TSA at Amtrak Austin

[ghostrider]

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/aust ... mar-amtrak" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Andrew]

And the VIPR strikes! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_In ... ponse_team" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[anygunanywhere]

Better have your papers in order.

Anygunanywhere

[C-dub]

I don't remember. Can a CHL not carry on the train in Texas? It would seem like one could not be prohibited since it is government owned, but it is owned by the fed. Does that make it off limits.

[jimlongley]

Time to write the legislative representatives again.

“The security at airports has increased so the bad guys are now traveling on the trains and buses,” said Robinson.

Since when is TSA's job to catch "bad guys"?

[anygunanywhere]

Time to write the legislative representatives again.

“The security at airports has increased so the bad guys are now traveling on the trains and buses,” said Robinson.

Since when is TSA's job to catch "bad guys"?

TSA doesn't want to catch the bad guys. TSA wants to cavity search them.

Anygunanywhere

[MeMelYup]

It appears they are political.
"Notable special events they have worked include the Presidential Inauguration, the Special Olympics, the Democratic National Convention, NFL games[17][citation needed] and others.[18]"

[Slowplay]

I travel a lot and it's truly disgusting to see, on many occasions, more blue shirts at security theatre checkpoints than traveling passengers. It's very obvious there is very poor management of how they allocate their labor resources (and I use that term very loosely). TSA is just another bloated federal program with an unwritten mission to make itself even larger.

Another apparent mission is to make their blue shirt presence as widespread and transgressing (4th Amend.) as possible. It must be part of a National Overt Transportation Security Initiative. The blue shirts will be everywhere and always in our business, in order to keep us safe.

[VMI77]

I travel a lot and it's truly disgusting to see, on many occasions, more blue shirts at security theatre checkpoints than traveling passengers. It's very obvious there is very poor management of how they allocate their labor resources (and I use that term very loosely). TSA is just another bloated federal program with an unwritten mission to make itself even larger.

Another apparent mission is to make their blue shirt presence as widespread and transgressing (4th Amend.) as possible. It must be part of a National Overt Transportation Security Initiative. The blue shirts will be everywhere and always in our business, in order to keep us safe.

Well, blue shirts are prettier than brown shirts, aren't they?

[G27RR]

"Random security checks are voluntary, but a way to keep criminal activity from taking place on-board."

So if you refuse they let you board anyway?

[filmtex]

"Random security checks are voluntary, but a way to keep criminal activity from taking place on-board."

So if you refuse they let you board anyway?

That's a great question.

[RX8er]

I know it is a fine line but isn't this a violation of the 4th, especially since they had "drug" sniffing dogs?

[Andrew]

"Random security checks are voluntary, but a way to keep criminal activity from taking place on-board."

So if you refuse they let you board anyway?

That's a great question.

No. The screening is voluntary, just as it is at airports. If you won't voluntarily submit to screening you can't board.

[Abraham]

CHL and armed on a train in Texas = Yes? / No?

[Andrew]

CHL and armed on a train in Texas = Yes? / No?

Very much a no. It took an act of congress for Amtrak to allow checked weapons. Here's the policy http://www.amtrak.com/firearms-in-checked-baggage" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; it's actually worse than dealing with the airlines. You have to notify 24 hours in advance. If any leg of your itinerary doesn't include coaches the have secured checked bagage compartments, that nixes the whole trip.
The Texas Eagle (San Antonio to Chicago) always has superliners for secured checked baggage, as does the Capitol Express (Chicago to Washinton D.C.). If the D.C. rally does get organized I'll be taking the train. $450.00 round trip. Lounge car, Dining car, Restrooms, comfy seats, beats 3000 miles in a car. just sayin