Security upgrade

The Australian: Security upgrade possible for trains:

"JOHN Howard has pledged to consider new security arrangements in the wake of the London bombings, including placing armed guards and sniffer dogs on the nation's trains."

For a while there we did do it yourself travel without ticket inspectors and it was really great to see them back on trains after the free for all mayhem. Given road transport has made we ordinary folk suitable targets for mad bombers, then yes, I think it's good to see something done about helping us feel more secure, even though we know we can't be safe. Not in 2005. Pretty sad state of affairs really that you live in a world that would abuse you like that just because you happen to be there. So it's about trust. A ticket inspector or a security guard can be quite reassuring. It doesn't have to be unpleasant. Last time I was on the train I was amazed the ticket inspector actually spent some time telling me I had used the wrong ticket and could have bought a cheaper one (I am car dependent!). I appreciated his doing that but as he did he was just keeping his eye on a group of kids who were in high spirits- and that is all it was. They , too, apologised for being so noisy in my presence but were so excited about some concert they were going to. Fair enough. That kind of human stuff has a place. Heaven forbid kids should be totally quiet! In Noumea , too, the bus inpectors were on the buses very regularly and they became familiar faces and for me, as a tourist, they were very helpful. But you knew they were there to maintain order and decency as well and got a lot of respect. Their manner was pleasant but you wouldn't have argued with them. Helped that the buses were smaller and ran frequently too, and the way the seating was arranged, everyone was very obvious to everyone else. The new see through scanning system that has been talked about for London would take more time to adjust to, but I could see some people loving it! It's about using our brains and our technology to limit anarchy. Nothing wrong with that. I'd rather be scanned.