Whether you are one of the people that believes that 9/11 was orchestrated by a group of box-cutter armed Islamic terrorists, or a conspiracy-theorist believing it all to be an evil alliance between aliens and Bildenberg Group members trying to introduce a New World Order: you surely will agree that flying has gotten significantly more complicated the past 10 years.
Since 2001 I have heard of maximum 5 reports of terrorist attempts including airports and airlines. The most notorious of course being the “underwear and sock burner” incidents a year ago. To my knowledge a number of 0 people have been hurt or killed in terrorist acts relating to aviation, and the only acts of terrorism we have seen since “the big one” have been the London and Madrid subway bombings as well as a nightclub bombing in the far east. At most these attacks have caused 500 deaths, or around half of the people killed in the traffic in Denmark within the same period.
Stating that traffic, obesity, knitting and other activities causes more deaths per year than terrorism is nothing new and should not surprise anyone. The terror fear is a tautology and is doing just what it is meant to. People watch X-factor and American Idol to have someone to distinguish themselves from. In the same way the terror fear has created a world of us against them (them being the evil muslim terrorists). To counter this irrational fear we need to act!
The billions of dollars spent on airport security without anything to show for it (apart of ripping us from our liberties) need to be stopped; and the only way we can stop the security lobby and insane politicians is by voicing and demonstrating our dissatisfaction with their theft of our human rights. The ways we can do this is:
1) Enlighten ourselves and be realistic on the actual risks.
2) Don’t fly or use public transports that include privacy invasive screenings.
3) Voice your opinion!
Number 1 and 3 should be easy for anyone to do. As for number 2, this one might cause a few more problems. I have therefore raked my brain for things and behaviours you can apply when forced into travelling, with the sole purpose of disrupting the security controls and creating awareness of the disgusting in using a stressful situation like flying and travelling to encroach on our civil liberties.
Before attempting, please be aware that you might be detained and delayed as well as bereft of your dignity by airport staff and police. It is therefore important that you arrive even before you normally would to the airport. I have categorized the things you can do into groups depending on boldness.
BEGINNER (no problem):
1) Be slow in the queue. Don’t speak the language or understand the instructions. Forget emptying pockets, taking off watches, belts and boots.
2) Ask questions to staff like “what is the purpose of this?”, “how does this machine work?”, “are you sure this will not render me pregnant?”, etc.
3) Talk loudly with other people in the queue about how ridiculous this is, and that it is a breach of your civil liberties and privacy.
INTERMEDIATE (prepare for delay and searches):
1) Initially refuse all scanning attempts – request speaking to a supervisor. Discuss in a calm loud voice with the supervisor the idiocy of asking you to go through a scan like this. Make sure the other people in the queue can hear you, and keep your cool. Relish in the fact that right now you are hogging resources.
2) If padded down refuse to be padded down by a staff member of the sex attempting to pad you down. As a man you refuse letting other men touch you, could be a completely acceptable motivation. When being padded down make sure that you show and demonstrate that this is a breach of your privacy.
3) Ask for names of all people in the security service when they handle you and your belongings. Write them down – take your time.
4) Wear clothes that demonstrate your opinion of the security check and terror fear. Slogans like “I’m a terrorist”, “I didn’t NOT say I wasn’t carrying a BOMB”, “Allah is Great!!” are examples of nice shirts to wear.
ADVANCED (you gonna miss your flight):
1) Without talking – quickly undress completely before reaching the check point. Ideally – bring a friend to video the incident if possible!
2) Carry objects that look like bombs on you. Make sure they ARE harmless! Chant silently “Allahu Akhba” as you wait in the queue. Perspire..
3) Attempt sneaking real weapons or realistic replicas on-board a plane. Document the whole procedure from it’s inception till result. If you manage to reach the gate, consider calling a big news station an tell them what you have done and ask them to come to you for an interview.
4) Communicate to the security staff that you “believe that you heard 2 of your fellow travellers discussing “killing pigs”, “Allah” and mixing “nitroglycerine”.” Remember that it is your responsibility to report this to the security staff – also make sure that you use the word “believe I heard”.
If you have any other good ideas – please add them in the comment section and I will add them to the text. Always remember to maintain calm and composed and that the purpose is to delay and confuse the security staff as well as enlightening your fellow travellers.
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