Pax lights fireworks on NW AMS-DTW flight
Dec 25, 2009, 7:10 pm
#61
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Any TSA or airline employees that want to get out the real story while being protected visit my blog and hit the anonymous tip box. (left side of every page)
Dec 25, 2009, 7:10 pm
#62
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I'm just glad the media is getting input from highly qualified experts in aviation.
J.P. Karas, 55, of Wyandotte, Mich., said he was driving down a road near the airport and saw a Delta jet at the end of the runway, surrounded by police cars, an ambulance, a bus and some TV trucks.
“I don’t ever recall seeing a plane on that runway ever before and I pass by there frequently,” he said.
Karas said it was difficult to tell what was going on, but it looked like the front wheel was off the runway.
“I don’t ever recall seeing a plane on that runway ever before and I pass by there frequently,” he said.
Karas said it was difficult to tell what was going on, but it looked like the front wheel was off the runway.
Dec 25, 2009, 7:12 pm
#63
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It helps TSA maintain relevance, nothing more.
Not yet. Rest assured that TSA will go to extremes to suggest it was a credible attempt.
But let's take a look at what we know right now.
The suspect was supposedly on some sort of terror watch list, yet he was allowed to board an airplane.
The suspect went through screening at an "approved" airport. This means 1) what he had was normally allowable or 2) the screeners screwed up.
The suspect was subdued by passengers, not by on board FAMS.
Can any of the TSA kool aid drinkers tell me just how we're getting a return on our security investment? The reality is this - unless every passenger is strip searched before boarding, a dedicated individual is going to be able to board an aircraft with the capability to do harm, and someday that harm may be carried out. Regardless of whatever draconian measures the TSA thinks up next.
Not yet. Rest assured that TSA will go to extremes to suggest it was a credible attempt.
But let's take a look at what we know right now.
The suspect was supposedly on some sort of terror watch list, yet he was allowed to board an airplane.
The suspect went through screening at an "approved" airport. This means 1) what he had was normally allowable or 2) the screeners screwed up.
The suspect was subdued by passengers, not by on board FAMS.
Can any of the TSA kool aid drinkers tell me just how we're getting a return on our security investment? The reality is this - unless every passenger is strip searched before boarding, a dedicated individual is going to be able to board an aircraft with the capability to do harm, and someday that harm may be carried out. Regardless of whatever draconian measures the TSA thinks up next.
The intensity of the security theater increase will be directly proportional to the amount of bad publicity the TSA wishes to deflect. The biggie will be that this guy was on the "list" but was allowed to get on an airplane anyway. Another biggie will be that (apparently) the passengers gang-tackled the guy -- not FAMs. (Expect the TSA to take credit for Layer #20 in action.) The third biggie will be when someone in Congress rips the TSA a new one for doing very little to develop non-intrusive means to screen for explosives.
I also expect the TSA and local governments to conduct visible and highly-publicized harassment (to make the local news) of innocent passengers at train stations, ferries, and bus stops.
We, the American People, will pay for this with our checkbooks, our Constitution, and with our dignity at airports.
Dec 25, 2009, 7:12 pm
#64
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LOL kewl. Why not just finish killing off the airline industry?
Dec 25, 2009, 7:12 pm
#65
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Statement by Department of Homeland Security Press Secretary Sara Kuban
Release Date: December 25, 2009
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
“Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been briefed on the incident aboard Northwest Airlines flight #253 and is closely monitoring the situation.
Passengers may notice additional screening measures put into place to ensure the safety of the traveling public on domestic and international flights.
As always we encourage the traveling public to be observant and aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior or activity to law enforcement officials.
We encourage those with future travel plans to stay in touch with their airline and to visit www.tsa.gov for updates.”
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
“Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has been briefed on the incident aboard Northwest Airlines flight #253 and is closely monitoring the situation.
Passengers may notice additional screening measures put into place to ensure the safety of the traveling public on domestic and international flights.
As always we encourage the traveling public to be observant and aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behavior or activity to law enforcement officials.
