One More Airport Security Checkpoint On The Way

In the never ending quest to make it more of a pain in the ass to fly, the American Transportation Safety Authority has unveiled their newest cockamamie plan: To have every ticket holder apply for and obtain government permission in the form of some kind of presentable-on-demand credential before every flight.

The Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security are quietly pushing for a set of crazy new rules. All travellers in the U.S. will be required to get government-issued credentials and official clearance before every flight, both within the United States as well as internationally.

Hmm... that one will go over really well with the business travelers who are taking 10 or more flights per week. (I wouldn't worry too much: I rather expect this idea to suffer a quick, embarrassed-silence death.)

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By the way... Here is a list of all of the hijackings and attempted hijackings from American airports between 1973 (the advent of passenger and luggage screening) and September 11, 2001:

1974: Baltimore. Gunman killed while plane still at gate.
1987: California. Disgruntled USAir employee opens fire on plane.
1994: Memphis. Employee on FedEx plane. Subdued by crew.

So, to summarize: Other than the September 11 attacks, ever since the introduction of security measures for air flights 34 years ago, not a single plane taking off from an American airport has ever been hijacked or bombed by a passenger who was not also an employee of the airline.