IMHO, this is the type of thing I want to see. Selective security by trained law enforcement. I think there needs to be a certain amount of security, just make sure its done in a smart way. If there ever was an attack, we'd quickly descend into airport-style security - it's better to have some security measures up front. Amtrak makes it quite clear what security measures you may be subjected to upfront and I think random screening of bags by law enforcement is fine.
Not many stores are open at 2 AM!
Wow. Just....wow. It's been a while since I have read such a bitter and utterly baseless statement. You've made it more than obvious that you think every single one of TSA's 55,000+ employees is somehow a "thug," and that you have a significant animosity towards air travel, the TSA, and now apparently bankers too, since they evidently now control the TSA (how do you take yourself seriously with statements like this anyway?). I don't believe these kind of incongruous opinions are at all necessary on a board such as this. Please keep them to yourself.
dlagrua's opinions were completely on topic, and I for one am pretty much in agreement with him. It should be noted that he said "world bankers" not just "bankers," he wasn't suggesting the bank down the road from where I live is in control of the TSA.
Oh forgive me, the world* bankers evidently now control TSA. How silly of me. He has labeled TSA employees as "thugs" numerous times in other posts. Remember, front-line TSA agents are only doing their jobs. If you want to complain, take it higher.dlagrua's opinions were completely on topic, and I for one am pretty much in agreement with him. It should be noted that he said "world bankers" not just "bankers," he wasn't suggesting the bank down the road from where I live is in control of the TSA.
Also.. where did he mention in this post that TSA employees are "thugs"? He referred to the TSA as a whole, as a menace, which I for one 100% agree with.
Please keep sharing your on-topic, and relevant thoughts dlagrua.
Your sign-up date indicates that you've been around for awhile. However, you seem to be surprised by AU's 'tin-foil hat wearing conspiracy theorist/germaphobe'.
:blush:Amtrak doesn't have security in the same way airports do. Luggage and carry-ons are rarely searched. If your insulin needs to be refrigerated, then I recommend a small icebox, like one of those 6-pack sizes sold for lunchboxes. You could put a small padlock through the zipper although I don't think it is really an issue. You could put the bulk of your syringes someplace inconvenient, like the bottom of your carry-on, and just have a day's worth handy. Whatever you usually do when you go out is probably fine.
I would think you will have no worries at all. There are quite a few people with medical issues that travel by train wherever possible by choice because:Hi, San Franciscan
I am an insulin dependent diabetic myself and travel on Amtrak in addition to having worked for them for 35+ years. If you travel I would recommend that you pack your syringes, insulin, and meter in a small travel kit. I see no need to hide the fact that you need to give yourself an injection that is needed for your life to be normal. I have discreetly given myself injections at the table in the dining car, but if you must take your kit with your supplies to a restroom and give yourself an injection. I will tell you that Amtrak don't provide a used sharps container. You must take your used syringes with you.
Please do not leave your sharps in the restroom as it is not only dangerous but I have seen a train stopped and searched after an attendant found several used syringes in the restroom and reported it to the conductor. In that case the dogs found illegal drugs in two adjacent coaches (the second car had a suitcase full of marijuana).
SHOCKING! Just SHOCKING! I am going to write my Congressman and Senator about this. How could they DARE compare you to a bum? Don't they KNOW a real bum when they see one? IF ever I have seen a real bum, it was certainly Dave!I agree with Misty. When I did my turn at WAS between a Regional arriving at 1:25 AM and one departing at 3:15 AM, I was asked to show my ticket to the Amtrak Police to show that I was an Amtrak Passenger and not a bum. (I am, but that's besides the point!) I found nothing obtrusive.
Well, I'm not gonna jump on that bandwagon, but I do think that what DHS is doing is just creating a need for itself, and the need for add'l staff. Because as one of our wise posters pointed out months ago, "employees are power". i.e., The bigger your staff, the more power you have. And if you have an ever increasing staff (even thru contractors) you have ever increasing political power.(not Dem or Rep, but Departmental power)
It is not just you. Currently living in SF and deliberately carless, I see the same thing. The reasons are farily simple: Checking the tourists and suburbanites, (and the cleaner city dwellers) enables them to check the box so to speak on doing fare inspection without risk to themselves. The second: In a city loaded with professional level "discrimination" screamers, they do subject themselves to spending lots of time defending their actions in a city where "political correctness" is running amok.
I would expect pointless bureaucratic intrusions into my privacy in China, just as I put up with them in the Soviet Union. Both countries are (or were) dictatorships, after all. I resent such intrusions, though, in the U.S.
Very well written. DHS and TSA are clearly not out for the good of the people as much as they are the good for themselves. Weather you believe that a global conspiracy, A Bush Conspiracy, or a Warthog and Meerkat Conspiracy is to blame doesn't have to be a dividing issue.
What will you do when they start checking bus riders?
Wouldn't that depend on who was appointed to various circuit courts and Supreme Court at the time?
Considering that China doesn't have any enforceable constitutional protections I don't see why you think any of us would be appalled.
Can you identify when TSA set up a checkpoint on an Atlanta Interstate?
Yes, It was Tuesday September 28, 2010. According to the Atlanta Jorunal. More information was provided by Channel 2 News.
Thanks for the info. No wonder it didn't register with me, since it was at the weigh stations only.
Well, it's still an interstate check point set up by the TSA of all commercial vehicles. This was not the police searching for drugs, this was a VIPR drill. I'm certain this will not be the last one done.