We encourage those with future travel plans to stay in touch with their airline and to visit www.tsa.gov for updates.”
Dec 25, 2009, 7:15 pm
#66
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"He was trying to ignite some kind of incendiary device," said a federal anti-terrorism official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case. "He lit himself on fire and he's suffered some burns."
Betcha' he sustained some injuries when the other PAX tackled him.
Betcha' he sustained some injuries when the other PAX tackled him.
Dec 25, 2009, 7:16 pm
#67
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You certainly wouldn't go through passport control in AMS in these circumstances.
Dec 25, 2009, 7:17 pm
#68
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The man said he was directed by al Qaeda to explode a small device in flight, over U.S. soil...
Authorities have no corroboration of that information...
The suspect was identified as Abdul Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, who according to federal documents is an engineering student at University College of London...
He was flying from Nigeria to the United States for a religious ceremony, according to his entry visa...
The suspect had been in a law enforcement-intelligence database but was not on the government's no-fly list...
IMHO it wasn't out of line for the CNN report to mention the "Detroit angle" in passing. YMMV.
Dec 25, 2009, 7:18 pm
#69
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Let's have a big Shout Out for ABC as well:
Man Attempts to Set Off Explosives on Plane
Two Injured in Northwest Airlines Flight From Amsterdam to Detroit
Federal officials and police are interviewing a Nigerian man, who allegedly tried to "explode" a powdery substance aboard a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, injuring himself and two other passengers, law enforcement officials said.
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/explosi...ory?id=9423871
Man Attempts to Set Off Explosives on Plane
Two Injured in Northwest Airlines Flight From Amsterdam to Detroit
Federal officials and police are interviewing a Nigerian man, who allegedly tried to "explode" a powdery substance aboard a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, injuring himself and two other passengers, law enforcement officials said.
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/explosi...ory?id=9423871
. yellow for everything other than domestic and international flights which are orange and iirc, the kettle calming voice over the airpot p/a's has always been saying orange. http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm (near the bottom) and http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/Co...ease_0046.shtmStupidity from a passenger:
What the heck is that statement supposed to mean and WHY does the media report such stupidity?
Sorry. Link
Rich Griffith, a passenger from Pontiac, said he was seated too far in the back to see what had happened. But he said he didn't mind being detained on the plane for several hours. ''It's frustrating if you don't want to keep your country safe,'' he said. ''We can't have what's going on everywhere else happening here.''
Sorry. Link
CBS is now quoting ABC:
ABC News is reporting that "the man said he was directed by al Qaeda to explode a small device in flight, over U.S. soil." But, ABC adds that "authorities have no corroboration of that information, and the credibility of the suspect's statements are being questioned, officials said."
The man was apparently on the government's no-fly list of suspected terrorists, a senior intelligence official told ABC.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...html?tag=stack
And it was starting off as a slow news day...
ABC News is reporting that "the man said he was directed by al Qaeda to explode a small device in flight, over U.S. soil." But, ABC adds that "authorities have no corroboration of that information, and the credibility of the suspect's statements are being questioned, officials said."
The man was apparently on the government's no-fly list of suspected terrorists, a senior intelligence official told ABC.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...html?tag=stack
And it was starting off as a slow news day...
the tsa & dhs effed up but speakign of an abundance of caution....here is the latest spatement* from our beloved tsa. so how many times does the tsa us the expression "out of an abundance of caution"? wonder if they have it trademarked yet?
*remember, spatement = a combination of spin and statement
Dec 25, 2009, 7:19 pm
#70
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Dec 25, 2009, 7:24 pm
#71
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"Houston, We Have A Puppy Post..."
Dec 25, 2009, 7:31 pm
#72
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Any TSA or airline employees that want to get out the real story while being protected visit my blog and hit the anonymous tip box. (left side of every page)
Edit: I would like to say that I am grateful no one was killed, or badly hurt, and all the people on board get to return to their families.
Dec 25, 2009, 7:31 pm
#73
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Dec 25, 2009, 7:33 pm
#74
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Dec 25, 2009, 7:42 pm
#75
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