The No Fly Watch List [View All]

[Eric J in MN]

I'm not completely against the idea of a No Fly Watch List.

If there is a valid reaon to suspect someone is planning to blow up a plane, but the authorities don't want to arrest him yet because they are learning about his accomplices through surveillence, then he should be on a list where he is more thoroughly searched for explosives.

But people on the list should be able to find out why, and to have their names removed if there is no valid reason. (If they want to make exceptions for non-US citizens and to delay informing people by six months in case they are on the verge of exposing accomplices, that might be reasonable.)

The federal government shouldn't be able to put a US citizen on the "No Fly Watch List," and never tell him why. Should he be told six months after he files for that information, a year later, two years? That is debatable, but a citizen seeking that information should be told eventually.

The "No Fly Watch List" can have a chilling effect on free speech. People don't know if engaging in dissent can put them on the list, or what is going on. Every government power need to be subject to checks-and-balances.

« The Best Way to Protect Against Hijackings »

They should re-model planes to include a bathroom at the front for the pilots, and completely seal off the front of the plane. This would make hijackings of a flight-in-progress extremely difficult. Currently, the cockpit doors are opened whenever a pilot needs to pee. Sealing off the front of the plane would do much more for security than the "No Fly Watch List."


From http://www.speakspeak.org/speak-blog/2006/01/07/welcome-to-the-no-fly-watch-list/