J.O. Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Qantas Boss Tells Of Encounter With Incredibly Dense US Security Guard "But You're A Woman" Qantas chairman Margaret Jackson revealed at a Beijing Conference this week that she was briefly suspected of being a terrorist by a TSA screener during a visit last year to the United States. That isn't all that unusual -- everyone from senators to four-year-old children have come under the watchful eye of airport security -- but the reason she was suspected is something different, and disturbing to anyone who believes we've come a long way since the days of "Leave It To Beaver." See, Jackson is a woman -- which, according to the wunderkind who screened her baggage and found detailed plans of new aircraft, makes it hard to believe she is also chairman of a major international airline. "The guy said 'Why have you got all of this?'," Jackson told the conference, speaking of the screener's discovery of seating diagrams in her baggage. "And I said, 'I'm the chairman of an airline, I'm the chairman of Qantas'. "And this guy, who was like eight foot tall, said, 'but you're a woman.'" Jackson finally proved her identity to the guard... in part, by writing a note to him on her Qantas letterhead stating "Dear Bill, this is from the chairman of Qantas, who is a woman." The Qantas chairman related the tale after a Chinese journalist complained that airport security at Australian airports was the most difficult around... after the US. Jackson was in Beijing to promote Qantas' resumed service to the Chinese city, after pulling out of the market in the late 1990s due to low demand. That is no longer an issue, as tourism and business links should more than fill the seats on the airline's three flights per week between Sydney and Beijing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon The Loon Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 "But You're A Woman" Jeff: I really wish I'd had the chance to work with you this winter. We met just briefly prior to my going back into the international contract world. Your sense of humour targets safety and security issues like nobody else's. Keep it up, Sir! Reductio ad absurdum. Or keep hitting them on the head until they get it. [The oh-so-unfortunate REAL safety directive...] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 It took me a minute, but if memory serves correctly, Sonia introduced us one day in the office. I didn't realize you had moved on to another contract. I'd love to hear more about it when you have a minute. You can send me a PM or email me at work. Take care, Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon The Loon Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 ..but if memory serves correctly, Sonia introduced us one day in the office... Guilty as charged! Wilco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanishing point Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 When you ask a screener why the police IDs aren't checked, the response is 'cus they have a gun'. Great! People with guns can go anywhere. Hint to terrorsit, go through security dressed as a cop. I think it is "illegal" to challenge a "peace officer". I know of a tale wherby a security screener was almost arrested in YYZ for challenging a police officer. If they are to be checked, it is to be by another peace officer. I have no credible evidence that it actually took place. I'm just relaying a story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Powick Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 I know of a tale wherby a security screener was almost arrested in YYZ for challenging a police officer. I have no credible evidence that it actually took place. I'm just relaying a story. Your story is correct. It was a female TSA who asked a cop for ID...she landed in the doo-doo for it. Made headlines in Hog-town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Financial Guy Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 Your story is correct. It was a female TSA who asked a cop for ID...she landed in the doo-doo for it. Made headlines in Hog-town. Trust me, the female TSA who landed in "doo-doo" in YYZ was nicely compensated for her "unfortunate incident" when the dust finally settled. Hush, hush Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.