After 9/11, there were many changes made to insure our safety mos
t of which had to do with airport security. The Department of Homeland Security, given the task of protecting the security of the American homeland, made it its mission to crack down on anything that could make the terrorists prosper. One of the largest divisions of the DHS is the Transportation Security Administration, better known as the TSA. Now that I've given you a mini history lesson, I'll tell you the reason behind the lesson.
t of which had to do with airport security. The Department of Homeland Security, given the task of protecting the security of the American homeland, made it its mission to crack down on anything that could make the terrorists prosper. One of the largest divisions of the DHS is the Transportation Security Administration, better known as the TSA. Now that I've given you a mini history lesson, I'll tell you the reason behind the lesson. This week, Michael was traveling home from Omaha. When he's not traveling in Europe, he spends a lot of time in Omaha with some of his friends who have rented a house there. They're graduates of the University of Nebraska and Omaha seemed like a good place to stay when they were in the states. Earlier in the year, while in Omaha, Michael had played in a poker tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is very close to Omaha. He came in second place in that tournament and won about $95,000.00. The casino paid him with chips that he could cash in at any time. Since he had only cashed out some of them, he decided to cash in the rest this week as he wasn't sure he would get back to Omaha anytime soon.
He was supposed to fly home on Tuesday night and made it as far as St. Louis when his connecting flight to Philadelphia was delayed due to severe weather here in PA. So he went back to Omaha 
and decided to fly out the next morning. This time, however, he would connect in Chicago's Midway airport. When going through security in Omaha, they randomly pulled him off the line for a security check. They asked him if he was carrying more than $5,000 in his bag and he said he was. He then wen
t on to tell them that he was a professional poker player and had won the money in a tournament. They said fine and off he went. Since I love to post pictures with my blog, I happened to have this one of Michael taken from behind when he had landed in Monte Carlo last year. That's the exact same bag he was carrying on his shoulder in this case. (Michael on the right).
and decided to fly out the next morning. This time, however, he would connect in Chicago's Midway airport. When going through security in Omaha, they randomly pulled him off the line for a security check. They asked him if he was carrying more than $5,000 in his bag and he said he was. He then wen
t on to tell them that he was a professional poker player and had won the money in a tournament. They said fine and off he went. Since I love to post pictures with my blog, I happened to have this one of Michael taken from behind when he had landed in Monte Carlo last year. That's the exact same bag he was carrying on his shoulder in this case. (Michael on the right). He arrived in Midway where he had a few hours to kill before his next flight left for Ph
iladelphia. While sitting in the terminal and doing something on his computer, all of a sudden a badge appeared in front of his face and the guy asked if he was Michael Martin. He said he was and they asked him to "come with me please." Off he went to the office where he was questioned about the money. The officers were very nice to him but, in no uncertain terms, they wanted to know where the money came from. After answering dozens of questions, he finally went to a poker site on the computer and showed them how he had won the money. After that, they totally believed him and then came the barage of poker questions that usually follow.
iladelphia. While sitting in the terminal and doing something on his computer, all of a sudden a badge appeared in front of his face and the guy asked if he was Michael Martin. He said he was and they asked him to "come with me please." Off he went to the office where he was questioned about the money. The officers were very nice to him but, in no uncertain terms, they wanted to know where the money came from. After answering dozens of questions, he finally went to a poker site on the computer and showed them how he had won the money. After that, they totally believed him and then came the barage of poker questions that usually follow. The thing th
at amazes me about this whole situation is how they had kept track of him from his first arrival in Omaha to his layover in Chicago. It just goes to show how this Homeland Security really does work. They explained that they were part of the money laundering division which apparently is very tied to terrorist activities. I had never really thought about this before when he travels with money. I don't like it because it just makes me nervous. But when you think about it, anyone could say to a kid, "Carry this money to Philadelphia for me and I'll pay you $5,000", and they take a chance that the kid won't get randomly checked. It's really scary when you think about it.
at amazes me about this whole situation is how they had kept track of him from his first arrival in Omaha to his layover in Chicago. It just goes to show how this Homeland Security really does work. They explained that they were part of the money laundering division which apparently is very tied to terrorist activities. I had never really thought about this before when he travels with money. I don't like it because it just makes me nervous. But when you think about it, anyone could say to a kid, "Carry this money to Philadelphia for me and I'll pay you $5,000", and they take a chance that the kid won't get randomly checked. It's really scary when you think about it. As much as I'm bothered about this story, it does give me a better sense of security. If they can keep track of some 23 year old American traveling from one city to the other, I can just imagine how they're keeping track of those people who do present a danger to our country. So my hat's off to the Homeland Security Division of our government......big brother and all.
2 comments:
Interesting story and reassuring. I agree completely with your assessment of the Patriot Act. I really do not care if someone "out there" knows what books I buy and take out of the library....it is a small price to pay.
Well written article.
Post a Comment