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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 5:23 pm
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Post The TSA: They're On The Case, Sort of

Aviation Planning Article

"Less than a week after the Newark Star-Ledger reported major security screening and supervisory failures at Newark Liberty International Airport, the Transportation Security Administration has swung into action to avoid a re-occurrence.

They've launched a full scale investigation to find out just who leaked that information to the press. Not, mind you, an investigation into a 90% failure rate of screeners, or of the political yum-yums who are managing the TSA at EWR. Or how to improve the sloppy screening at the airport."

Figures.

This agency could use a mega-dose of accountability.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 5:25 pm
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Well, it doesn't say that they're not working on their processes - but that's not good press, so one doesn't expect that to be covered.

And, of course, leaking a confidential report that could help terrorists counter airport security is certainly stupid and probably criminal. (Even if it looks like all you have to do to penetrate security is to show up it doesn't change the wrongness of the act.)
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 5:26 pm
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It's basic government operations. If no one knows about it, it didn't happen.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 5:52 pm
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Standard Operating Procedure for the Bush Administration. "PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE (fill in your favorite political malfeasance), SOMEONE LEAKED TOP SECRET INFORMATION. WE MUST HUNT THEM DOWN AND PUNISH THEM FOR EXPOSING OUR INEPTITUDE!!!"
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 6:25 pm
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Originally Posted by Spiff
Aviation Planning Article

"Less than a week after the Newark Star-Ledger reported major security screening and supervisory failures at Newark Liberty International Airport, the Transportation Security Administration has swung into action to avoid a re-occurrence.

They've launched a full scale investigation to find out just who leaked that information to the press. Not, mind you, an investigation into a 90% failure rate of screeners, or of the political yum-yums who are managing the TSA at EWR. Or how to improve the sloppy screening at the airport."

Figures.

This agency could use a mega-dose of accountability.
Typical TSA; CYA and it's someone else's fault.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 8:41 pm
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Gotta like this a little further down the page too:

Originally Posted by Aviation Planning
The TSA Is Now A Factor In Air Traffic. Going forward, the forecast for 2007 indicates 3.0% to 3.5% growth over 2006, with relative stability in the market, at least when compared to 2005-2006. Wildcard: the damage done to the industry by the TSA's clumsy and idiotic responses to the events in the UK last August continues to have some effect on traffic. There's no telling what additional amateur-act stuff Kip Hawley might dream up. The TSA's knee-jerk activities over the past six months have done more to kick airlines in the financial tail than to deter terrorism, and there's absolutely no oversight or control over Hawley and his Junior Security Rangers to prevent another TSA attack on our transportation system.
Terrorists 1, airlines 0.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 9:06 pm
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Originally Posted by Superguy
Terrorists 1, airlines 0.
And the airlines sit back & take it, all the while babbling about security. They deserve a financial hit.
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Old Nov 8, 2006 | 9:22 pm
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I support leaking the document - getting this information out to the public is going to eventually erode what remains of the TSA's support and will hopefully drive Congress to take some action. Unless word of these incompetent failures becomes common knowledge, we're never going to see change.

If the TSA is so sure of their methods, why are they scared about the possibility terrorists can use this information? They're only scared the government might use it to suffocate their funding or even dismantle their sorry agency. Maybe that's the TSA's definition of 'terrorism'.

I applaud the leaker and send a heartfelt 'thank you'. Keep up the good work!

Also, more kudos to Mike Boyd for being fearless in his stripping off of the TSA Emperor's clothes.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 3:04 am
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My unfounded prediction is that the "full scale investigation" will go no where due to lack of follow thru from TSA minders.

Given the choice between working on your resume or pushing hard for an investigation that might blow up in your face, which would you choose?
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 5:42 am
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Originally Posted by Superguy
Terrorists 1, airlines 0.
Only 1 ?????
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 7:10 am
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Originally Posted by drat19
Only 1 ?????
In mathematical terms, 1 is infinitely larger than 0.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 11:50 am
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Originally Posted by seat17D
My unfounded prediction is that the "full scale investigation" will go no where due to lack of follow thru from TSA minders.
I would not be so sure:

Federal Air Marshal Fired...
for Making Planes Safer!

By Michael Hampton

November 3, 2006

In 2003, the Transportation Security Administration wanted to pull
federal air marshals off the highest-risk nonstop flights, just after
the U.S. had foiled al-Qaeda hijacking plots in which terrorists
would have used bombs smuggled inside cameras, flown planes into
London landmarks, and caused general mayhem in the skies.

Air marshal Robert MacLean blew the whistle. The air marshals didn’t
get pulled off the flights. And for that, he was fired.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 12:08 pm
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Originally Posted by gofast
I would not be so sure:

Federal Air Marshal Fired...
for Making Planes Safer!

By Michael Hampton

November 3, 2006

In 2003, the Transportation Security Administration wanted to pull
federal air marshals off the highest-risk nonstop flights, just after
the U.S. had foiled al-Qaeda hijacking plots in which terrorists
would have used bombs smuggled inside cameras, flown planes into
London landmarks, and caused general mayhem in the skies.

Air marshal Robert MacLean blew the whistle. The air marshals didn’t
get pulled off the flights. And for that, he was fired.
This reminds me....whatever happened to Spencer Pickard?

Last I heard, the FAM program wouldn't let him see his ill mother after being put on administrative leave.
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Old Nov 9, 2006 | 12:15 pm
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Originally Posted by LessO2
This reminds me....whatever happened to Spencer Pickard?

Last I heard, the FAM program wouldn't let him see his ill mother after being put on administrative leave.
Is he in detention? How could they prevent him from traveling to see his family? Even if they forced him to work 5 days a week, he could still fly on a weekend.

Did they put him on the no fly list?
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