# More terror/security humor! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 14, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282 "2009-01-14T17:31:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/1 "2009-01-14T17:31:08Z")
[This morning](http://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic_autos/transit/Metra-Train-Stopped-Passengers-Searched.html) near Chicago thousands of commuters were delayed as trains were halted and emptied in search of “a suspicious man with a gun” Sounds like this secret service agent could use a few little re-training (or de-_(commuter)_-training!) ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/2 "2009-01-14T17:39:29Z")
Oh great, a newb agent screwing up the Metra service today - like we needed more delays besides the snow and cold! At least he bothered to dress in distinguishing clothing (green jacket) - if he were all in black he’d look like everyone else on the train in the morning. I think this is the best part: > [@](#): > > The Chicago Tribune reported that someone overheard a male passenger ask a train conductor if there was a metal detector onboard, explaining that he had a gun. The man did not, apparently, identify himself as an agent at that time. :smack: Besides being mindbogglingly stupid to ask that without showing some ID… dude, does it **look** like there are any metal detectors? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/3 "2009-01-14T17:50:33Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Besides being mindbogglingly stupid to ask that without showing some ID… dude, does it **look** like there are any metal detectors? If only those BN rubes were as astute and sophisticated as us swells on the UP West line! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/4 "2009-01-14T19:41:24Z")
Here’s another story about this: > **[Chicago News - Chicago Tribune](https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/)** > > Latest Chicago and local news from Chicago Tribune. Find top news stories from Chicago suburbs, downtown, neighborhoods and more Apparently the agent identified himself as Secret Service when the ticket agent saw the agent’s weapon as he reached for his wallet to pay for the ticket. The ticket agent says he didn’t identify himself, so someone is trying to cover their ass. My favorite part of the story is this: > [@](#): > > “He was riding it today because it was snowing.” Just like hundreds of others throughout the area today–only they didn’t cause huge delays. Perhaps a “coaching” session is in order? ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/5 "2009-01-14T20:26:36Z")
:smack: Only in Chicago would it be considered unusual or suspicious for an ordinary guy to get on a train with a gun. Okay, maybe a couple of other places too, but it’s still silly. 'Round here I wouldn’t be surprised at all to learn that I was sharing a train or large bus with several armed passengers. 😛 Still, in this situation I would hope that the Secret Service agent at least showed his badge or something like that (do they have badges?); anybody with a gun on their hip could say “it’s okay, I’m with the Secret Service.” Then again, given the typical competence levels of municipal transit employees, I wouldn’t be surprised if the fault was mainly on the ticket agent’s end. But this is to say nothing of the city’s absurdly exaggerated response. Stopping and sweeping the entire train with police officers armed with rifles? Because _one_ guy might have had a gun? _Seriously?_ And what authority would they have to _search_ the passengers, anyway? If I were in a situation like that, I sure as hell wouldn’t consent to being searched by the police, and if they did it anyway they’d be getting some very polite communications from my attorneys. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/6 "2009-01-14T20:27:45Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > If only those BN rubes were as astute and sophisticated as us swells on the UP West line! 😛 😛 > [@](#): > > “He was riding it today because it was snowing.” See, it’s a “snowbird’s” fault, not us regulars! **Stealth Potato** , Illinois does not allow concealed or open carry of firearms unless you’re an officer of some sort (edit: open carry is allowed in rural areas under certain restrictions). I’ve seen a uniformed officer riding on the train with a holstered gun, regularly, on my route. Someone not in uniform would in fact cause a stir. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/7 "2009-01-14T21:12:04Z")
Oh, I’m well aware of that. I guess I should have replaced “Chicago” with “Illinois,” but Chicago was more specific to this case. Besides, isn’t Chicago the only place of consequence in Illinois? _ducks shoes thrown by Illinois Dopers_ 😃 Still an absurd overreaction though. ---
**Author:** ![Convict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Convict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Convict)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-terror-security-humor/481282/8 "2009-01-14T23:16:09Z")
It’s not a good day for Metra BNSF riders. An Amtrak derailment on the California Zephyr has delayed at least three outbound Metra trains this evening. [http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/amtrak-derailment-halts-3-metra-lines.html](http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/amtrak-derailment-halts-3-metra-lines.html) There’s a message here–you might be better off driving tomorrow!