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-- 85 billion a year hit to US economy (http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=233353)
85 billion a year hit to US economy
At TSA security checkpoints in airports across America, ‘tis the season for government gropers and festive full body scan. Those increasing anti-air travel sentiments worsened by ongoing intrusions at the hands of the Transportation Security Administration are causing more and more Americans to forego flights as travelers this season are saying they’d rather ride busses and cars then deal with airplanes this year.
According to the results of a survey just released by the US Travel Association, two-out-of-five travelers this season are saying they’re trying to skip the plane and those pesky lines and checkpoints in lieu of other methods of transportation. It might not seem like a substantial number, but the association’s CEO, Roger Dow, tells US News & World Report, "Our research shows that reducing hassle without compromising security will encourage more Americans to fly — as many as two to three additional trips a year — leading to an additional $85 billion in spending that would support 900,000 American jobs.”
If Congress wants to keep jobs, perhaps they should pull the plug on stripping passengers of their clothes and humiliating them in terminals from coast-to-coast.
Congress is set to give the green light on funding for a massive expansion of TSA checkpoints, with the federal agency already responsible for over 9,000 such checkpoints in the last year amidst increased fears America is turning into a police state following the passage of the ‘indefinite detention’ bill.
The increase in funding has nothing to do with the TSA’s role in airports – this is about creating 12 more VIPR teams to add the federal agency’s 25 units that are already scattered across the country and responsible for manning checkpoints on highways, in bus and train terminals, at sports events and even high school prom nights.
“The TSA’s 25 “viper” teams — for Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response — have run more than 9,300 unannounced checkpoints and other search operations in the last year. Department of Homeland Security officials have asked Congress for funding to add 12 more teams next year,” reports the L.A. Times.
Quote from Mvector:
----Congress is set to give the green light on funding for a massive expansion of TSA....
it is just the beginning for Obama and his crew. someday US residents will need an internal transport to travel from one state to the next.
Quote from zdreg:
it is just the beginning for Obama and his crew. someday US residents will need an internal transport to travel from one state to the next.
Quote from zdreg:
it is just the beginning for Obama and his crew. someday US residents will need an internal transport to travel from one state to the next.
__________________
------------------------
The things people believe in are usually just what they instinctively feel is right; the justifications and arguments are the least important part of the belief.
That's why you can win the argument, prove them wrong, and still they believe what they did in the first place. You've attacked the wrong thing.
So what do you do? Agree to disagree. Or fight. - C. Zakalwe.
Laugh if you want. I want my government to protect me from everything. American exceptionalism is just a myth. Without a powerful government we would be just like all the other countries where might makes right. America is the land of the free because we are free from worry when we get on a plane that somebody is going to blow it up. Try getting on an airplane in some country that doesn't have a TSA and see how free you feel.
Re: 85 billion a year hit to US economy
Quote from Mvector:
At TSA security checkpoints in airports across America, ‘tis the season for government gropers and festive full body scan. Those increasing anti-air travel sentiments worsened by ongoing intrusions at the hands of the Transportation Security Administration are causing more and more Americans to forego flights as travelers this season are saying they’d rather ride busses and cars then deal with airplanes this year.
According to the results of a survey just released by the US Travel Association, two-out-of-five travelers this season are saying they’re trying to skip the plane and those pesky lines and checkpoints in lieu of other methods of transportation. It might not seem like a substantial number, but the association’s CEO, Roger Dow, tells US News & World Report, "Our research shows that reducing hassle without compromising security will encourage more Americans to fly — as many as two to three additional trips a year — leading to an additional $85 billion in spending that would support 900,000 American jobs.”
If Congress wants to keep jobs, perhaps they should pull the plug on stripping passengers of their clothes and humiliating them in terminals from coast-to-coast.
__________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPs_j1EEplI&feature=feedwll&list=WL
Re: Re: 85 billion a year hit to US economy
If planes just randomly blew up in mid air, I bet you that the only airlines that wouldn't suffer are those that offer regular flights to Las Vegas. Then we'd see who the real gamblers are.
Quote from Free Thinker:
what would be the cost if a couple of planes blew up in mid air?
