ATL: LUV Pax claims he flew to MID with loaded semi-automatic handgun in his backpack
Nov 14, 2015, 8:20 pm
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ATL: LUV Pax claims he flew to MID with loaded semi-automatic handgun in his backpack
The latest "Have Gun, Will Travel" update from Atlanta:
AJC.com: Gun allegedly passes through Atlanta airport security undetected (Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015)
A short quote:
[I meant to say MDW in the thread title. Doh!]
AJC.com: Gun allegedly passes through Atlanta airport security undetected (Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015)
A short quote:
Traveler Blake Alford told the Daily Mail that after arriving in Chicago on a Southwest Airlines flight from Atlanta, he discovered he had a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his backpack. The incident happened Nov. 5, the report said.
The TSA said in a statement that it is investigating the matter “to determine what occurred and what steps, if any, need to be taken to ensure that security protocols are executed appropriately.”
The TSA said in a statement that it is investigating the matter “to determine what occurred and what steps, if any, need to be taken to ensure that security protocols are executed appropriately.”
Nov 14, 2015, 9:24 pm
#2
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The TSA said in a statement that it is investigating the matter “to determine what occurred and what steps, if any, need to be taken to ensure that security protocols are executed appropriately.”
If TSA can figure out when the passenger passed through a checkpoint, and if TSA can figure out which checkpoint and screening line, and if the videotape at the checkpoint is working so that the exact moment of screening can be found, what's the videotape going to reveal? Will it be detailed enough to figure out which TSOs handled the backpack, or were viewing the X-ray images? Will it be detailed enough to show what image the backpack made on the X-ray screen?
In short ... even if you didn't have TSOs frantically trying to make sure that they're not blamed for this, I'm not sure how TSA could figure out anything that would allow them to take specific corrective actions.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:08 am
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Nov 15, 2015, 7:31 am
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I think they're also going to be asking what kind of backpack he had, whether or not he was in a Pre lane (could a laptop have obscured the gun?), etc.
Or they aren't really going to do anything except eventually post something about 20+ layers of security, never any threat, probably a hoax because they reviewed footage and established that TSA did nothing wrong.
Almost forgot: and flag this guy for extra special attention next time he flies.
This made me chuckle:
Do they need to re-train employees to understand that they are supposed to comply with SOP at all times?
How do you 'train' for that? Have them chant 500 times "I promise I will follow SOP"?
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if they put down their cellphones, ended personal conversations conducted while they are supposed to be focused on the task at hand.
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if their LTSOs, STSOs and suits put down their cellphones, stopped the idle chit-chat, and paid attention to what is going on at the checkpoint.
If the pax is pulling a hoax and never had a gun, it was a foolish move, IMHO. They'll be watching for him next time.
Or they aren't really going to do anything except eventually post something about 20+ layers of security, never any threat, probably a hoax because they reviewed footage and established that TSA did nothing wrong.
Almost forgot: and flag this guy for extra special attention next time he flies.
This made me chuckle:
If we find that standard procedures were not adhered to, we will retrain employees as necessary to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.
How do you 'train' for that? Have them chant 500 times "I promise I will follow SOP"?
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if they put down their cellphones, ended personal conversations conducted while they are supposed to be focused on the task at hand.
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if their LTSOs, STSOs and suits put down their cellphones, stopped the idle chit-chat, and paid attention to what is going on at the checkpoint.
If the pax is pulling a hoax and never had a gun, it was a foolish move, IMHO. They'll be watching for him next time.
Last edited by chollie; Nov 15, 2015 at 11:18 am
Nov 15, 2015, 11:18 am
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I think they're also going to be asking what kind of backpack he had, whether or not he was in a Pre lane (could a laptop have obscured the gun?), etc.
Or they aren't really going to do anything except eventually post something about 20+ layers of security, never any threat, probably a hoax because they reviewed footage and established that TSA did nothing wrong.
Almost forgot: and flag this guy for extra special attention next time he flies.
This made me chuckle:
Do they need to re-train employees to understand that they are supposed to comply with SOP at all times?
How do you 'train' for that? Have them chant 500 times "I promise I will follow SOP"?
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if they put down their cellphones, ended personal conversations conducted while they are supposed to be focused on the task at hand.
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if their LTSOs, STSOs and suits put down their cellphones, stopped the idle chit-chat, and paid attention to what is going on at the checkpoint.
Or they aren't really going to do anything except eventually post something about 20+ layers of security, never any threat, probably a hoax because they reviewed footage and established that TSA did nothing wrong.
Almost forgot: and flag this guy for extra special attention next time he flies.
This made me chuckle:
Do they need to re-train employees to understand that they are supposed to comply with SOP at all times?
How do you 'train' for that? Have them chant 500 times "I promise I will follow SOP"?
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if they put down their cellphones, ended personal conversations conducted while they are supposed to be focused on the task at hand.
Perhaps more employees would comply with SOP if their LTSOs, STSOs and suits put down their cellphones, stopped the idle chit-chat, and paid attention to what is going on at the checkpoint.
Nov 15, 2015, 11:44 am
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I wouldn't be surprised to learn that TSA attempts to penalize this person.
Nov 15, 2015, 3:47 pm
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This has happened before more than once. I know there was a case in Houston recently-I don't recall if the guy was flying from or to IAH/HOU but he found the gun when he got to the hotel.
And the TSA AFGE folks are out picketing right now for a better contract talking about how great they are...
And the TSA AFGE folks are out picketing right now for a better contract talking about how great they are...
Nov 15, 2015, 4:16 pm
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ATL: LUV Pax claims he flew to MID with loaded semi-automatic handgun in his backpack
An overlooked question is why did this idiot tell the paper about it in the first place???
Nov 15, 2015, 4:27 pm
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Does TSA have any SOPs? Are they supposed to follow them?
Nov 15, 2015, 6:27 pm
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My guess is that the situation happened like this: the passenger got to his hotel room in Chicago, discovered the firearm, and then said "@#$!, how do I get home with this?". Not being an expert on checkpoint procedures (probably because he doesn't read this forum
), he probably called Southwest, which probably started a cascade of phone calls. At some point, a newspaper probably caught wind of the story.
Nov 15, 2015, 7:59 pm
#12
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If this happened, it's kind of silly for TSA to bring up the 20+ 'layers'.
Bottom line, there's only one layer - the checkpoint - that's going to determine whether or not a pax actually gets a gun into the sterile area.
Bottom line, there's only one layer - the checkpoint - that's going to determine whether or not a pax actually gets a gun into the sterile area.
Nov 16, 2015, 10:18 am
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After reading the article ... it's not clear that the passenger told the newspaper about it directly.
My guess is that the situation happened like this: the passenger got to his hotel room in Chicago, discovered the firearm, and then said "@#$!, how do I get home with this?". Not being an expert on checkpoint procedures (probably because he doesn't read this forum ), he probably called Southwest, which probably started a cascade of phone calls. At some point, a newspaper probably caught wind of the story.
My guess is that the situation happened like this: the passenger got to his hotel room in Chicago, discovered the firearm, and then said "@#$!, how do I get home with this?". Not being an expert on checkpoint procedures (probably because he doesn't read this forum
), he probably called Southwest, which probably started a cascade of phone calls. At some point, a newspaper probably caught wind of the story.
Nov 16, 2015, 10:54 am
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On the other hand, in Chicago, he could probably sell it on any street corner.
Nov 16, 2015, 11:57 am
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