Amtrak to Screen Carry-On Bags at Random

"a major new
security push that will include train and platform patrols by officers with
automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs"

- NY Times
2-20-2008

Passengers who are selected randomly for the screening will be delayed no more than a couple of minutes. If the machine detects anything, officers will open the bag for visual inspection.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/us/19amtrak.html?scp=2&sq=amtrak&st=nyt

There was some bubble headed lady on the radio today saying "Well it's about time the got security in the trains. I mean, they've had it for years on planes ... and yes, I do feel safer."

How do guns + bomb sniffing dogs + body armor + trains = security for the passengers??? I'd rather take my chances with a terrorist. Besides, no way can a terrorist take over a train nowadays anyway - every one in the country has seen the movie "United 93" at this point. I'd say we have enough disgruntled commuters providing "security" on the nation's trains.