Wednesday, April 23, 2008 |
17:12 - Sufficiency Experts
http://www.deanesmay.com/2008/04/23/credit-where-its-due/
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Maniakes at Dean's World has noticed something:
That being said, I think the front-line TSA is doing an excellent job of implementing the security measures their superiors have deemed necessary. I remember pre-9/11 security lines taking half an hour or more, and while lines are longer now and the screening procedures are more stringent, the amount of time it takes to clear security is now much less, often less than ten minutes.
It’s the little things that make the difference. The piles of big plastic trays replacing the little plates they used to hand you to put your keys in. The large counters to give you a chance to rearrange your stuff into the trays while waiting in line, so you don’t need to hold up the line when you get to the machine. The video loop explaining the procedures. The suggestion that you put your belt, keys, and wallet in your bag.
There's more, too, as the post goes on to say.
I've noticed the same thing. I've flown quite a bit recently, often during rush hour, and I've never had to spend more than about fifteen minutes in line. Most of the time, for an evening flight, I end up getting to the airport two hours in advance—like a good post-9/11 traveler—and then spending an hour and a half sitting at the gate watching episodes of South Park and Reno 911.
I remember Greg Kihn complaining on the local San Jose classic rock station that we should be putting "our best and brightest" to work scanning bags at the security checkpoint, instead of dull-eyed, low-paid federal employees. Now, putting aside the trouble of how exactly you're supposed to retain the interest of a person with a $250K postdoc education by paying him minimum wage and making him stare at a black-and-white TV screen all day (and the related conceit of "those people whose services are the most important should be the ones paid highest by society", as though any market force would survive trying to pay janitors six figures and Ferrari salesmen and pro athletes chickenscratch)—I'm happy to see that apparently somewhere in the food chain of TSA, there actually are some bright people pulling levers.
I'll be flying again tomorrow night, and if recent experience is any guide, I won't have any particular need to rush or stress. I might even get some sleep.
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