Roger Bonsant

Mrs. Field

LNG 405

8 December 2010

The Importance of National Security

It was nearly ten o'clock at night, and I found myself in a line that spanned the entire

airport entrance to find out what happened to the 11 o'clock Atlanta flight, which was nowhere to

be seen on the flight list. It was easy to sense the anger and confusion in the air, and some were

even loudly complaining. Why it was no one could act in a reasonable and mature fashion, I

didn't understand. Surely it must be understood that such a complicated thing as air travel comes

with setbacks. If there was a flight delay every day, it could only be attributed to these wild and

chaotic travelers. What an ungrateful bunch of people!

After leaving my baggage and presenting my I.D, I made my way to the waiting area

with my new 12 o'clock ticket. The large television screen on display was detailing the security

measures established to guarantee our safety. Would you believe, some travelers were even

complaining about that! While taking a seat at the nearest bench for a quick rest, I overheard a

loud man shouting at the security officer...

“Why are you traveling to New York?”

“Well, aside from my family and career, I'm really not sure,” the man replied.

“There's no reason to get smart with me, pal! Just answer my questions so we can process

everyone faster”.
 “Interstate travel isn't regulated in the U.S and I'm not required to answer that, sir. I've

shown you my I.D, what else do you want?!”

It was easy to tell that he was causing trouble, because another security guard quickly

made his way to the scene.

The officer who had just arrived demanded to know what was going on, to which the

other agent replied that the traveler was being uncooperative. The irate man spoke again, but was

soon enough put in hand cuffs and taken to the side. There was something about being imposed

with charges of disorderly conduct, and a few resistant noises, and then the voices faded away as

order was quickly restored. I was glad hear it, because he obviously deserved it. I decided it was

best to go on, and so I proceeded to the line that would lead me to the flight area. At the end of

the security check was a full-body scan. I heard still more bickering. It was near time for me to

walk past, when there was yet another disturbance.

“What is the meaning of this?”, a young woman asked.

“We will need you to remove your shirt ma'am. Please step aside.”

“You have no right nor jurisdiction to have me do anything!”

“Ma'am if you don't comply you will be placed under arrest.”

“But you're in violation of my rights! The 4th amendment protects my rights against

unreasonable searches without a permi--”

“We've got another one Rich!”

Another officer walked over and told the lady one more time that refusing to comply with

TSA security measure would result in her not being able to board her flight.
 And once again, I found myself waiting for yet another uncooperative traveler to be dealt

with. She kept on citing something from the constitution until she was led out of the area by

several TSA agents. Another passenger walks through.

“Ma'am, will you have your son walk over here?”

“Excuse me?”, a middle-aged woman asked.

“We will need to perform a pat down on this individual to ensure the safety of American

airlines.”

“But, but he's only a boy! Surely he poses no threat to national security!”

“That is yet to be seen. Please have him come here. Hey kid, come on...”

Though it surprised me that they suspected such a young boy, they obviously had good

reason. In fact, slipping a bomb past security with a child would be a master terrorist plot. It was

good to see that they cared so much for our safety, to think of even the most unlikely case

scenario. They proceeded to strip the child down to his underwear, followed by a pat-down. The

TSA agents reviewed something on their computer screen, and told the woman that he was

unable to board the flight.

“What? You can't be serious?!”, the mother said outrageously.

“Your son is on the no-fly list—we cannot allow a risk to National Security board a

flight”.

It was most irritating to see the mother garner support from the crowd. It seemed

everybody wanted to question the very men and women who protected our well-being! If they

wanted to board a flight with a possible terrorist, that was their problem. The mother began to

sob, while her and the child escorted. I proceeded after them, and found myself complying with
a safety pat down after being processed through the full-body scanner. Apparently, someone

needed to show these people how to respect authority. I can't remember much after this. Next

thing I know, I'm being asked whether I had any anti-American sentiments, and whether I might

pose a threat to airport security. I answered to their demands safely enough, I think. I never did

see my family in Atlanta that weekend. Unbeknownst to myself, I was a danger to the American

people! Good thing they caught me. There's no telling what terror I might have accidentally

inflicted had I been allowed on that plane. If it weren't for these hardworking men and woman,

our air planes would be blowing up left and right. Just look at all the terrorists that have been

stopped by the TSA! Wait a minute...do you know of any?