GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Airport Insecurity

• 48502
  

  Don't understand this one. EVERY time I've gone to Dulles to pick up someone (not too often, thank goodness) I can hardly slow down without being yelled at. Seems to me they have people just moving up and down the driveway, preventing people from stopping.

  Carl Day Posted April 14, 2008 11:58 AM
• 46128
  

  I have to agree that it is the attitude of the people and not the importance, although I'm sure they all believe they are important. Everyone has their own personal emergency be it taking a flight or picking up. Because nothing has happened, they figure it never will. The war is somewhere else and not here. The public has become complacent. I find it funny that the TSA personnel where just standing around smoking and not taking any action either.

  Dave Johnson Posted March 11, 2008 9:49 PM
• 44909
  

  Well, well, finally an article whose content is familiar to me! Having spent several years at a large airport prior to retirement, I feel that I have some grasp of the issues here. Primarily, it's the attitude, not the altitude. Simply put, (IMO), most Americans just don't care about security. They've thankfully never been robbed, attacked, or had family members obliterated in a 9/11 style event. When going to an airport, especially a large, busy one, like JFKIA, or Dulles, they just want to get on the plane, or pick up their friend/family member. Sadly, most people really don't care about others, and, in the confusion of the evening rush, even common sense fails. But the other problem here is law enforcement, if it's good, nothing may happen, and folks think there isn't any threat. Something blows up, and law enforcement gets burned! Go figure.

  US Customs Senior Inspector (Retired) Posted March 4, 2008 8:54 AM
• 44884
  

  McChord AFB is in Washington State, not California!

  Dan Schremser Posted March 3, 2008 9:36 PM
• 44832
  

  If you want to see really important folks try Regan National, everyone is a diplomat or Fed and they all want special attention

  dan ketter Posted March 3, 2008 11:17 AM
• 44831
  

  I'd love to know what days/times Mr. Brewin found cars parked in front of Dulles. Every single time I've ever taken a flight from that airport the police presence has been patrolling and moving people along. Before the 'cell phone lot', I once spent 30 minutes in the Dulles loop going 'round and 'round the terminal just waiting for my friend to emerge from the terminal. Every time I stopped in front to wait, I was 'encouraged' to move along within 30 seconds. Perhaps my car isn't fancy enough to be considered one belonging to a Washington VIP? Perhaps Mr. Brewin was just experiencing the exception rather than the rule?

  Michelle M Posted March 3, 2008 11:11 AM
• 44813
  

  I don't understand the "security" priority for parking at the curb at the airport - I understand traffic flow, but not security. What could happen - someone blow out the front of the building. I think it may be just as important to watch the front of an skyscraper - alla OKC - or a mall where you have a lot of people. What threat does a car parked at the curb of an airport that isn't present everywhere else?

  Tom Lombardi Posted March 3, 2008 9:56 AM
• 44796
  

  Mr. Brewin has a point to make about self-important people, but I'm not sure Dulles is the place to make it. In my opinion: A) blowing up the IAD passenger terminal wouldn't bring the Republic to its knees, and B) a slow-moving car is only marginally less of a threat than a standing car. Most of the vehicle-bomb attacks on buildings that I've read about involved a suicide driver piloting the vehicle. Mr. Brewin weakens his own point when he mentions the Glascow airport vehicle bomb DRIVEN into the terminal.

  Doug Ellice Posted March 3, 2008 8:34 AM