ABC News has an interesting report on the
procedure for tourists who wish to ascend to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, which was
opened on July 4 by Homeland Security after an eight-year shutdown. Apparently prospective climbers are shot with air by "puffer-machines" to ruffle their clothes and reveal any dangerous materials concealed therein. (You should enjoy the air while you can, as the ascent is 354 steps and the Statue is not air-conditioned.) You can't take backpacks with you -- or anything except cameras and "life-saving medication" -- and to get a locker to store excess baggage you must "leave behind a fingerprint" (actually a "five-point scan that is used in an algorithm"). You have to pick up your tickets on-site the day of the visit, which keeps you from passing them off to your terrorist friends, and go through two x-ray machines. Then you can go up and celebrate freedom! We'll take Grant's Tomb. (Bookings for the Statue
remain brisk, and are expected to be extended through January;
apply here.)
Image (cc) wwarby.