Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - Press Release from Frost & Sullivan: 800 guns were detected *ON* planes in 2011 (???)

The business research & consulting firm Frost & Sullivan (http://www.frost.com) has put out a press release that says:

The transportation security agency (TSA) is responsible for preventing knives, guns and other weapons from being taken aboard airplanes. Despite their precautions, more than 800 guns were detected on board planes during 2011. This scenario has highlighted the need for more stringent screening methods.


Here's the link to the press release on MarketWatch:

Frost & Sullivan Press Release (posted on Marketwatch.com):
Detection of More than 800 Guns within Planes during 2011 Shows Importance of Airport Screening Technologies
Rising health concerns compel market participants to publish scientific evidence regarding the safety of their systems
June 12, 2012, 8:05 a.m. EDT (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/frost-sullivan-detection-of-more-than-800-guns-within-planes-during-2011-shows-importance-of-airport-screening-technologies-2012-06-12)

And here it is posted on their website:

Frost & Sullivan (company website):
Detection of More than 800 Guns within Planes during 2011 Shows Importance of Airport Screening Technologies
Date Published: 12 Jun 2012 (http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?searchQuery=tsa&bdata=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mcm9zdC5jb20vc3JjaC9jYXRhbG9n LXNlYXJjaC5kbz9xdWVyeVRleHQ9dHNhQH5AU2VhcmNoIFJlc3 VsdHNAfkAxMzM5NTUwMjc1NzE2&docid=261625582)

Anyone know more?

(My first impression was that the PR intended to say that there were 800 guns confiscated at TSA checkpoints in 2011, but that can not be what they meant because the rest of the PR would not make any sense.)

The business research & consulting firm Frost & Sullivan (http://www.frost.com) has put out a press release that says:

The transportation security agency (TSA) is responsible for preventing knives, guns and other weapons from being taken aboard airplanes. Despite their precautions, more than 800 guns were detected on board planes during 2011. This scenario has highlighted the need for more stringent screening methods.


Here's the link to the press release on MarketWatch:

Frost & Sullivan Press Release (posted on Marketwatch.com):
Detection of More than 800 Guns within Planes during 2011 Shows Importance of Airport Screening Technologies
Rising health concerns compel market participants to publish scientific evidence regarding the safety of their systems
June 12, 2012, 8:05 a.m. EDT (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/frost-sullivan-detection-of-more-than-800-guns-within-planes-during-2011-shows-importance-of-airport-screening-technologies-2012-06-12)

And here it is posted on their website:

Frost & Sullivan (company website):
Detection of More than 800 Guns within Planes during 2011 Shows Importance of Airport Screening Technologies
Date Published: 12 Jun 2012 (http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?searchQuery=tsa&bdata=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mcm9zdC5jb20vc3JjaC9jYXRhbG9n LXNlYXJjaC5kbz9xdWVyeVRleHQ9dHNhQH5AU2VhcmNoIFJlc3 VsdHNAfkAxMzM5NTUwMjc1NzE2&docid=261625582)

Anyone know more?

(My first impression was that the PR intended to say that there were 800 guns confiscated at TSA checkpoints in 2011, but that can not be what they meant because the rest of the PR would not make any sense.)

I really hate these kinds of publications/reports, as the TSA will spin it as a positive for them regardless of the results. 800 guns made it on to planes? Even more reasons for money and intrusive screening. Zero guns make it on to planes? The TSA is doing a wonderful job and should be commended. I follow stocks a lot, especially ones that are in the toilet. There are always pumpers who spin every trading day as a positive. The stock looses 50%? That's just means more buying opportunity! Stock goes up 1%? Look how smart we are, we told you it was a winner. The TSA is no different, a self-serving shill.

Frost & Sullivan are a little late ;)

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1275633-tsa-says-more-than-900-guns-have-been-recovered-checkpoints-year.html

(My first impression was that the PR intended to say that there were 800 guns confiscated at TSA checkpoints in 2011, but that can not be what they meant because the rest of the PR would not make any sense.)It doesn't make sense however you read it.

If 800 guns were found on planes (how?) that would be the most damning evidence of TSA incompetence yet. Not that it would surprise me personally.

(My first impression was that the PR intended to say that there were 800 guns confiscated at TSA checkpoints in 2011, but that can not be what they meant because the rest of the PR would not make any sense.)

The rest of it doesn't make any sense anyway:

The 9/11 attacks are a grim reminder of how failed layers of security have lethal consequences.

...which is a load of horsepuckey. 9/11 was the result of telling passengers and flight crews to cooperate with hijackers. A "procedural" failure, not a "security" failure. There's been no evidence that the hijackers managed to "sneak" anything past security, as knives/boxcutters were not prohibited items at the time.

And as has been shown repeatedly since, knives and boxcutters regularly get past the Maginot Line that is the TSA anyway.

How, exactly, are guns "detected" on planes? The only scenario I can fathom is that I forgot I left my gun in my backpack, took it to the airport, the TSA missed it, and a passenger or crewmember sees me with the gun and rats me out. FWIW, If I forgot I left my gun in my backpack, I probably shouldn't have a gun.

I've always said that, in the hypothetical situation where I found a gun in the seat back pocket, I would surreptitiously slip it into a barf bag, stick it in my backpack, take it off the plane at my destination, and throw it into a trash can in the terminal, never to be seen again.

Those are 2011 numbers? Gosh, the strip-search machines must be really effective... :rolleyes::rolleyes::(

I see this as good news. 800 guns on planes, yet I do not recall a news story of one airplane hijacking, one plane crashed into a landmark, or one person injured on a plane by those 800 guns. Obviously guns in the hands of non hijackers are not a threat to civil aviation.

It doesn't make sense however you read it.

If 800 guns were found on planes (how?) that would be the most damning evidence of TSA incompetence yet. Not that it would surprise me personally.

But the PR seems to be saying just that, since its opening lines are:

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - June 12, 2012 - The transportation security agency (TSA) is responsible for preventing knives, guns and other weapons from being taken aboard airplanes. Despite their precautions more than 800 guns were detected on board planes during 2011. This scenario has highlighted the need for more stringent screening methods.

800 guns a year works out to an average of 2.2 guns each day.... that cannot possibly be correct, can it?

If 800 guns were found on planes (how?) .

It usually happens when a pax says something to an FA like, "No thank you; I don't need any more Diet Coke or a headset...but...by any chance...do you have any 7.62 x 51mm 150 grain full metal jacket ammunition for sale? I forgot to pack enough. And...do I have to pay with a credit card, or might I be able to exchange airline miles for it?"

It usually happens when a pax says something to an FA like, "No thank you; I don't need any more Diet Coke or a headset...but...by any chance...do you have any 7.62 x 51mm 150 grain full metal jacket ammunition for sale? I forgot to pack enough. And...do I have to pay with a credit card, or might I be able to exchange airline miles for it?"

This explains how the guns were found on the planes. That's NATO long gun ammo. Obviously, the flight attendants find them long guns sticking out of seat back pockets (and make people put them in the overhead bins, where they eventually fall out on people's heads [after shifting during flight]).

See... guns are dangerous. :D