What I've never understood is, aren't the people at the exits supposed to stop people from doing this in the first place? Or at the very least follow the person so that they don't get lost?
It seems like every time I read a story like this they "don't know where the (person) went".
tombyron
Aug 10, 07, 1:11 pm
What I've never understood is, aren't the people at the exits supposed to stop people from doing this in the first place? Or at the very least follow the person so that they don't get lost?
It seems like every time I read a story like this they "don't know where the (person) went".
I often wonder the same thing. Then I wonder how they knew the breach took place to begin with, because if they saw it, you would think they would stop the person right then. They must see it on some video feed after the fact.
gj83
Aug 10, 07, 1:17 pm
You'd be amazed how many people I see trying to sneak in through the terminal exits. Usually they are elderly and just confused about the whole security process. Usually just one "STOP MOVE AWAY FROM THE EXIT" gets them to turn around If you actually cross through the exit it sounds an alarm. The TSA people manning the thing like to get starbucks and then walk through the exit. I guess they just deactivate it after they pass through.
That article didn't specify how the person slipped through. was it through an exit, or was it through the actual check point part?
I bet there really was no person and it was just time for another hassle.
PHLJJS
Aug 10, 07, 4:57 pm
The problem is that the TSA isn't supposed to apprehend or detain anyone, even when trying to breach the exit. You are just supposed to try to stop them verbally, but if they push through, you are supposed to let them go, sound the alarm and follow them while relaying their description via radio. That is ridiculous. I personally would block their path allowing them to hit me because it then becomes assault and I'm able to defend myself at that point. I would simply push them back and sound the alarm and let the LEOs that coming running up handle it from there.
Spiff
Aug 10, 07, 5:01 pm
The problem is that the TSA isn't supposed to apprehend or detain anyone, even when trying to breach the exit. You are just supposed to try to stop them verbally, but if they push through, you are supposed to let them go, sound the alarm and follow them while relaying their description via radio. That is ridiculous. I personally would block their path allowing them to hit me because it then becomes assault and I'm able to defend myself at that point. I would simply push them back and sound the alarm and let the LEOs that coming running up handle it from there.
Admirable that your stance is, TSA employees are not paid to put themselves at risk from passenger assault.
Follow the doorbuster, yes. Attempt to detain/restrain - no.
photojojo
Aug 10, 07, 11:15 pm
You are just supposed to try to stop them verbally, but if they push through, you are supposed to let them go.
I couldn't help but chuckle and recall the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when Gene Wilder in a very insincere apathetic voice says "no. wait. stop."
But you're right, that (from the sounds of it) is all they do.
How does the whole process go down then? Guard says, "no. wait. stop." Perp continues to his gate. Then the TSA calls SWAT?
jghassell
Aug 11, 07, 12:20 pm
The ineptitude and incompetence of the TSA is really brought to light here.
Scenario: Customer brings toothpaste and doesn't announce it. Gets the 'enhanced' level of screening when discovered. Customer isn't a threat, everyone knows it, but stupid rule requires the wasting of everyone's time with this search.
Scenario: Subject breaches sterile area boundary. Could potentially have an item on his person one would not want inside airport. TSA completely loses track of the guy. Can't find him in the airport, outside the airport, on a plane, nowhere. Guy could have planted an item and walked out and no one would know what the hell happened. That's a reasonable outcome. Sure, he could also have been 'confused,' but there's a very real potentiality that something untoward could have happened.
Now which scenario truly represents a security threat?
Why is America allowing scenario 1 to happen while scenario 2 occurs right in front of our eyes?
If the TSA cannot stop or track someone that breaches a boundary in an airport then frankly they should all be fired. Every single one of them. And probably jailed for negligence.
"After checking a total of 31 planes from Charlotte to Los Angeles, TSA officials have still not found the man who made it past security screeners without being checked."
Meanwhile, 1,000 potential toothpaste terrorists have been screened in Charlotte just today.
tombyron
Aug 12, 07, 12:06 am
Meanwhile, 1,000 potential toothpaste terrorists have been screened in Charlotte just today.