Worried about your suburban commuter train being hijacked ala Pelham 123?

[Wes Bucey]

So, if you're worried about being involved in a real life (versus reel life) hijacking of your suburban commuter train, never fear,
"TSA is on the way to save the day!"

I caught this handy dandy little notice today:

7/2/2009 Security
TSA to begin patrolling Metra trains

Metra soon will have a larger security presence onboard its Chicago-area commuter trains. The agency recently announced the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will begin augmenting Metra's current security forces to improve detection capabilities and introduce an "element of unpredictability," according to the transit agency.

Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response teams would include federal air marshals, transportation security officers, TSA-certified canine teams, surface transportation security inspectors and local/state law enforcement officers. The teams have been trained on rail safety and will coordinate their efforts with the Metra, Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway Co. police departments.

The TSA teams previously only patrolled Metra trains during large events, such as President Obama's election night rally in Grant Park.

The additional security is not a response to any specific threat, Metra said.

Up to now, the most interesting episodes I've encountered on Metra (we old folk ride free in Illinois!) have been the train romances (the couple necks and nuzzles like crazy during the ride, then she gets off to a waiting husband at one stop and he gets off to a waiting wife at another stop.)

I'm looking forward to a train marshal subduing a terrorist trying to hijack the Milwaukee line to a new destination in Waukesha!

[Marc]

Sounds like "Let's throw money at a non-existent problem!"

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by Marc

Sounds like "Let's throw money at a non-existent problem!"

How did you get so smart in your middle age?

[Marc]

It's *old* age in my case...

This is stuff so stupid that I simply can't comprehend it. I simply cannot fathom who would come up with such a useless money pit and institute it. But - Considering the TSA rules at airports I guess it shouldn't be surprising.

[somerqc]

Do you mean the rule that says my daughter with a size 7 toddler shoe (not even the size of your hand) is a threat so she has to take off her shoes to go through?! Oh ya, they were sandals with an open toe as well!

I know those plastic explosives are potent, but, exactly where did they think it could be hidden?

But, there are still dumb people out there though.

On my last flight (Ft. Lauderdale), I got stuck behind the guy that thought it would ok to have a 3.5" exacto knife in his carry-on baggage. Let me tell you, that certainly woke up the security in the area. The great thing about it? My 1 bag ended up between his 2 bags. Yep, time for some questions from security (and a very thorough look in my very innocent bag). The best part - he tried to argue with security. I wish I could have stayed to watch that ....thought better of it and went to my gate.

So - TSA has the rules for a reason - not for you and I - but for the highly intelligent folk that don't fly so often.

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by somerqc

Do you mean the rule that says my daughter with a size 7 toddler shoe (not even the size of your hand) is a threat so she has to take off her shoes to go through?! Oh ya, they were sandals with an open toe as well!

I know those plastic explosives are potent, but, exactly where did they think it could be hidden?

But, there are still dumb people out there though.

On my last flight (Ft. Lauderdale), I got stuck behind the guy that thought it would ok to have a 3.5" exacto knife in his carry-on baggage. Let me tell you, that certainly woke up the security in the area. The great thing about it? My 1 bag ended up between his 2 bags. Yep, time for some questions from security (and a very thorough look in my very innocent bag). The best part - he tried to argue with security. I wish I could have stayed to watch that ....thought better of it and went to my gate.

So - TSA has the rules for a reason - not for you and I - but for the highly intelligent folk that don't fly so often.

My 81-year-old aunt was recently visiting from New Jersey, and when I took her to the Milwaukee airport for her return flight the baggage-check clerk noticed that her state ID had expired in February. No one noticed this in Newark when she was coming here, and she wasn't aware of the expiration so she didn't know that it might be a problem. It was a problem. She got an extra going-over with the wand, and had the contents of her voluminous purse scattered on a table while the hapless security person searched for dangerous contraband. She was, I might add, in a wheelchair while all of this was going on. Fortunately I had her there in plenty of time to make her flight. On top of everything else, she discovered when she got home that some photos she'd had in the purse were missing. She told me that she told the guy who was searching through her stuff that she wasn't aware "...that I stopped being me when the *&$% ID expired--I wonder if my kids will know me."

[howste]

C'mon, let's be positive about this... Maybe it was a preventive action based on risk analysis! Maybe it's an attempt to stimulate the economy and reduce the unemployment rate by hiring additional employees!

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by howste

C'mon, let's be positive about this... Maybe it was a preventive action based on risk analysis! Maybe it's an attempt to stimulate the economy and reduce the unemployment rate by hiring additional employees!

Well, this is the Chicago area, home of the Daley machine that supported Obama, so I suppose it is just a quid pro quo to pump money into the Chicago area economy, since the Illinois unemployment rate exceeds the national average.

I wonder if this means all those commuters will have to turn on their laptops and take off their shoes to board the train each morning and afternoon?

By the way, what brand of electronic wands does TSA use? I may have a hot stock tip for folks!