Or: WHOOPS!!

Ahem.

Not that very many people on here come through HSV... like... ever. But! Just on the very off-chance that you're originating in HSV today, or plan on coming through on your way to ATL or something and coming out of the sterile area for a bite to eat...

[Obsolete information removed. See post #14)

Everybody processing through the checkpoint — every...single...one — therefore has to have a full physical inspection of every cotton-pickin' thing they're bringing through, with accompanied explosive testing.

If you're originating in HSV today (and no idea when the machines will be repaired; it could be several, several hours), please plan accordingly.

Sounds like a good day for screeners to call in sick.

^

All of the money spend on all of the high tech goodies, and the TSA couldn't get a diesel generator?

How about a surge protector to prevent from frying the equipment? The good ones from APC.. about $40.

first tornadoes and now this... i dunno

hang in there HSVTSO Dean (but in line with "the calling in sick", perhaps a sideline as a weather forecaster so you can have the heads up on the weather and be the first to call in sick )

I'll second third that or whatever

Dean: Thanks for the udate on HSV. That would suck for psgrs & you folks. Keep us updated on HSV.

I know Ron likes to think of the TSA as a professional organization that is full of security professionals.

Just imagine that the top-of-the-list mission critical equipment (at least from the travelers' point of view) isn't protected for a power surge. Unbelievable! But, maybe since it only affects the travelers, it doesn't really matter to TSA. They can just tell them to arrive an hour earlier and if they miss their flights, hey, it's their fault, they weren't here on time!

That's the true professional organization! NOT!

Look on the bright side, the surgical glove supplier will probably benefit.

And you can ask for the new technology:

http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/s...fluor/shoe.htm

I hacked the phone system at Dean's airport and intercepted the call to tech support.

Dean: I would like to place a service call

Tech: Is there a problem with your machine?

Dean: Yes, we had a storm come through and a power surge knocked out the machine.

Tech: I see, I need you to unplug the x-ray, wait 2 minutes and plug it back in. Did that work?

Dean: No it did not work the unit is still dead. There was a power surge and I think it blew a fuse or something.

Tech: Are you sure you have it turned on?

Dean: Yes it is turned on but I have no power.

Tech: Ok you need to unplug the x-ray, wait 2 minutes and plug it back in. Did that work?

Dean: No it did not work the unit is still dead. We had a big storm and took a direct hit by lightening. There was a power surge and I think it blew a fuse or something.

Tech: Are you sure you have it turned on?

Dean: Yes it is turned on but I have no power.

Tech: Ok you need to unplug the x-ray, wait 2 minutes and plug it back in. Did that work?

Dean: No it did not work the unit is still dead. We had a big storm and took a direct hit by lightening. There was a power surge and I think it blew a fuse or something. I saw smoke.

Tech: Are you sure you have it turned on?

Dean: Yes it is turned on but I have no power.

Tech: Ok you need to unplug the x-ray, wait 2 minutes and plug it back in. Did that work?

Dean: No it did not work the unit is still dead. We had a big storm and took a direct hit by lightening. There was a power surge and I think it blew a fuse or something. I saw smoke and fire.

Tech: Are you sure you have it turned on?

Dean: Yes it is turned on but I have no power.

Tech: Would you like to place a service call?

Don't put yourself or your community down, Dean. I've visited Huntsville.

Of course it was in 1970 and I've never felt any desire to go back.

This is the ideal opportunity for TSA to unveil its super secret "Self screening program." It's like the self check out at Kroger. You walk through the now unplugged metal detector and if you have anything metal you have to make a beep sound. Then you walk over to the stainless steel table and begin rummaging through your belongings, making sure you stop to slowly stroke the silk undergarments and perhaps sniff them. Then, when you are satisfied that you are in compliance with all rules and regulations, you can walk to the gate knowing you have saved lives.

You'll still have to show up early, in case you have to put yourself through a secondary...

Yay, an update:

Everything actually does have electric backups here in HSV. The WTMDs are functional, the ETD machines are functional. After finding out some more information, I can say that it actually wasn't the weather that knocked out the x-ray machines (so instead of "Or: More Fun With Weather in Huntsville" it should actually read as "Or: WHOOPS!!).

The uninterruptable power sources for the x-ray machines were being changed last night. Since we are not allowed to do anything at all with the machines ourselves in terms of repair or maintenance (beyond cleaning), an electrician contractor was called in to install the new UPS devices.

Somehow or another the UPS malfunctioned. I've heard two stories - either it was installed incorrectly, or it was the incorrect amperage. Either way, when the test-fire was done on the x-ray machines to bring them up on the UPS power (ala simulated blackout of primary power source), the UPS fried the x-ray machines. Both of them.

Replacement parts have already been ordered in, with requests to get here ASAP. Supposedly, this'll happen around 1600 this afternoon, but even if they get here, the x-ray machines won't be brought back up until much later tonight.

So, as I said, WTMD and ETDs are unaffected. Just the x-rays are dead. So far, so good, though. It's exhausting, but everyone's in good spirits over it. We've only had two incidents � one gentleman didn't like it very much that we had to open a wrapped present, and a pilot (for American, I think) got a serious case of "DYKWIA?" but, aside from that, everyone's fairly understanding and in good-enough humor over it.

Wait-times in HSV have been about 30 minutes, at the busiest.

Four more hours to go. Oy.

I don't blame you~

Crickey! T minus 30 is when I normally show up at the checkpoint!