Going through airport security with a nametag is a fascinating experience.
One time a particularly cranky and compliant agent asked if my nametag was embroidered onto my shirt. Just for fun, I told her that I wore it because if I died, the police would have an easier time identifying the body.
Wrong thing to say.
She stared at me, emotionless, for five seconds – then told me I had been randomly selected for addition screening.
Woops.
Meanwhile, two weeks later I was traveling through the same airport. When they called my boarding group, I approached the gate to scan my ticket. And right as the machine beeped, the agent stopped me abruptly, pointed to my chest and asked:
“Hang on, why does your nametag say Scott?”
“Um. Because that’s my name…?”
“Really. Then can you explain why your boarding pass says Kurt?”
“What?”
“Sir, your boarding pass says ‘Kurt Gransberg.’”
“Who the is that?”
“You tell me.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never heard that name in my life.”
Unbeknownst to me – and unbeknownst to the astute staff of the Transportation Security Administration – I had cleared three security checkpoints wearing a nametag that didn’t match the name on my ticket.
They made me exit the terminal, check in again, get in line again, go through security again – and refused to hold the plane for me.
I ended up missing my flight.
And they say that our safety is their priority.
Horseshit.
Their priority is to violate the fourth amendment.
Their priority is to humiliate and grope harmless people
Their priority is to reduce our liberty a little more each day.
Their priority is to protect the assets of the airline industry.
Their priority is to promote the illusion of safety and security.
Their priority is to convince us that they’re actually doing something to protect us.
If you see something, say something?
Well, I see something.
And I’m saying something.
LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How do you give people proof?
LET ME SUGGEST THIS…
For a list called, “18 Lessons from 18 People Smarter Than Me,” send an email to me, and you win the list for free!
* * * *
Scott Ginsberg
That Guy with the Nametag
Author, Speaker, Publisher, Artist, Mentor
[email protected]
“After investing in your mentoring program, I’ve become centered on who I am and what I have to offer. Now, I am attracting clients I want to work with. Life is great and I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
–Melanie Jatsek, Diet Busters
Rent Scott’s brain today.