Travel woes and political fiascos

Houses on Telegraph Hill, overlooking San Francisco Bay.

For those of us traveling this summer, guess it's small consolation to know even airline pilots have to endure over-the-top behaviour from airport security personnel, now wearing fake shiny badges.

An excerpt from Patrick Smith's article in Salon:

"...This inconvenient rule is in place because of another inconvenient rule, the one that makes connecting passengers claim and recheck their luggage when arriving from places outside the United States -- even though their bags have already been screened at the point of departure. The thinking is that people could unpack this or that dangerous item from a checked suitcase -- a 4-ounce bottle of shampoo, say -- then carry it onto the next flight.

"So, together with a throng of exhausted passengers, most of whom are rushing to catch connections, I'm funneled into the grimy, dimly-lit checkpoint. I hoist my luggage -- my black flight case, my backpack and a roll-aboard suitcase -- onto the X-ray belt, then pass through the metal detector. Once on the other side, I'm waiting for my stuff to reappear when suddenly the belt comes to a stop. "Bag check!" shouts the guard behind the monitor."

I can't count the number of times I've missed domestic flight connections at Hartsfield International in Atlanta - even with two hours between time of arrival and connecting flight departure - because of the extremely long lines and slowness of security personnel. In May, I arrived in Atlanta, grabbed my luggage, took it through customs, then headed straight to another airline security point, where I handed over my luggage for the connecting flight to Savannah.

Then I got in line for another security check, before being allowed to leave the terminal and catch my connnecting flight. At least 500 people were already in line, most of them exhausted after all-night flights. I wanted to take a picture of the line which snaked around 16 rows - and the man in a security uniform herding people through, like cattle - but figured security would question me - and I'd never make my connection!

Later that month I flew from San Francisco to Vancouver, British Columbia. Never have I been treated so badly at any airport, even in Third World countries known for rough treatment of passengers. The Canadian Customs officers treated me with suspicion from the moment I arrived, asking a hundred questions about who I was going to meet, did I have their home addresses and telephone numbers, how did I know my friends, where was I staying, etc., etc. This questioning - in a hostile, brusque manner - went on for several minutes. They certainly didn't make me feel welcome; by the time they were finished, I was wishing I'd stayed in San Francisco!

At least next week's flight is direct from Paris to San Francisco, so no worries about connections. Here's hoping your summer travels go smoothly, without mishaps or hassles!

The Bay Bridge at twilight.

Presidential campaign follies

Ten more reasons - just this week! - why John McCain should not be president. Please, if you have even for a moment considered voting for Sen. McCain, read this piece and watch the video of McCain speaking. And here's a list of 61 issues about which McCain has changed his position (aka flip-flopping).

This makes light of the fiasco that is our government.

And here's yet another scandal involving the Bush White House - caught on tape!

Southern Poverty Law Center fights for workers' rights

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is embroiled in a battle for the rights of farmworkers who have been cheated out of their pay by a subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce. The company is a $3.4 billion food giant, but its subsidiary is trying to hide behind third-party labor contractors — or "field bosses" — who repeatedly shortchanged hundreds of hard-working men and women who put in long days in the scorching onion fields of South Georgia.

The SPLC is suing Del Monte Fresh Produce Southeast for cheating approximately 500 migrant farmworkers out of their legal wages. When the workers were cheated on payday, Del Monte claimed they weren't responsible, blaming an independent "labor contractor."

The SPLC calls Del Monte's actions a "shocking violation of the workers' rights. We must send a powerful message to Del Monte Fresh Produce Southeast and other employers who'd like to wash their hands of responsibility for the abuse of their workers." The SPLC went to court and won the first round of the legal battle against Del Monte. Next, the SPLC must prove how and to what extent its clients were cheated.

Please stand with the workers and make your voice heard. Tell Fresh Del Monte Produce to do the right thing and insure its subsidiary pay workers what they are owed.

Passive-aggressive notes

For anyone who's ever had run-ins with roommates or annoying co-workers, these notes may make you smile.

Comments

[Rosa]

Ugh. Airline travel these days is for the birds (and birds only). I shudder each time I have to take a flight somewhere. Driving is a hassle, but I sure love the solitude and freedom of my car these days even on long tedious drives.

