It just absolutely boggles my mind that in this day and age people can be so naive!
I had the opportunity to do some traveling to New York a couple of months ago. I had a great time with friends and family. Everyone was sharp and knowledgeable about what was going on in the world. Then my trip came to an end and I had to fly home.
I went through security, just like everyone else - jacket off, computers out of the bag and into a tray, shoes off and in a tray, small liquids housed in a quart sized zip lock bag out of its place in my carry on and into a tray, scarf off and in the tray with my shoes, carry on bags on the belt... watching it go into the scanner I was on my way through the metal detector. No buzzes, no beeps, no pat-down, no x-ray, clean and simple. Everyone else on the medium length line knew the drill and proceeded in the same manner. Then the mad rush to get shoes, scarf, bags, computers, etc. back in the carry on luggage and making sure I didn't forget anything on the bench I wandered out of the Security area and into the shops so neatly placed between me and my gate. Finally I decided I would find a seat at the gate and wait for the flight to begin boarding. Neat and simple, nothing to write home about, nothing exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Until some woman comes along and is clearly not accustomed to flying. She looked a bit anxious and didn't quite know what to do with her food and bag.
Shortly before we were about to board she asks me to watch her luggage until she went to the bathroom. I said "No, I can't watch your luggage". Now clearly, in this day and age where there are so many drug dealers, terrorists, dishonest people in the world how could anyone even consider asking anyone that question. She got up in a huff, and was clearly annoyed with my answer. I should also state that I was the only blonde haired, blue eyed woman in the area - did I look like an easy target? She stood up, looked at me, and in her agitation asked, "Let me ask you something, are you from New York?" Then she went on to say how she travels for business all the time and she "Never had this happen before". I say that is a whole lot of horse manure! Seasoned travelers, especially business travelers know better than to pack so heavily and to even think of asking someone to watch their bags - No, I don't think so!
It boggles my mind, that in this day and age people are not more aware of protocol of asking people to watch things and thank goodness that I was not that "Air-Head Blonde" that said in a high-pitched "Barbiesque" voice "Oh sure thing!" for which, in my opinion, she was hoping. This is the perfect example in life where you need to "Just Say NO!"
(Thanks Nancy Reagan).
So warning and reminder to everyone - as I tell my children, their friends, their friends' brothers and sisters, and my students: Do Not take anything if it is offered to you from strangers, don't watch bags, don't hold packages, don't be the "nice guy" especially at the airport - you Never Know who or what you are dealing with or what trouble could be brewing. This is the 21st century and there really are evil people out there trying to find that one person that just might be kind enough to do what is perceived to be the right thing - but remember - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED/!
I had the opportunity to do some traveling to New York a couple of months ago. I had a great time with friends and family. Everyone was sharp and knowledgeable about what was going on in the world. Then my trip came to an end and I had to fly home.
I went through security, just like everyone else - jacket off, computers out of the bag and into a tray, shoes off and in a tray, small liquids housed in a quart sized zip lock bag out of its place in my carry on and into a tray, scarf off and in the tray with my shoes, carry on bags on the belt... watching it go into the scanner I was on my way through the metal detector. No buzzes, no beeps, no pat-down, no x-ray, clean and simple. Everyone else on the medium length line knew the drill and proceeded in the same manner. Then the mad rush to get shoes, scarf, bags, computers, etc. back in the carry on luggage and making sure I didn't forget anything on the bench I wandered out of the Security area and into the shops so neatly placed between me and my gate. Finally I decided I would find a seat at the gate and wait for the flight to begin boarding. Neat and simple, nothing to write home about, nothing exciting, nothing out of the ordinary. Until some woman comes along and is clearly not accustomed to flying. She looked a bit anxious and didn't quite know what to do with her food and bag.
Shortly before we were about to board she asks me to watch her luggage until she went to the bathroom. I said "No, I can't watch your luggage". Now clearly, in this day and age where there are so many drug dealers, terrorists, dishonest people in the world how could anyone even consider asking anyone that question. She got up in a huff, and was clearly annoyed with my answer. I should also state that I was the only blonde haired, blue eyed woman in the area - did I look like an easy target? She stood up, looked at me, and in her agitation asked, "Let me ask you something, are you from New York?" Then she went on to say how she travels for business all the time and she "Never had this happen before". I say that is a whole lot of horse manure! Seasoned travelers, especially business travelers know better than to pack so heavily and to even think of asking someone to watch their bags - No, I don't think so!
It boggles my mind, that in this day and age people are not more aware of protocol of asking people to watch things and thank goodness that I was not that "Air-Head Blonde" that said in a high-pitched "Barbiesque" voice "Oh sure thing!" for which, in my opinion, she was hoping. This is the perfect example in life where you need to "Just Say NO!"
(Thanks Nancy Reagan).
So warning and reminder to everyone - as I tell my children, their friends, their friends' brothers and sisters, and my students: Do Not take anything if it is offered to you from strangers, don't watch bags, don't hold packages, don't be the "nice guy" especially at the airport - you Never Know who or what you are dealing with or what trouble could be brewing. This is the 21st century and there really are evil people out there trying to find that one person that just might be kind enough to do what is perceived to be the right thing - but remember - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED/!
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