I work for the Federal government in the same office building in Chicago where the Illinois Senators have their offices--the Kluczynski federal building at 219 S. Dearborn Street. Prior to this week all Federal employees could enter the building by simply showing identification from the agency for which they work. Members of the public had to show ID, walk through a metal detector and have their belongings X-rayed.
Starting on Monday, ALL individuals entering the building have to go through the same process as the general public. My boss was prevented from bringing in a 2-inch pocket knife and I've heard that scissors are banned as well.
What's the logic of this? I have no idea since almost every employee in my office has a pair of scissors in his or her desk. I have a pocket knife in my desk and we have standard kitchen knives in the office for birthday cakes, etc.
I suppose that, as a Federal employee, I shouldn't be surprised at the stupidity. But this is one of the stupidest things I have seen in my almost 30 years in the government.
This article available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2008/11/tsa-style-foolishness-chicago-division/9058/
