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Explosives go right through at DIA checkpoints
Interesting story on how the TSA does their job properly by allowing explosives through security checkpoints.
To me it begs the question why are we spending all the money and hassle of time if you can easily circumvent the system? http://www.news4colorado.com/Global/...5&nav=DIGiE8RD |
And again with the canned response:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The TSA says: "screeners peformed their jobs exactly as trained and proper screening procedures were followed."</font> http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/news/itea...eners_sjc.html http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/...in520612.shtml http://www.sltrib.com/2002/jun/06032002/utah/742419.htm ------------------ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin |
Interesting peice, except for one thing, it might be relevant. I heard about this last week from a screener friend of mine. He told me that the guy did indeed put gunpowder on his bag and got through the checkpoint with the "dusty" bag. When he told the news people what he had done and they reported it, this "Einstein" was arrested for sedition and knowingly transporting explosives onto an aircraft. Not the smartest thing to do. Not EVERY bag is checked for explosives at the checkpoint I am told, but they do go through the x-ray and had there been an actual device I suspect the news story would have been different. Now due to this, I would not be surprised if the TSA does not start checking every bag coming through the checkpoint. Things like that just make them react with more checks. When will they ever learn?
[This message has been edited by ACES II (edited 03-07-2003).] |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ACES II: Now due to this, I would not be surprised if the TSA does not start checking every bag coming through the checkpoint. Things like that just make them react with more checks. When will they ever learn?</font> Bruce |
Actually, I don't know if "Einstein" is a proper label for the guy. I would consider him a security expert though. You would think that the TSA would learn from these mistakes but they don't. Please provide a link to backup your claim that he was arrested. I am not able to find that information.
------------------ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin |
Here's a link to a follow-up story the next day. Steve Elson was not arrested but congressional representatives are now investigating:
http://news4colorado.com/Global/stor...5&nav=DIGiEAFr <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">After initially thanking NEWS4 for bringing this apparent security gap to their attention, the TSA is now on the defensive, NEWS4 reports. It is calling NEWS4's scenario "unrealistic and alarmist." The purpose was to assess the effectiveness of explosives detection at Denver International Airport. "How difficult would it be for someone to get through your security with chemicals that could explode?" NEWS4 investigator Rick Sallinger asked. "It would be difficult," Pat Ahlstrom, a deputy director of the Transportation Security Administration, said. "I think any security system has the potential for someone to defeat it." NEWS4 found that potential found was easy to realize. Four times NEWS4's passenger passed through the high scrutiny security lines without the chemicals being detected. Ahlstrom viewed NEWS4's tape. He watched as one of his screeners discovered a powdery substance on one of the bags. Instead of testing it immediately, the screener proceeded to wipe it off. "That's curious to me," Ahlstrom said. "I don't know why (he did that)." Less than a week later several TSA officials came to NEWS4 to review the tape. They hoped to learn if further training of personnel or changes in detection equipment might be needed. "So if journalists were able to pass explosive chemicals through airport security, the question is: Could a terrorist do the same?" Sallinger asks. In a statement, the Transportation Security Administration said the screeners performed their jobs exactly as trained and proper screening issues were followed. </font> ------------------ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin |
But no one has a pocket knife or other non-credible sharp object. We are oh-so-safe.
------------------ "Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry |
Just so long as the powdery substance isn't drugs.
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Bruce, Spiff, I have an idea. Let's all take a flight together.
I will go through security with some sulfur. Bruce, you will carry some charcoal. Spiff, you'll bring the saltpeter. Anyone want to take bets on whether or not we'll be stopped? And does anyone want to bring matches, or should we get two volunteers to bring some flint and a steel striker? |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Just Passing Thru: Bruce, Spiff, I have an idea. Let's all take a flight together. I will go through security with some sulfur. Bruce, you will carry some charcoal. Spiff, you'll bring the saltpeter. Anyone want to take bets on whether or not we'll be stopped? And does anyone want to bring matches, or should we get two volunteers to bring some flint and a steel striker?</font> ------------------ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin |
Wait a minute... How come I have to carry the nitrates??? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif Saltpeter is potassium nitrate, KNO3.
tazi, you can bring the sugar http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif Isn't chemistry fun??? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif ------------------ "Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry |
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Spiff: tazi, you can bring the sugar http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif Isn't chemistry fun??? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif </font> How many miles will I get out of this trip? ------------------ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin |
We should add another to that flight. An accountant.
Why? To add up the Billions (with a capital B) that is being wasted on the so called security. The TSA cost is only the start. Businesses across the country have suffered due this insanity. And then the hours lost for those that do travel. And the stress put of those same people when airports are emptied. It goes on an on. We are paying a very high price for a POTENTIAL threat. So Sad, so very sad! |
Lost hours? Lost business? Explain please?
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I'll explain.
Thanks to the LONG Security Lines at SOME airports, I now have to show up at the Airport about 2 hours before my flight. If the Security Lines were "No more than 10 Minutes" like Minetta promised, I could show up 45 minutes before. That 1 Hour and 15 Minutes is One Less Busines Meeting. One Less Business Meeting = Lost Business. |
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