Rotary Meeting of April 18, 2013 “Send in the Clowns and get Wanded” by Gary Wilson, Bulletin Editor.
The Meeting
Dick brought the gifts.
Now Joe did some fining, even though it was Dave Rieman’s job. He managed to push Dave aside and started in on Shiela again, who doesn’t have “the magazine”, but she does own a Clown (see later). Then he picked on me again for having the damn magazine. I think I have written this before.
I hadn't read my magazine but he seemed to pick on one of the pullout cards that dealt with "physical fitness and dieting". These are two of my favorite topics and I figured once I read the “card” I would go shopping for a Speedo. Send in the Clowns.
Bill and his daughter were at the meeting….nice to see you. Bill has two great grandchildren on the way.
Chuck Perlman was here from Culver City. What a nice guy he is.
Melissa delivered another fine joke. (She is very good at this)
Shirley had a birthday and read a very funny card (also from Melissa).
Clair had a birthday and another funny card. (thanks Melissa)
Mellissa will be appearing at the Comedy and Magic Club.
Sammy reported on the Wellness Day and filled the room again with his enthusiasm.
Sheila bought a Clown named Molly Malone. Most people have never done that, so there Joe. Where is your clown Joe? I would rather have a Clown than a dumb magazine. What do you do with your own Clown, especially if you have been drinking?
Dean is organizing a Poker event at the Hustler Casino as a fund raiser and Dean had attended the Boys and Girls Club of Venice Poker Tournament that had a similar venue. He is looking for 200 people to join the tournament. Marsha thought it was strip poker and said to “count her in”. $100 entry fee. Talk to Dean
(As some of you know I tape the meetings and this portion of the tape ended right here is where my recorder ended, so this is where I must end. I think I got most of it.) Moving on to the program.
The Program
We experienced a great program from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) who is partnering with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBT), U.S. Aire carriers and Airports for TSA PRE, a passenger pre-screening initiative that allows participants who have volunteered information about themselves to be qualified for screening benefits. Some of our members who travel quite a bit were very interested. This guy was a good looking, very fit and a mostly serious representative of the program, but with a dry sense of wit he took us on one by one. A number of our members volunteered to be strip searched but he said he couldn't do that. Wanding was OK, especially in certain areas. Marsha wanted to know what type of Wand it would be.
US citizens who are members of CBP’s Trusted Traveler programs, such as Global Entry, and certain airline frequent flyers are eligible to participate in TSA Pre and could receive benefits such as no longer removing the following items:
· Shoes
· 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
· Laptop from bag
· Light outerwear/jacket
· Underwear
· Belt
This process will speed up the process at the airport and they are consistently making “risk based decisions” on who to examine further and who not to examine further. I guess it depends on what you look like. I usually get right through.
What we learned: There is likely to be an Air Marshal on Board, an Armed Pilot, an Explosive Specialist, and a Crew that is carefully trained for emergencies. Also, passengers frequently restrain unruly passengers. Tom get’s restrained by fellow passengers almost every time he flys with Mr. Jack Daniel. They are friends. He likes it.
The speaker felt that the safety of passengers has come a very long way since 911 and they would continue to improve and also make the boarding “easier”. Will someone still get pulled aside to examined further…absolutely? Some of it is “totally random” so that “they” know that “they”(the bad guys) can get pulled aside for a closer look, no matter who it is. That’s why some people who look totally innocent (like a grandma or a boy) get pulled aside. It is just that they had the unlucky number for that hour or so.
There were lots of questions for this guy and he was great.
The Xray machines and screeners are now excellent. The Screener can identify what kind of shoes show up on the Xray.
Each country has different procedures and standards, and so do some states. They are working on getting some sort of unity so you know what to expect when you go to the airport.
The speaker got grilled over and over by Nancy Cobb about the hiring requirements and what does it pay and what kind of benefits are offered and what education is need etc. etc. He was very funny in his repartee with Nancy and quick on his feet. Nancy was impressed, and slipped him her resume when he was leaving.
I think the Card Drawing prize is now over $500.
At this week’s program we are going to learn about Pancreatic Cancer.