Prank…or Terrorism…Part Two
Before I get started with the new post, let me add something about the first installment. In no way was I trying to make light or be critical of the lady who opted not to climb the stairs. At the time, there didn’t appear to be any immediate threat and there were additional doors not too far away to offer a possible exit. My only concern by taking that set of doors was it appeared they would lead back into the building…and we were trying to get out.
With that said, if it had been an actual emergency, I would have made sure that everyone in my group got up those steps one way or another - or I literally would have died trying. Now, let’s get on with Part Two.
So I arrive at the airport on Sunday morning with quite a bit of time to kill before my flight home. I’m at my assigned gate and I’m one of the first to take a seat in the gate waiting area. Soon, other passengers begin to filter in. A man who looks to be in his early to mid 50’s sits across from me and a little later another man in his 50’s sits about four seats to my left. Then a young woman who appears to be in her early to mid 20’s sits about five seats down from the man sitting across from me.
The men are reading the paper, the young woman is on her phone, and I’m listening to my Ipod and watching life pass by. While we wait, the usual announcements of flights currently boarding and ”don’t accept items from people you don’t know” are being broadcast.
Soon, another man appears and approaches the young woman. I couldn’t hear what he said to her, but I saw her hesitate, then nod. The man sets down a canvas briefcase-type carrier and a smaller canvas satchel on the chair next to her. Then he walks away.
Once again, cop mode kicks in. (I must be in cop mode a lot more often than I realize!) Anyway, I’m thinking to myself, Darn, I wish I’d heard what he said to her. I hope she knows that guy and isn’t accepting luggage from a stranger. The young woman seems unconcerned as she flips open her phone and makes another call.
I’m uncomfortable with the situation, so I decide to move away from the woman and the luggage. I go across the room to the next gate over where I can clearly see the woman and watch to see when/if the man returns. While I’m watching, my mind is racing. My first thought is the guy may be a terrorist and he’s just left some kind of explosive device with the young lady. Or, is this guy traveling with the woman? Did he asked her if she wanted something to eat or drink and she hesitated with her reply because she wasn’t sure if she was thirsty? Then I got to thinking about the man approaching her in particular. There were the other two men and myself - all of us more easily accessible than the young woman. Did he approach her because knew her, or did he single her out because she was young and distracted and less likely to refuse to ”watch” his luggage? Or, did he just think she was cute and wanted to meet her?
The man did return - no food, no drink. He did sit next to the young lady and they did talk briefly, but my gut impression was they were strangers. But the question to be asked is: Could this have been a test by terrorists to see how willing people are to go against common sense and security measures and “watch” the luggage of strangers? Or was it a co-worker of the woman who asked her to watch his stuff while he used the restroom? Was it her boyfriend and they were having a fight so they weren’t talking much to one another?
Now I’m sure a lot of you are thinking, why didn’t you just go ask the woman if she knew the guy. It’s a very good question and I did - however I had to wait until we gathering in groups to board the flight. The man was sitting right next to her right up until we boarded and, on the chance he was up to no good, I didn’t want to tip him off I was suspicious. Once we were getting ready to board he moved away and I did ask her if she knew him. Once again she hesitated, and then said “yes”. I think she was reacting to my official “cop face,” because my intincts tell me that she was lying. If I could do the whole thing over again, I would have asked her the moment the man left her with his luggage. And I kick myself for not doing so. Obviously nothing happened on the flight and I am grateful.
But my question is this: Why, in this day and age would someone go against security measures set in place to keep us safe? My theory is this…I think the young woman knew better. I think she was caught by surprise. So my suggestion to all of you is to think about and know what you will say if a stranger comes up to you and says, “My son is five and is in the restroom by himself. Would you please watch my luggage while I go get him?” (Or any other excuse someone might give). I think the perfect reply is, “Oh, no, I’m sorry, it’s against airport regulations. However, I’m sure if you take your luggage to the clerk at the counter, they’ll be happy assist you.” Then find an airline or airport official and notify them of the person trying to leave their luggage with a stranger.
One final thing…When I did arrive back in L.A., I contacted “people who might be interested” about my observations and gave them what information I could…’cause ya just never know.
Until next time;
KMA367
July 25th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Hi, Kathy. I’ve posted a link to your posts on this topic on my blog. Very insightful, and thanks for doing this.
Take care,
TJB
July 26th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Kathy,
I think I was a cop in a former life. LOL. I’m very suspicious of people/odd situations. The policewoman in me is always watching. (I blame Angie Dickenson. )
Great posts. Lots to think about.
Thanks,
D’Anne
July 26th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Thanks T.J. I’m afraid that, as a country, we’ve forgotten the aftermath of 9-11 and how we were all “watching”. Now, it’s pretty much business as usual. I can tell you for a fact there are people plotting against the USA and NONE of us can or should let our guard down.
