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I have medications I have to take daily, and when I started with the airline it was never an issue, as flight crews by passed security. About the time I made Captain, they started sending us through with the passengers, and I got grilled (right in front of the passengers, no less) as to what those pills and liquids were, what diseases they treated, who prescribed them, how come I was flying if I was diseased, and finally how could I prove my medical waivers weren't counterfeit. All this from a bunch of pre-TSA minimum wage security twits. They wound up turning us over to Airport Police who called my company and told them to cancel the flight and send another crew to retrieve the plane, because this crew wasn't going anywhere. My FO and I sat there on hold until 9AM when the FAA Regional Offices opened and they could confirm we were legit. My FO got a thorough going over in the meantime, as she was 25, looked about 15, and didn't have a particularly respectful attitude toward these dweebs. These guys were convinced they'd caught a couple imposters. I'm with you, pbehn.They were the biggest bunch of pricks ever assembled in one airport.
Exactly how I feel about airport security, I just tell them I havnt a bomb or gun and they say "have a nice flight sir" and wave me through.
My last trip to PNG, I got explosives tested every airport I went through - both directions.
There's no way it's random, expecially when the security person told one of the crew to come through the gate after me...
I was on a flight (Teesside to Amsterdam) Security took the pilots aftershave off him as it was more than 200cl. No one was sure how to take it since if he wanted to crash the plane he doesn't need any sort of device at all. They were the biggest bunch of pricks ever assembled in one airport. Threatened my daughter with not flying if she didn't remove her cap, before she had chance to remove the cap. Poor kid was terrified.
I have medications I have to take daily, and when I started with the airline it was never an issue, as flight crews by passed security. About the time I made Captain, they started sending us through with the passengers, and I got grilled (right in front of the passengers, no less) as to what those pills and liquids were, what diseases they treated, who prescribed them, how come I was flying if I was diseased, and finally how could I prove my medical waivers weren't counterfeit. All this from a bunch of pre-TSA minimum wage security twits. They wound up turning us over to Airport Police who called my company and told them to cancel the flight and send another crew to retrieve the plane, because this crew wasn't going anywhere. My FO and I sat there on hold until 9AM when the FAA Regional Offices opened and they could confirm we were legit. My FO got a thorough going over in the meantime, as she was 25, looked about 15, and didn't have a particularly respectful attitude toward these dweebs. These guys were convinced they'd caught a couple imposters. I'm with you, pbehn.
Cheers,
Wes
In my case, I have had fist-hand experience with facemask starting with my time as an assistant to my step-dad, who was the chief entomologist/vector control for the United States Navy.
I (and I suspect, all of us) respect your experience. You're certainly no amateur. But I suggest this quirky virus requires an evolution away from the traditional mindset of self protection, especially since effectively protective masks are in short supply. We need to think of less than ideal masks as protecting others from us, and hope others behave accordingly. Every person is a potential vector and no one, no matter how "healthy" they are or appear to be is guaranteed to be non-infectious.So I am not talking out my ass.
I used to fly with a pilot who had been shot down three times flying Slicks in Vietnam. He had permanent shrapnel in his legs and titanium in his ankles, knees, and femur, and how he could light up the metal detector! We took delays and cancelled flights because the dorks wouldn't let him on the plane. Finally the company got the FAA to sign off on an x-ray he could carry around with him to show security folks he was legit. It had his x-ray image along with his Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and a waiver signed by the regional aeromedical examiner. Problem solved.My wife has metal in both hips, one shoulder and one ankle so should set the machines off every time.
Reminds me of a case donkeys years ago when I was still in uniform. I led a flight trials team, one member of whom was a highly experienced E-3 captain. It was the practice, for any overseas flights, that the service police would check bags prior to departure. My E-3 skipper gets in line and, like the rest of us, suffers the indignity of having a police corporal rummage through EVERYTHING. Conversation went something like this:
Corporal: "Aha!!!" (sensing he'd uncovered a heinous plot) "Sir, you can't take these nail clippers onboard."
Captain: "Why not?"
Corporal: "You could use them as a weapon and take control of the plane."
Captain: "I already have control of the plane. I'm flying the bluddy thing."
Corporal: "But, Sir, you could steal the aircraft."
Captain: "Corporal, I have the opportunity to steal an aircraft every working day of my life. I just sign the form to fly and off I go."
Corporal: "Well, I'm sorry, Sir, but rules are rules and you can't take these with you."
Captain shakes head in disbelief and walks away.
The Surgeon General of the U.S. did not come into that position by watching YouTube videos and listening to Facebook Physicians.
In my case, I have had fist-hand experience with facemask starting with my time as an assistant to my step-dad, who was the chief entomologist/vector control for the United States Navy. His office was at NWS Seal Beach and he also covered NAWS China Lake and NAD Fallbrook as well as advising at MCAS El Toro, USMC Camp Pendleton and the USN complex San Diego.
So I had to qualify for respiratory hazard coverage, which included insecticides, herbicides and biological (along with a pile of other stuff).
In the private sector, I have experience with wildlamd fire suppression, automotive bodywork (polyester resin and lead) as well as paint (acrylic lacquer and enamels) as well as fabrication - all of which require specific and often specialized filtration for respiratory protection.
So I am not talking out my ass.
Doh !Today in the house of commons, "Could the prime minister give a reason for these unexplained deaths" from the leader of the opposition.