Well folks here is where I'm going with this thread. It deals with how TSA handles the issus of suspicious items within someones carry on bag.

When a TSA agent is screening a carry-on bag via the x-ray scanners and they observe a suspect item (ie: weapon, sharp object, contrband, etc) they pull the bag aside (in the same general area of the other passengers) with the owner of the bag for further inspection. Then a TSA agent just blindly unzips the bag and begins proding and searching for the contraband object. What I don''t get is WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU TAMPER WITH A BAG THAT CONTAINS POSIBLE CONTRABAND!!!??? As soon as someone tampers with evidence it is considered comprimised!

I have worked in the Information Securities industry and have been a CISSP for nearly 10 years. I have dealt with numerous computer and facilities forensics investigations. I will tell you this much, any time it was discovered there was a system or facility that was suspect to contain contraband, a specific procedure for securing the devices and then properly investigating them was enacted.

The last thing anyone who deals with computer security or forensics want to do is just jump right into say tearing open a laptop bag, computer systems, cell phones, etc. The same priciples apply here with respect to inspecting someones bag that is suspected to contain contraband, such as a weapon. Rather than removing the bag and the suspected person to a SECURED screening area completely away from the other passengers (for security and safety of others) the TSA idiots just start unzupping the bag and begin poking around.

If I was a would be attacker attempting to smuggle on board a weapon or materials that could be assembled into a bomb like device, one of the first things I would do is "booby-trap" the bag to detonate against unwanted opening by someone other than myself. This would be in the event I am "discovered" as an attacker, and before I could use the device to cause some harm.

But TSA fails to see this as any kind of threat.

My point is when a suspicious package is found at any government office such as a Federal Court House the first thing that is done, is the area is evacuated and a Bomb Disposal Unit is called in to INVESTIGATE the situation properly and with due diligence. Following a STRICT procedure for the safety of civilians and themselves. However TSA TAKES NONE OF THESE PRECAUTIONS to protect themselves or other individuals.

The whole searching of carry-on bags is needed to help ensure the safety of the passengers and flight crews, but when a suspect bag is found TSA is not following proper guidelines with respect to explosives or weapons handling.

Why has there not been any discussion by TSA Security Experts regarding this lack of proper procedure? I'd like to hear others thoughts about this?

The whole x-ray screening procedure is here to stay people, it's NOT going away. So get OVER IT! I travel for a living and since the inception of the full body scanners I have been through them more than 30 times. I have even been subsected to secondary screening. This is another area where TSA FAILS. If someone who goes through the scanners whether it is the full body x-ray or just the magnetron (metal detectors) and they are not flagged as having any metal on their body, they should be allowed to pass through and go onto the gates.

I could go on about the whole smoke and mirrors security, but let's see where this thread goes.

Safe travels during the holiday season.

I bet it goes on over to the TS&S forum, the proper place for TSA / security discussions, where virtually every aspect of TSA procedure has been picked over in heavy detail.

What are the suggested specific procedures that TSA doesn't seem to be following? Surely you don't expect them to take a bag and passenger off to a secure area if the X-ray machine shows a large pair of scissors in a bag. If TSA sees a gun, are you sure that they just blindly unzip the bag and begin prodding and searching for the contraband object?

Also, just curious, what does the Information Securities industry do?

ModSpeak On

Moving to TS/S, as there's no specific news item here.

ModSpeak Off

Can you imagine the disaster that the checkpoint would become if they evacuated if for every bag check?

They know nothing is going to happen, which is why they don't see it as a threat.

It's funny, they try to make it sound like they go to this much trouble to "keep us safe", which is really the biggest laugh of all. While they continue to feed us GMO food, while the FDA approves drugs this year that will be proven to kill you next year, while they deny millions the medical care they need. Do you REALLY think they care about a plane full of US citizens? Laughable.

Whatever the reason is for the TSA doing this, it's certainly not for our safety. It's most likely for money or some other self-serving reason, for sure.

Haven't you been paying attention? The real threats are baby formula, cuticle oil, nail scissors, and water not purchased for a redonkulous price beyond the checkpoint.

OP, you raise valid points.

But the TSA's job is to keep bad stuff off of airplanes not to prosecute. Their first priority is not to secure evidence.

Now, do they do a good job? He11 no!

for 10 months after the excuse of the underwear bomber, current screening was 'fine' Now that they have their new toy, nothing is better.

Point is, this is nothing more than a ploy by the Department of Homeland Security to prove that the rights, freedoms and liberties of the american people no longer exist. We as a nation of people have no rights. No freedoms, and No liberties. this is being spelled out to each and every citizen flying on a commercial jet. you have no rights. STFU and be raped or molested. your choice.

Either be strip search by high resolution death rays, or be violently molested by govt employees.

Fact of the matter is, you have no rights. the Constitution which is supposed to be the supreme law, above every other law with in the United States some how does not apply here.

And, with the hudreds, if not THOUSANDS of lawsuits, criminal charges and complaints filed not a single judge ANYWHERE in the the United States has even ruled on this outright violation the US Constitutional violation, which is CLEARLY affecting millions of US Citizens proves that, we, as a nation, have no rights.

Talk to a Govt employee under DHS lately? I suggest you find one... corner them and pick their brains, in the end, you will walk away with the realization, that we, as Americans, the land of the free, are no longer 'free' instead live with in a police state, with the imaginary lines of freedom.

The point is not to secure the evidence...but to protect the TSO and the public around whom this bag is opened. ...if it really is the explosives in the bag or some other booby trap.