Tuesday, June 07, 2011
A cruise experience that shouldn't happen
The elderly British passengers aboard the 72-day cruise that stopped in
Los Angeles had all previously submitted their ESTA immigration forms
for entry to 15 U.S. ports along their journey from Europe, the Arctic,
Central and South America, and Alaska. What happened next was beyond
bizarre, as the 2,000 passengers had to go through a 7 hour ordeal of
finger printing and eye scans by U.S. immigration officials at the L.A.
port. The delay forced the cruise line to cancel a scheduled stop in
Honduras. Did they think that these elderly Brits were somehow
undercover terrorist operatives? Just think what they'll tell their
family and friends when they get home. 
Photo:
ALAMY
Read
the full story here.
The Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), which is now trying to unionize, has a tarnished reputation as
well of being intrusive with going beyond what is necessary to ensure
airport security.
In promoting the U.S. as a destination for
world travelers, our security officials need to tone down the Big
Brother mindset, learn how to smile, and take a public relations course.