"And the LTSO wrestled the vaper to the ground..."
Aug 10, 2018, 11:04 am
#1
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"And the LTSO wrestled the vaper to the ground..."
Apparently this happened on July 20 at SAV:
https://www.wftv.com/news/trending-n...port/809929457
I'm somewhat torn on this.
On the one hand, I have to give props to the LTSO for not panicking and running away as most people would, or freezing up with indecision (as I certainly would). He kept calm and made a decision to DO something to resolve the situation.
On the other hand, aside from doing absolutely nothing, picking up a smoking carry-on and running it through the terminal to dispose of it was probably the worst thing to do in such a situation. If it's a smoking battery from a laptop or cell phone (or in this case, a vaper), then at minimum you risk severely burning yourself. But if it's an explosive or incendiary device, then the least little bit of jostling or physical contact can detonate it, putting the lives of everyone else in the area at risk from explosion, shrapnel, or fire.
Triggering an immediate evacuation of the area and calling in REAL law enforcement and fire fighters is the right decision.
I wonder if he learned how to handle potential explosives in the TSA Academy?
Wait, WHAT!? You mean to say that after a passenger's bag caught fire on the screening belt they didn't even shut down the checkpoint to investigate!?
TSA at its finest.
https://www.wftv.com/news/trending-n...port/809929457
I'm somewhat torn on this.
On the one hand, I have to give props to the LTSO for not panicking and running away as most people would, or freezing up with indecision (as I certainly would). He kept calm and made a decision to DO something to resolve the situation.
On the other hand, aside from doing absolutely nothing, picking up a smoking carry-on and running it through the terminal to dispose of it was probably the worst thing to do in such a situation. If it's a smoking battery from a laptop or cell phone (or in this case, a vaper), then at minimum you risk severely burning yourself. But if it's an explosive or incendiary device, then the least little bit of jostling or physical contact can detonate it, putting the lives of everyone else in the area at risk from explosion, shrapnel, or fire.
Triggering an immediate evacuation of the area and calling in REAL law enforcement and fire fighters is the right decision.
I wonder if he learned how to handle potential explosives in the TSA Academy?
His actions also helped prevent damage to the screening equipment and a potential shutdown of the checkpoint.
TSA at its finest.
Aug 11, 2018, 4:45 pm
#2
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
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The LTSO could have poured a bottle of water on it.
Oh, wait... 😉
Oh, wait... 😉
Aug 15, 2018, 1:41 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: TSA TSO
Posts: 455
Apparently this happened on July 20 at SAV:
https://www.wftv.com/news/trending-n...port/809929457
I'm somewhat torn on this.
On the one hand, I have to give props to the LTSO for not panicking and running away as most people would, or freezing up with indecision (as I certainly would). He kept calm and made a decision to DO something to resolve the situation.
On the other hand, aside from doing absolutely nothing, picking up a smoking carry-on and running it through the terminal to dispose of it was probably the worst thing to do in such a situation. If it's a smoking battery from a laptop or cell phone (or in this case, a vaper), then at minimum you risk severely burning yourself. But if it's an explosive or incendiary device, then the least little bit of jostling or physical contact can detonate it, putting the lives of everyone else in the area at risk from explosion, shrapnel, or fire.
Triggering an immediate evacuation of the area and calling in REAL law enforcement and fire fighters is the right decision.
https://www.wftv.com/news/trending-n...port/809929457
I'm somewhat torn on this.
On the one hand, I have to give props to the LTSO for not panicking and running away as most people would, or freezing up with indecision (as I certainly would). He kept calm and made a decision to DO something to resolve the situation.
On the other hand, aside from doing absolutely nothing, picking up a smoking carry-on and running it through the terminal to dispose of it was probably the worst thing to do in such a situation. If it's a smoking battery from a laptop or cell phone (or in this case, a vaper), then at minimum you risk severely burning yourself. But if it's an explosive or incendiary device, then the least little bit of jostling or physical contact can detonate it, putting the lives of everyone else in the area at risk from explosion, shrapnel, or fire.
Triggering an immediate evacuation of the area and calling in REAL law enforcement and fire fighters is the right decision.
Granted it's not the first time it happened, there was the BDO in MCO, who took another burning bag, (except it was a burning Raspberry Pi board) and ducked it behind the nearby massive column to mitigate the potential blast had it been it an IED.
Thankfully in this case, everyone scattered as soon as they noticed it.
Had a vape battery go off in baggage claim here at BOS. Owner noticed it smoking and decided "maybe I should bail". Then someone else put it out. Practically everyone just stood there. MSP and Massport Fire and they didn't appear to shut down the baggage claim area.
Aug 15, 2018, 4:36 pm
#5
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Aug 16, 2018, 3:43 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
Maybe he was moving it towards one of these things? We have them at every checkpoint in BOS. Granted there's only one angle so it's hard to tell what he did with it off camera.
Granted it's not the first time it happened, there was the BDO in MCO, who took another burning bag, (except it was a burning Raspberry Pi board) and ducked it behind the nearby massive column to mitigate the potential blast had it been it an IED.
Thankfully in this case, everyone scattered as soon as they noticed it.
*shrug*
Had a vape battery go off in baggage claim here at BOS. Owner noticed it smoking and decided "maybe I should bail". Then someone else put it out. Practically everyone just stood there. MSP and Massport Fire and they didn't appear to shut down the baggage claim area.
Granted it's not the first time it happened, there was the BDO in MCO, who took another burning bag, (except it was a burning Raspberry Pi board) and ducked it behind the nearby massive column to mitigate the potential blast had it been it an IED.
Thankfully in this case, everyone scattered as soon as they noticed it.
*shrug*
Had a vape battery go off in baggage claim here at BOS. Owner noticed it smoking and decided "maybe I should bail". Then someone else put it out. Practically everyone just stood there. MSP and Massport Fire and they didn't appear to shut down the baggage claim area.
As I said, I commend the guy for not freezing up or running away to save his own posterior. He did something, which is better than nothing, but the something in this case was the worst possible something he could have chosen.
Procedure: Simple. Potential bomb? EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY, and CALL THE BOMB SQUAD.
TSA: OUR safety is supposed to be your number one priority, not cheap heroics that actually worsen the situation and endanger more people.
<sigh>He probably got a medal and a cash bonus, too.