Do you believe in it??? I know some despise profiling but it does serve a purpose. In our attempt as a country to be PC, profiling has got a bad rap (rightfully so in a few cases).

My opinion: Profiling serves a purpose. For instance, the FBI uses it to identify serial killers and they are usually right. Profiling terrorists groups is good under certain circumstances. As an example, no 75 year old black women in a wheelchair has been known to carry bombs on planes. Therefore, we probably don't need to hassle her at the airport.

Your thoughts?

A 75 year old black woman in a wheelchair is the perfect person to use to smuggle a bomb onto a plane.

I liked "Criminal Minds" better when Mandy Patinkin was on the show. He has an excellent Broadway background. He originated the character of Che in "Evita".

Recently, my briefcase was flagged for a manual search at the airport.

After clearing security I asked "what" in my bag triggered the additional scrutiny (so I could avoid carrying it in the future).

"USB drives sir........you had two USB drives" (little thumb drives).

I thanked her and told her that I would be packing my deadly drives in my checked baggage in the future.

Andy: I've been singled out for a personal search of my body (by wand) when I was in uniform and using my military ID card. Granted, terrorists could dress as old black ladies in wheelchairs and active duty military. But, they haven't so far wo why does TSA continue to hassle them?

I think all TSA, and other security agents (FBI, police etc.), should be trained in profiling.

Maybe I would feel different about that if I fit the description of some "targeted" profile. I don't know.

I have been stopped by the police and questioned because I fit the description of a suspect from a robbery. Didn't bother me one bit. I have been selected at the airport for the pat down search and had my bags opened and searched. They were doing there job.

If someone does not want to be searched or have their bags search, don't fly (or do a private charter).

Sometimes old black ladies in wheelchairs need to be hassled just to keep them in line. Let them know we're watching.

I was recently stopped by two airport police officers (not TSA) as I was exiting a flight. They wanted to know my name and see some ID so I showed them my drivers license.

At baggage claim the same two officers stopped me again and asked for ID. Almost immediately they said "Did we already talk to you?" I said "Yes, but I'll show you a different ID and see if you recognize the name!" and I produced my passport this time. They said I matched the description and I asked "Tall and tired?" and we all got a good laugh out of it. I then pointed out a suspicious 75 year old black lady in a wheelchair and then went about my business.

Thanks alot HD.

That 75 year old black lady in a wheelchair was ME.

That wand they search you with is BIG.

And cold.

Would it kill them to warm it up first?

Chiefburg-

"Granted, terrorists could dress as old black ladies in wheelchairs and active duty military. But, they haven’t so far wo why does TSA continue to hassle them?

"

What was Hasan wearing at Fort Hood?

Complacency kills.

A TSA chick gave me a hand job...

^oooh.......betcha THAT hurt!!!

Wheel, doesn't TSA refer to that as investigative probing?

I hope you won.

Waves - Not buying it completely. I do understand the sentiment though.

I fly out of Oxnard from time to time. One day, an old woman (80?) was going through security. She had arthritis so bad she was having difficulty getting her ID out. The TSA refused to help and let her struggle. Also took her a long time to get her shoes and coat off and held the line up for nearly 10 minutes. On another trip, an elderly gentleman with a mentally retarded 40ish daughter did the same thing. Took forever to clear security. And, it was clear these folks weren't terrorists. Could they have been terrorists? Yes. But, it's also possible they were Jesus or the anti-Christ in disguise.....

We are not in Iraq, Korea or the Middle East and I understand the rules of complacency. But, we need to use some common sense as well. Frankly, we are not even catching all the terrorists getting on planes. In this case, profiling works.

The Fort Hood indicident: Would profiling have picked him out of a crowd? Surprisingly, yes! Just sayin'. Feel free (anyone) to call me a racist and how their civil rights are being violated. Seems my civil rights are violated as well since I get singled out for search with no probable cause.

Just calling it like I see it.

Chiefburg,

I agree with you that it serves a purpose in certain situations. I also agree that a common sense approach should be utilized in certain environments, as opposed to an environment of sheer survival.

I am in no way indicating that you have a prejudice point of view in regards to profiling, but I am saying that the smart lttle bastids create cause for concern in certain cases. Jihad Jane ring a bell? She does look distrubed, but could you have spotted her at Fort Hood, an airport, Starbucks?

Waves - Here's something a little funny. I do travel a bit and I took a two week trip out of LAX last summer. After about a week at my destination, I was digging through my computer bag looking for a command coin. While trying to find the coin I found a 4" Spyderco knife in the bag. This bag made it through xray at LAX.

My faith that TSA can find a terrorist is pretty slim. After all, I had the knife and still didn't get caught. Yet, the crippled 80 year old is harrassed when it's really clear they are probably not a threat.

No, I wasn't suggesting you'd call me a racist but I was waiting for the onslaught from those who think profiling is a racist issue, not a security issue.

My sister and brother-in-law joined us on our recent vacation. My sister has RA since she was 13. Had hip replacement surgery on both hips (multiple times!) and both knees. Her hands are gnarled and she struggles to turn her head and lift her arms because her shoulders are frozen.

Both flights, she had to get 'wanded' because the metal in her hips sets off the detector. Fortunately, both times the TSAs were extremely nice and helpful. But just watching what she went through was aggravating. That she's lived with this debilitating disease for so long and then has to be subjected to these searches, right out in the open where everyone can see, annoys the hell out of me.

We should do more Profiling.......

Charlie

^ Charlie: I would agree. Profiling isn't the answer to everything but it does have its place and we should use it to our advantage if necessary.

we have to be the only country in the world that is to afraid to enforce their laws because it might "offend" someone.....that is the REAL problem

tsa should be schooled in profiling.....

police should be schooled in profiling.....

border patrol should be schooled in profiling....

not racial but criminal profiling...there is a difference