Quote from oldtime:
Laugh if you want. I want my government to protect me from everything. American exceptionalism is just a myth. Without a powerful government we would be just like all the other countries where might makes right. America is the land of the free because we are free from worry when we get on a plane that somebody is going to blow it up. Try getting on an airplane in some country that doesn't have a TSA and see how free you feel.
Quote from nazzdack:
?..... the increase in funding will be 85-billion dollars and the hiring of 900,000 people?
Re: Re: 85 billion a year hit to US economy
Quote from Free Thinker:
what would be the cost if a couple of planes blew up in mid air?
Re: Re: Re: 85 billion a year hit to US economy
Quote from oldtime:
If planes just randomly blew up in mid air, I bet you that the only airlines that wouldn't suffer are those that offer regular flights to Las Vegas. Then we'd see who the real gamblers are.
Quote from oldtime:
Laugh if you want. I want my government to protect me from everything. American exceptionalism is just a myth. Without a powerful government we would be just like all the other countries where might makes right. America is the land of the free because we are free from worry when we get on a plane that somebody is going to blow it up. Try getting on an airplane in some country that doesn't have a TSA and see how free you feel.
Quote from Mvector:
Courage is the only backbone of freedom - not cowardice.
I feel bad that you have been brainwashed into thinking a government makes you safe - you are the "class" they always wanted to build - you are their dream citizen - locked in fear, and in constant feel of need of their protection.
Quote from achilles28:
Well said. Old Timer represents everything that is wrong with America. Those who give up liberty for security, deserve neither - Ben Franklin.
Quote from Mvector:
Their opinion as to the total impact of people not flying - not going to the hotel - not renting a car - not conducting busines - etc - etc - etc.
If the government can't even protect me when I get on an airplane, what good is the government anyway?
Quote from zdreg:
+1.
this quote is worthy as a thread in itself.
Quote from Fractals 'R Us:
but you said they go by some other method. They still spend the travel money. In central and southern California I take the AmTrak.. interesting that though, one trip I found that a Black guy with Blue Tennis Shoes [Cripps] was riding along and conducting business in Chicago and Los Angeles via his cell phone, I'm not the only one that wants to avoid the airports...
The real loss to the economy is the bloated government thingy. If we wanted to narrow the number of people we were trying to keep from blowing up planes we would give everybody free psych evals and keep tabs on about 5% of the population just as a routine crimestopper thingy for openers. That isn't even interference with their freedoms that much. We would definitely profile people, we would do things way different... I'm doing this in my personal life. I'm learning to spot psychopaths, it's too cool, they have "poker tells". I require very little interaction to nail a diagnosis.. if I want to follow up for some reason, a $50 investigation would confirm or deny.. I'm interacting on a daily basis with about 200 people currently and were I allowed to bury six or seven psychopaths it would raise the quality of existence by 50%...
One guy I heard in an interview pointed out that the screening causes queing and a large number of people behind the checkpoints that are a good target for a homicidal maniac with some plastic explosives.. or a plastic blade for that matter...
Quote from oldtime:
If the government can't even protect me when I get on an airplane, what good is the government anyway?
Quote from Fractals 'R Us:
but you said they go by some other method. They still spend the travel money. In central and southern California I take the AmTrak.. interesting that though, one trip I found that a Black guy with Blue Tennis Shoes [Cripps] was riding along and conducting business in Chicago and Los Angeles via his cell phone, I'm not the only one that wants to avoid the airports...
The real loss to the economy is the bloated government thingy. If we wanted to narrow the number of people we were trying to keep from blowing up planes we would give everybody free psych evals and keep tabs on about 5% of the population just as a routine crimestopper thingy for openers. That isn't even interference with their freedoms that much. We would definitely profile people, we would do things way different... I'm doing this in my personal life. I'm learning to spot psychopaths, it's too cool, they have "poker tells". I require very little interaction to nail a diagnosis.. if I want to follow up for some reason, a $50 investigation would confirm or deny.. I'm interacting on a daily basis with about 200 people currently and were I allowed to bury six or seven psychopaths it would raise the quality of existence by 50%...
One guy I heard in an interview pointed out that the screening causes queing and a large number of people behind the checkpoints that are a good target for a homicidal maniac with some plastic explosives.. or a plastic blade for that matter...
