HawaiiTrvlr

I think that some Delta employees are going to get some extra scrutiny by the TSA for a while. Though as an baggage handler, I am sure he didn't go through any screening points.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local...ms-plan/njYkm/

KDS

And, using TSA's track record as a guide, this likely will mean even more scrutiny for the normal pax so that TSA can "save face."

petaluma1

I'm sure we won't hear about those guns on the TSA blog.

Boggie Dog

TSA is derelict for not screening all airport workers to the same minimum degree as passengers. At a minimum WTMD's and X-ray of personal items should be the standard for airport workers.

TSA's security plan is akin to locking the front door of your home while leaving the rear entrance standing open.

mre5765

Do you think the TSA should screen airplane mechanics and their tools?

Airport chefs and their knives?

...

A baggage handler has access to checked bags and the airplane cabin. Explain how it makes sense to screen them?

petaluma1

Did you read the article?

If every airport employee had to go through the same security that passengers are required to go through, then this might not have happened.

Further, if you've read the thread about JFK disallowing real knives in restaurants, you would have read that the restaurants must account for all their cooking knives and they are either locked up at night or chained to the work stations where they are used. The chefs don't bring their own knives.

goalie

Well, I could always add 15 guns to next week's body count thread

Bolding mine: You mean spin and damage control don't you?

Bolding mine: Winner!

Boggie Dog

Explain how not screening these people makes sense from a security perspective?

To answer your question, absolutely they should all be screened on every crossing into the sterile parts of an airport.

The security concept is to prevent introduction of dangerous contraband into the sterile areas of an airport.

Any airport employee who can enter the sterile area without screening is a security threat. They can easily introduce, hand off, or place aboard an airplane a weapon or other dangerous item.

mre5765

A baggage handler is frequently handling bags that contain guns. How is screening a baggage handler going to prevent guns from getting onto a plane?

Locked up at night or not, before the knives are counted at night, there is an opportunity for someone to get one on board.

And how do you deal with screening caterers, mechanics, tools, equipment, parts, etc? How are you going to screen say a replacement jet engine? A replacement wheel?

It is neither practical nor sensible to screen workers with access to the tarmac. The best that can be done is limit tarmac access to those who pass a security background check.

Then what you are saying is that when tarmac worker enters the jetway or the plane, then he needs to be screened. This includes pilots who leave the plane to perform visual inspections of the plane from outside. This includes pilots who are licensed to bring a firearm into the cockpit.

So wtmds at each gate and X-rays of any tools a mechanic needs to bring on board to fix a broken seat, a cockpit device, a broken lav, etc. And TSOs that make sure every tool the mechanic brought on board is accounted for.

That is what you appear to be implying. Higher fees to pay for this new security. Higher fares because it takes hours to get a plane ready for its next flight.

To operate and maintain a plane requires use of contraband. Whether it is a blunt or sharp object a mechanic needs. Whether it is bottles of liquid to keep crew and pax hydrated. Whether it is flammable jet fuel to power the engines. Whether it is combustible lithium batteries to power the electronics.

The world has risks. The airports, airlines, and the government have decided that it is irrational to screen tarmac workers.

Boggie Dog

Bags with weapons that have been cleared are locked.

The idea is to prevent introduction of none screened weapons. Airport employees have an easy means to introduce contraband since TSA has failed to screen all airport workers.

Aircraft parts are inventory controlled.

Mechanics tools should be under a tight tool control program to ensure that no tools are accidentally left on an airplane after a maintenance function.

Mechanics, pilots, baggage handlers, and all others that have cleared security when entering the sterile area would have no need for further screening unless they departed the sterile area. Going from the ramp to an airplane would still be inside the sterile area.

Think of it from how passengers are screened. Controlled access points to enter but once in you can go airport to airport without any additional screening until you depart the sterile area. At an airport like DFW once inside the sterile area a person can hop the train and go from one terminal to another without leaving the sterile area.

What TSA is providing now is just an illusion of security.

RatherBeOnATrain

Local ATL News says that Harvey smuggled at least 18 guns, seven of which loaded.

He carried the guns in a backpack and entered the "sterile area" (ha-ha!) of ATL through an employee-only entrance. Being a pre-screened employee, he was "not subjected to screening by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)."

Harvey then entered the public (passenger side) of ATL. He went into a men's restroom and handed off the backpack (with the loaded firearms inside) to Mark Quentin Henry. Henry then flew to NYC, for free on a Delta buddy pass.

FLLDL

indeed the whole concept of a sterile area is a joke if the workers arent being screened at all. Same as the silly Known Crew Member program.

Why even have security when any baggage handler can literally bring in a whole bag of guns without any issue?

Spiff

And the bust only happened because the FBI worked backwards from the guns' point of sale on previous purchases. The operation went and would have continued undetected by TSA.

All airline and airport employees, including TSA employees, should receive exactly the same screening. The idiocy of the TSA's going hard on the passengers, going soft on airline/airport employees, and going non-existent on itself is the reason operations like this one happen and will continue to happen.

The best solution would be to kick the TSA out of all USA airports and restore security responsibilities to airlines and perhaps airports.

RussianTexan

Spliff, was it the FBI or the NYPD?

Bonehead

Airlines are for-profit entities that seek to minimize costs wherever possible. I don't want security to be their responsibility for that reason.