From:	abortion_engine abortion_engine@*******.com
Subject:	Fast Talk (was "Realism")
Date:	Thu, 30 Sep 1999 12:46:38 -0400

> <snip story>
>
> > So let's look at what we've got here: A thuggish looking guy
> >carrying a package sets off the metal detector in security, yet avoids
> >being searched, then talks his way (without a ticket) onto a plane bound
> >for our nation's capitol in order to give someone a package that could
> >contain gods know what.
> >
Here's a funny little fact those of you who read awful books might have
already read; on average, the people who throw the luggage onto an airplane
[you know, those guys who keep trafficking in drugs recently] make more
money than the guy who's supposed to keep you from bringing a gun onto an
airplane.

It's a fact I use a lot in SR; this security guard is probably making ten
percent over minimum wage. He doesn't want to die. He just wants to feed
himself and/or his family. And he really doesn't care a whole lot about his
lousy-paying job. I've known a security guard or two, and they agree with my
perception [although many of them say things like, "well, not me, but the
other guys around here..." Yeah, right.] The only general exception on the
low-paying end tends to be ex-military guys, and either they get sloppy as
time goes on [say, two weeks], or they always take the job too seriously.
<cough-my GM-cough>

Just my experience, but I've had a fair amount of it.

BTW, Marc; great story. Having flown out of Metro a time or two [do any
planes leaving O'Hare go anywhere else first?], it's even funnier, as I can
actually picture this thug-looking guy running through the people-movers
with a manila envelope, after going beep-beep-beep at the detector
chokepoint. LOL!