Quote from Mvector:
bloated government is a part of the problem with excessive costs, as is foreign vacation & business travelers who will not fly into the US now because of our TSA policies. Several business owners I know in canada, south america, and europe have completely stopped flying to US. We do gotowebinar or skype meetings all the time which can be a pain. The body scanners and pat downs are the biggest problem.
Foreign vacation travel to US is down compared to past 8 years with some slight increase late 2011 over 2010 figures - foreign business travel to US is still weak. How full a flight you are on has nothing to do with what you "feel" is happening - it is about available seat miles and ticket pricing levels. The US airline industry has had to reduce flight schedules to deal with the revenue problems - fuel, labor costs, and poor international flight margins are killing the airlines. The bankruptcy of American Airlines and most all the major US airlines with international flights past years is prime example - the current system is broke and the TSA is a part of the problem.
Holiday travel expected to be down this year too -
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/1...ptier-this-year
I wonder why???
'Security Theater'? TSA Confiscates Woman's Frosted Cupcake - http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blog...-161059325.html
;-)
Bottom line - TSA just SUCKS!
Quote from Mvector:
Bottom line - TSA just SUCKS!
__________________
"Success in the markets runs counter to everything we have been taught...and if you want a friend on Wall Street, get a dog"
Quote from zdreg:
+1.
this quote is worthy as a thread in itself.
well, to each his own, but I think the camoflauge we wear now is a lot more manly than the redcoats the British wore when they were sailing all over the world to make rufians like us behave.
Quote from achilles28:
We're a nation of pussies, now. Pussies who think they're tough.
Now the Oakland Police have a very impressive riot gear ensemble, but you know, those west coast faggots are always on the cutting edge of fashion.
Quote from oldtime:
well, to each his own, but I think the camoflauge we wear now is a lot more manly than the redcoats the British wore when they were sailing all over the world to make rufians like us behave.
Quote from oldtime:
Now the Oakland Police have a very impressive riot gear ensemble, but you know, those west coast faggots are always on the cutting edge of fashion.
__________________
"Success in the markets runs counter to everything we have been taught...and if you want a friend on Wall Street, get a dog"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsDye2m3xE
I for one would rather die in midair then be groped by the TSA. And I will NEVER take my children on an airplane as long as the TSA is touching children.
For a decade I flew 4 times a year. Now I dont fly at all. Fuck them and their government subsidized kid touching pizza box job advertised asses.
I am right there with you - amen!
I predict the next "movement":
OCCUPY TSA
That group's member will harrass and grope uniformed TSA employees as they come and go at the major airports !
I'm in !
__________________
"Success in the markets runs counter to everything we have been taught...and if you want a friend on Wall Street, get a dog"
Quote from Mvector:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCsDye2m3xE
__________________
"Success in the markets runs counter to everything we have been taught...and if you want a friend on Wall Street, get a dog"
The United States is not a totalitarian government, nor was it ever intended to be, and although we seem to be moving towards socialism at a rather alarming rate - the United States still stands for freedom and liberty for each and every individual, and citizen.
It has been said that for a government to be owned by the people, the government should fear the boss - the people, thus, the government should fear, NEVER the people of their own government, because if they do, then the government is illegitimate and out for its own interests and eventually may find a place and time when it no longer needs the people, because they are a burden.
The politics of fear" is being used, not only by terror groups, militias and dictatorships but, increasingly, by the U.S. government on its own people. Following widespread introduction of anti-terrorism legislation the U.S. government has exploited public fears about uncontrolled travel and illegal immigration to justify tough measures to control our borders and travel. This use of public fear has recently become a major weapon of U.S. government oppression that is leading to a dangerously divided country. It is starting to create a depressing catalogue of human rights abuses that is accelerating.
I prefer the ways I was taught as a child in the 50’s, that U.S. citizens will be governed by the rule of law and not by fear. Under this rule of law there will be gross abuses and violations and these are inevitable in a system of law. To maintain order and not to ruled by fear citizens must respect the process of enforcing the law and not give into fear.
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Rabbit
Quote from Crispy:
I for one would rather die in midair then be groped by the TSA.
__________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPs_j1EEplI&feature=feedwll&list=WL
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