Originally Posted by Cartoon Peril (Post 15856584)

Anything for security, of course.

Originally Posted by chugger1 (Post 15855982)

In 10 years of law enforcement, I saw more injuries and terror inflicted upon one human to another by hands/fists/feet than any other weapon. I'm surprised TSA doesn't have us all sitting handcuffed, leg shackled and belly chained on our flights like ConAir.

Originally Posted by IslandBased (Post 15856170)

The simple solution would be to make passengers stow their arms and legs in the overhead bins for the duration of the flight.:p

Originally Posted by IslandBased (Post 15855023)

The "canary in a coal mine" test can be used for a couple of the dangerous items listed. If one of eyecue's fellow TSOs keels over, eyecue could have seconds left to make his peace with the world, call for a supervisor, or pat down another suspect. ;)

What would you do in this situation?

Originally Posted by chugger1 (Post 15855982)

In 10 years of law enforcement, I saw more injuries and terror inflicted upon one human to another by hands/fists/feet than any other weapon. I'm surprised TSA doesn't have us all sitting handcuffed, leg shackled and belly chained on our flights like ConAir.

Originally Posted by STBCypriot (Post 15859593)

I gave the secuirty theater high marks for absurdity when they banned metal butter knives after 9/11. Of course, the bad guys still had access to forks. Or better yet, breaking a drinking glass or a bottle of duty-free vodka wouldn't result in an edge sharp enough to cut someone's throat, now would it?

Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating banning any of these things. Just pointing out the absurdity of security theater.

Originally Posted by STBCypriot (Post 15859593)

I gave the secuirty theater high marks for absurdity when they banned metal butter knives after 9/11. Of course, the bad guys still had access to forks. Or better yet, breaking a drinking glass or a bottle of duty-free vodka wouldn't result in an edge sharp enough to cut someone's throat, now would it?

Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating banning any of these things. Just pointing out the absurdity of security theater.

Originally Posted by FriendlySkies (Post 15861245)

As another FTer mentioned, snapping a CD in half, would be sharper than a butter knife.. Of course, TSA has not discovered this lethal threat, yet :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRev (Post 15861478)

Next time you are airside, pop into the news stand or souvenir shop and see how many things could be just as effective as a box cutter or knife.

Originally Posted by Cartoon Peril (Post 15851874)

I keep reading about how TSA needs to do a variety of offensive things to people all in the name of security.

Yet every passenger is permitted to board with at least three items that could be used as lethal weapons:

1. A leather belt and buckle.
2. Keys on a key ring.
3. A laptop computer.

I don't intend to give a tutorial on how these items could be used as weapons, but the methods should be obvious to anyone who thinks about them. Any terrorist who wanted to harm people on an aircraft would be knowledgeable about these, and I would assume that TSA must know this.

I should point out that in some of the secure areas to which I have been admitted over the years, it is common for keys NOT to be allowed into the facility.

Given the obvious potential use of permitted items as weapons, I cannot see how the alacrity with which TSA lays its hands upon the passengers bodies, or leers at their naked images from a private booth (my God, does anyone at the government realize how creepy that is!) is anywhere close to justified.

Originally Posted by TheRoadie (Post 15853939)

I don't believe you have the technology to detect ricin, sarin, or biological agents. What equipment can you point to that does?