik Hastings

Be a part of the solution; reschedule all non-essential air travel for the next few days. Airports (and airlines) are dealing with new TSA restrictions and added holiday volume of travelers, so if you don’t have to fly, then don’t. At the same time, I hope airlines get with the program and let us change our flights to ease congestion, without charging us.

You may find this hard to believe, but this recent terror plot that was foiled on board a Delta/Northwest flight is a GOOD thing for the flying public! Here’s why: This incident shines a very bright light on airport screening of passengers, carry-on and checked luggage and cargo on passenger airliners. The reality is, not EVERY person is thoroughly screened. Not EVERY carry-on is checked for bomb-making materials and not EVERY piece of checked luggage is checked for explosives.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) we will see additional security at the screening checkpoints and may have more rules on board commercial aircraft. No blankets on our laps in the last hour of flight. No potty breaks one hour before landing, higher level of screening before boarding, etc. The bottom line is these new rules will change as we continue to play this ugly cat and mouse game with the ones who want to blow us out of the sky.

So here’s a thought. Why not kick some SERIOUS money to airport screening and overhaul the current retro-fitted rinky-dink dog and pony show. I’m talking about full body scans (yes the ones where the screeners see everything!) and put an Air Marshall on every flight. Expensive? Yes! Effective….I have a feeling these measures will eliminate air terror.  Then the terrorists can focus on other ways to disrupt our lives.

On your next trip to the airport, pack less, arrive early, keep calm, stay alert, be nice, remember who started all this (the terrorists not the airlines) and keep smiling.

Be strong my flying friends, and say a little thank you prayer for those brave folks who prevented this piece of garbage from killing 250 people the other day!