We were warned many thoughtful commentators soon after 9-11 that if we were not careful, we’d do more damage to ourselves that the terrorists ever could. I present you our next installment of that damage.
Do you suppose the TSA is actually a front for some way-out environmentalism nutsos and is supposed to put the airlines out of business?
Nah. More likely yet another example of bureaucratic incompetence and taxpayer-funded stupidity.
But wait–another train of thought. Let’s see now…We pay to be cavity-searched by uniformed buffoons, and are shoe-horned into badly ventilated, cramped aircraft which may or may not be properly maintained. We’re served bad food, if we get any at all, by generally indifferent staff. Our planes are late and our luggage damaged if not lost. And we pay for the privilege.
I’ve got it now! All fliers are masochists!
Yes, I know I’m overstating things. But I quit flying years ago when it ceased to be fun. I drive everywhere I go, and if I can’t drive, I don’t go. You have to wonder how many people are just one short indignity away from a similar decision. You also have to wonder how many of those it will take to finally break the airlines once and for all.
But as one of my favorite authors, Jerry Pournelle, is fond of saying, “But we were born free.”