July 26th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Nothing wrong with that. It works great if you have kids too!
Does anyone remember the TV show Honey West? I think she was a PI…whatever she was, she was my first “cop” role model. Ah yes, then Angie Dickenson in Policewoman…my favorite female cop.
July 26th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Thanks for the informative article, Kathy. Since I’ve lived with a law enforcement officer for over 40 years, I could pretty much see how your mind worked in those situations. It really is a shame that most people would agree to watch someone’s luggage that they didn’t know, or just met when there are announcements constantly being made at the airports, train and bus stations. I think people just want to believe that bad things won’t happen to good people. And we know that’s not the way it is. Sad but true.
July 26th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Whenever I’m in a situation where I question if there is or going to be a problem, I go ahead and ask anyway. I’d rather be wrong and a little embarrassed than be right & have done nothing. Case in point-I was driving down my street to the grocery store with my mom & spotted a boy I knew talking to a man in a car (the car was stopped going the wrong way) I stopped just past the car and called the boy by name (he recognized me) he came to my passenger window & I asked him if he knew the man in the car. I made sure my voice was calm & matter of fact because I didn’t want to scare the boy. He told me that it was his dad. Yes I was VERY embarrassed I hadn’t recognized his dad, but I backed up a little & told the dad what I had done. Not only did he thank me profusely for inquiring about his son’s safety, the next day his wife (a teacher @ my son’s school) also thanked me and told me how impressed they were that I had taken the time to make sure their son was safe.
Had it been MY son talking to a strange man in a car I would have wanted that couple to inquire and insert themselves into the situation. You can NEVER be too safe. Follow your insticts and don’t be afraid to be wrong, after all the addage ‘It’s better to be safe than sorry.’ is more true now than ever.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Ann;
That’s why I’m writing about this incident. It’s very concerning to me that many folks have become so complacent. In this case, the woman watching the luggage was so young, she was probably a young teenager at best on 9-11, so she may not remember/understand the magnitude of the event or the possibilities of her own actions.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Beth;
Great work! That is exactly the kind of involvment I’m talking about. I wish everyone was as observant.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Kathy what you say is sooo true. However, I would have done what that woman did and without thought to something untoward happening. I have MS and often ask strangers for help when I’m traveling. I have never been turned down. So I, in turn, am very quick to help a stranger if I can. I just pray my angels are paying attention when I do something really stupid!
July 27th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Whoo! I feel better. I would never watch anyone else’s luggage.
The reason people women and in particular young women are asked to do these things is because women tend to want to help and younger women have a hard time telling someone no.
I still need to work on my reaction to alarms, but I feel better that I am not so helpful that I go against the security warnings.
However, if you spend any time in an airport at all, the announcements are never any different. They say the same thing over and over and become background noise. If these announcements are truly supposed to be important, then someone should think about how the announcements could be changed up, made more exciting and certainly not as rote sounding as they become when you sit there for an hour or more. Not to mention that frequently I can barely understand what is being said anyway. The sound systems in most airports are horrible.
I think we as individuals need to be more aware, but the people who are charged with safety need to think more about what they do, too.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
“The reason people women and in particular young women are asked to do these things is because women tend to want to help and younger women have a hard time telling someone no.”
Should be “The reason people ask women….”
July 28th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Nina;
Okay, I see where you’re coming from. I can see that you might need assistance while traveling. And while I do understand your feelings of wanting to help others, I would just ask you to be especially cautious with what others ask you to do.
I really “get” the idea of angels watching when we do something stupid. I’ve had a number of those moments at work…and my angels WERE watching!
July 28th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Maria;
I couldn’t agree with you more about the warning announcements. Not only is the message “the same old thing”, but you are also right that the sound systems are usually lousy. However…knowing that most people aren’t listening to the announcements anymore, it only highlights the fact we, as a country and individually, MUST be more vigilant.
August 1st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Great post, Kathy! I admit I am totally suspicious of people. My dh says I always think the worst, and by turn I think he lets people take advantage of him because he’s so nice. I guess we balance each other out! LOL And I’m not a cop!
Still, I wonder, if someone approached me, what I’d do. I’m Canadian and we’re always saying sorry and trying to do the proper/polite thing. WHile my mind would scream no, I wonder if I’d respond like the young girl. I’d like to think I’d come up with an excuse.
And I did notice the announcements re leaving the bags. Again, I think because I’m Canadian and I don’t remember hearing that at all in our airports on the way there. Only in BWI on the way home.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Kathy,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts, and had to admit to myself that I have done this very thing at the airport and not even thought about it. I mean isn’t it easier to accept when a kind person offers to watch your luggage while you visit the bathroom? How trusting we are as a society. Thank you for reminding me to be more alert and discerning — not to mention obeying the laws at the airport.
Sandra
(You probably remember me as Sandy Brown at OCC. I was the Ways & Means Director for 2 years.)