(no subject)

[semperfiona]

A start-up company is offering nude air travel, with caveats: you have to be dressed until the plane takes off and then put your clothes back on before landing.

But somehow the whole idea reminds me of a vision I had about six months ago, when flying on one of my innumerable plane trips since the 9/11 disaster. It occurred to me that security checks had become so invasive that I began to expect travelers to be forced to disrobe before being allowed to reach the departure gates. And then I saw a ghastly picture of a long line of naked people shuffling off to the showers xray machines, and then entering a long narrow empty tube of aluminum that reminded me of a boxcar.

Travel is a right, not a privilege. We should not have to sacrifice other basic rights in order to engage in it.

Comments

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

I began to expect travelers to be forced to disrobe before being allowed to reach the departure gates.

A woman did just that in Evansville a few days ago. (http://www.indystar.com/article.php?felonypm1030.html) She became angry at being wanded, and removed her top and bra. She was arrested on disorderly conduct charges.

What bothers me is that she's French, and the story referrs to her having an interperter in court. I wonder if she just didn't understand what they wanted her to do, and it was more of a miscommunication than anything else.

[(Anonymous)]

With out sounding to right wing or is that lefist i think that travel is a privilage in some regards i just dont agree with the approach or maybe i dont understand the system of how they go about selecting people for screening but i agree with the nude system hell if everybody was nude all the time there could be less crime (where would you carry a gun)and besides i think that nude is the great equalizer there is no fashion or accesories its hard to put up a fake persona when your standing there buck naked.

Just curious

[semperfiona]

Who are you?

Re: Just curious

[(Anonymous)]

http://ta2d.stlbloggers.com/ I dont know if this answer your question or what exactly you want to know.

Re: Just curious

[semperfiona]

It answers my question. I mostly wanted to know how you had found my journal.

Re: Just curious

[(Anonymous)]

your material comes highly recomended

Re: Just curious

[semperfiona]

By whom?

Re: Just curious

[(Anonymous)]

benv
hey how can i leave my user id with no account on livejournal

Re: userid

[(Anonymous)]

You can just include it in the text, like this. (niemand)

[freddyferret.livejournal.com]

I too agree that travel is a privilege more than a right. The right to free speech, the right to bear arms, the right to sail the skies in a big metal cigar? I do agree that travel itself is to some degree a right, to be free to go where you choose. But the method of travel, which is the topic here, is not a right. If you aren't happy with aspects of air travel, you are free to choose another method. Bus, train, car, in some cases boat/ship. Yes, air travel is faster, but that is convenience. You are sacrificing things for that convenience, and it's your choice to do so. You have to weigh the pros and cons, and decide for yourself whether or not you will go through what it takes to enjoy the convenience. If it's too much, plan accordingly and take a different, slower, method of travel.

I haven't flown since 9/11, but I don't fly much anyway. I almost did fly once, it just turned out that I didn't have to take the trip at all. I have no problem with flying, and will again when I want/need to do so. I know what to expect when I do, and I'm willing to accept it.

I know that some people take things to extremes, there are misunderstandings, jerks in a position of "power", etc. But more often it's not that bad, at least not from what I've heard from my friends who do fly frequently. So I'll just take my chances and hope that the idiots are at another terminal.

[semperfiona]

It's not an enumerated right, that's true. But it is a human right. Think about how Communist regimes used to (and China and North Korea still do) control their citizens by not allowing them to travel without permission.

I would grant you the statements about method of travel except that drastic measures are beginning to be taken everywhere. I can remember riding Greyhound without showing ID, but you can't do that now.

[freddyferret.livejournal.com]

It's not an enumerated right, that's true. But it is a human right. Think about how Communist regimes used to (and China and North Korea still do) control their citizens by not allowing them to travel without permission.

I understand, my point was that the current security measures have nothing to do with restricting travel. I agree that people should be free to travel, go where they want without permission or restriction. (Usually) unless you're carrying weapons, drugs, etc., you're still free to travel. Again, travel itself is a right, the method is a privilege and choice.

I would grant you the statements about method of travel except that drastic measures are beginning to be taken everywhere. I can remember riding Greyhound without showing ID, but you can't do that now.

Unfortunately, increased security seems to be a necessary evil these days, in all forms of travel. I am not saying I like going through it any more than you do, I'm just saying I can see the justification for most of it. If you don't like having to show ID, go through checkpoints and metal detectors, possibly be searched, etc., you can drive your car. You don't have to answer to anyone that way.

But if one nut job with a bomb or gun is prevented from carrying out a death wish, I'll deal with it.