Self-policing while traveling

Years ago we has several bombings in Paris airports via unattended baggage.
Likewise, two waves of metro bombings involve packages left under seats.

The police can not do everything. So we must play a role too.

We can do it, we have done it and so keep it up.

The natural reaction in the airports for a long time was for everybody to
watch other people`s baggage, if it was left unattended by some wandering
traveler moving 10 or 20 feet away from it we would call attention
to that person that "you have forgotten you bag". Naturally he had
not intended to abandoned his bag but these acts, thousands and thousands
of them sensitized people and I think the terrorists recognized that
the public was attentive. We can play a role also by not traveling with
a large number of bags. Our personal basic rule is never travel with more
than you can carry, because you may have to. The fewer the number the less
likely one is to forget it or have it stolen. I have seen people traveling
with incredible number of bags. One does jet lag and can become
confused at critical moments. Checking in is always a problem. A large
number of portable computers are forgotten at security controls.

On the Paris metro people got in the habit of just not bringing large
packages since other people visibly were uncomfortable. Or they made sure
that people recognized the item as ³mine². Items are preferably held
on the lap and not place on the floor and never shoved back under the
seat.

The big danger will be the commuter trains, these will be hard
to police, so the public will have to do that themselves. Keeping
a keen eye on people carrying large rucksacks or suitcases on trains
which are not normally used for people traveling with baggage.

The TGV, Paris-London already has baggage inspection so the possibility
pf placing a large 20-30kg baggage bomb to go off mid-tunnel seems
less likely.

Whatever, there will be a movement by people to be part
of the surveillance system..

Do it.

Earl