[Michelle]

I clicked on comments just to say how surprised I was to be pulled out of a line (a round, small middle aged woman) and searched in Vancouver a few years ago. All of my other experiences—including my incoming—had been so pleasant.

But when I read Christine's comment, I have something else to say.

We are in a depression. For those of us who make our livings in the marketing industry, we know that the losses from the dotcom bubble burst (which it should have) plus 9/11 have never been regained. Here in Atlanta, the building industry had kept the economy synthetically propped up.

ECONOMIC Policy change is what we need. As long as you look at taxes through tunnel vision, you will never understand how the White House sets the course. Individuals with the highest incomes and large corporations do not pay their fair share under Republican policies. TRICKLE DOWN economics was appropriately characterized by George Bush I as "voodoo economics," yet it is so popular with the upper 1% incomes because all they see is less taxes.

Taxes insure that money stays in circulation. The über rich do not spend more because they don't have to pay taxes—they hoard. When they are avoiding taxes they invest in small businesses and new technologies; they donate to universities, churches, and non-profit organizations of all sorts—enabling them to do their good works—employing more people.

This keeps more money flowing and the rich actually get richer as more employed people buy more stuff, making businesses more profitable and investments more valuable.

Not to mention the infrastructure gets maintained and improved. The rising tide lifts all boats.

I am most terrified that the current regime is trying to spark war on another front just to try to ensure that they get McCain elected. A man whose only experience is war and readily admits to knowing nothing about the economy.

[Krupo]

Americans, as a country, can easily survive with taxes going 5 or 10% higher. I say that as a Canadian, of course, where we do just fine, and have our health care taken care of.

Speaking as a Canadian again, though, I'm sorry to hear about the fiasco you went through. My international landings are in Toronto - but then, I'm a citizen, so maybe I don't get to experience the full jerk treatment they give others.

My opinion of Vancouver's airport is already very low though, given that a Polish man was tasered to death there last year. :(

[Christine]

I hate to play devil's advocate here, but after the government decided to help Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac I don't see how anyone is going to save Social Security, pay for the war or the next natural disaster. Out taxes are going to go through the roof and this recession is going to turn into a depression. Right now I still am undecided on who to vote for because neither candidate is going to do much in their presumptive 4 years in office. This war should have been ended already. I pray something happens to help me decide who to vote for because it is horrible not really caring anymore who is president. Plus, Obama picking a football stadium for a his nomination speech is really turning me off from voting for him as a feminist and as a realist.

[A Fanciful Twist]

It just seems so incredbile... Like things get worse and worse... That is why i don't go anywhere... I don't believe my petite temperament (did I say petite ?? hee hee) would handle the airport interrogation and such... Yucky!! xoxoxo

[My Mélange]

No airplane travels for us this year either.

We have decided to stay local and take several 4 day weekends instead.

We just did Newport, RI for July 4th and we are planning a Vermont weekend in October, as well as a camping trip with friends in the fall.

I need a break for the airlines for a while- and I have sticker shock when looking at some of the airline prices anyway!!

Happy Travels Tara.

Say hi to San Fran for me :)

[Laura]

Dear Tara, I'm so sorry you've had such unpleasantness in your travels. It's an unsettling summer on so many fronts, isn't it?
Still, love and hugs to you,
Laura

[Kay Cooke]

I hope this time you have a better reception!

[Gemma]

You pics are stunning as always! I am amazed about the behaviour of Candadian customs officials. They sound like judge and jury! Good luck in future travels! I'm enjoying your wanders!

[rochambeau]

I'm putting good thoughts out for you Tara for SMOOTH ~ SAILING! All the way to your fun adventure!
Your photo's.......sublime!
Thank you for bringing to my attention the SPLC!
xox
Constance

[AscenderRisesAbove]

what lovely sf images; the bay bridge shot -- very nice (though to me could not be any more scary to drive over!)

and wow; those passive aggressive notes... can't imagine how it would be to get up and find one of those signs in my yard!

[Jeanie]

We decided to drive to Rick's trade show in S.Carolina this summer instead of deal with extra baggage charges, high rates, and bad service. It may end up costing nearly as much but at least you feel more in control. (And a little side trip isn't bad, either!)