Originally Posted by TSAJohn
First off, I always thought most of you would react like this if the TSA ever found an IED. That's the number one reason I don't post here. Some of you hate the TSA so much, your'e blind.
Secondly, if this is a "Glorified Firecracker" it's probably technically considered a bomb. Isn't it a federal offense to be in possession of or to create a bomb? Not to mention trying to take it onto an airplane....
TSAJohn, I, for one, don't hate the TSA. I do, however, disagree with many of its procedures.
I am one of those who feel that good security comes from looking for terrorists, not for weapons. Of course, this requires a very long training procedure that the TSA does not offer its screeners as well as profiling, which would upset American sensibilities no end.
(And, no, profiling does
not translate into "just look for the guy with the brown skin or Arab name". If it did, it could be taught in a ten minute session.)
As for what makes a firecracker into a bomb, I have no idea. I presume that there is some law which delinates the explosive capability of an item before it can be considered a bomb.
If this item was truly a danger to aviation (unlike Bic lighters or tiny penknives) it should not have been allowed onto the plane. At the same time, if it appears to be a silly mistake by a college kid who had no bad intentions, the issue should be forgotten about.