TSA Stupidity
- Thread starter wedivebc
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fire_diver
Contributor
I don't have anyany TSA horror stories, but one of my soldiers does! I really felt bad for him too.
When we were checking in for our flight to the mobilization site, one of my guys accidentally left his wallet on the ticket counter. The soldier behind him, "secured" it for him since the other guy had already disappeared into the security checkpoint around the corner. When the second soldier got to security, they saw he had 2 wallets. Opened them up and saw one had a different ID. BAck to the back room for him! It took about 30 minutes, full search, and they never called for the first soldier to come back and verify the loss, or called for me (the commander) to come back and vouch for him.
The good samaratin soldier wasn't any too happy towards the the first soldier!
When we were checking in for our flight to the mobilization site, one of my guys accidentally left his wallet on the ticket counter. The soldier behind him, "secured" it for him since the other guy had already disappeared into the security checkpoint around the corner. When the second soldier got to security, they saw he had 2 wallets. Opened them up and saw one had a different ID. BAck to the back room for him! It took about 30 minutes, full search, and they never called for the first soldier to come back and verify the loss, or called for me (the commander) to come back and vouch for him.
The good samaratin soldier wasn't any too happy towards the the first soldier!
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One of my favorite parts of the security farce that is our current situation is the container at the start of the security line where liquids are to be disposed of.
This is one of the most crowded areas of an airport. It would be trivial for several people in a row to drop in a few liter containers of liquid that is innocuous in and of itself with an open cap, and have a second person drop in something that would cause a nice interested reaction a while later.
I don't know what damage can be done with several liters of liquids, but I bet it could be bad enough to kill some folks and to close an airport for a day or so. Do that at enough airports around the country simultaneously and we can take yet a few more steps towards a police state as the public reacts in total panic.
This is one of the most crowded areas of an airport. It would be trivial for several people in a row to drop in a few liter containers of liquid that is innocuous in and of itself with an open cap, and have a second person drop in something that would cause a nice interested reaction a while later.
I don't know what damage can be done with several liters of liquids, but I bet it could be bad enough to kill some folks and to close an airport for a day or so. Do that at enough airports around the country simultaneously and we can take yet a few more steps towards a police state as the public reacts in total panic.
diverdoug1
Contributor
I never said anything about making a bomb, I just told him there is no chemical that can be contained in a pill that can turn the body into a fireball as a result of an exothermic reaction. As far as not clueing in terrorists, I don't think Nemrod holds any chemical secrets that would be revaltions to those who would do us harm (He is a geologist). As a scientist and teacher, he knows beter than to spout technobabble that holds no basis in fact. Sure, you could swallow an explosive device that could be activated by contact with stomach acid, but no magic chemical that has a reation so hot that it will burn up the body without establishing a fision/fusion reaction.
I actually agree with Nemrods premise that it would be very difficut to detect an IED that a terrorist has concealed internaly (gastric, rectal, or even surgical itraperitoneal insertion).
The TSA have a tough job, but I personaly don't feel any safer because of their presence in the airports.
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Ninja Diver
Contributor
I agree, it doesn't make sense to take a re-breather on as carry on. But as far as the cylinder goes, it owuld be a great place to "hide" exposive materials.
I take my 30 pony bottle when I travel, however, it's completely open, they check it everytime and let me go by.
What I find ironic is the same people who complain that are rights are being violated are the same people who say... I can't believe they didn't check that guy. How hard would it be to put explosives in a scuba tank, how hard would it be to pretend you're an old man in a wheel chair.
I travel a lot and see many instances where a TSA agent could have handled something better, but the bottom line is, we have't been attacked since 9/11 thier job is to keep us safer.
That's obviously working. I don't like taking off my shoes and opening up all my dive gear either, but I do like the fact that the only people that REALLY need to worry are the people that have something to worry about.
Steve
I take my 30 pony bottle when I travel, however, it's completely open, they check it everytime and let me go by.
What I find ironic is the same people who complain that are rights are being violated are the same people who say... I can't believe they didn't check that guy. How hard would it be to put explosives in a scuba tank, how hard would it be to pretend you're an old man in a wheel chair.
I travel a lot and see many instances where a TSA agent could have handled something better, but the bottom line is, we have't been attacked since 9/11 thier job is to keep us safer.
That's obviously working. I don't like taking off my shoes and opening up all my dive gear either, but I do like the fact that the only people that REALLY need to worry are the people that have something to worry about.
Steve
after my dive trip in Bali OUT of Indonesia, my check-in mesh bag have tube of RUB-ON insect repellant (as opposed to spray on)
Airport luggage security x-rayed my bag and saw a spray canister of shaving foam and decided to check my Mesh Bag.
Ignoring all my dive stuff, he never even paid attention to my shaving foam but instead took out the tube of my insect repellent saying its POISON and dangerous to check in.
I referred him to his very own notice board of "Restricted Items" and asked which particular rule I violated.
He pointed at "Insecticide".
I showed him that it is used to be applied on the skin, and that i am checking it in, what danger could i possible pose to other pax?
He said, the tube might leak and cause irritation and fumes may "fumigate" the cargo hold, at the same time tell me if i have difficulties parting with it i can ask someone (hotel?) to send it home?
At this point, i just feel he is bent on confiscating it for his personal use.
i parted with my $3 repellent though.
Airport luggage security x-rayed my bag and saw a spray canister of shaving foam and decided to check my Mesh Bag.
Ignoring all my dive stuff, he never even paid attention to my shaving foam but instead took out the tube of my insect repellent saying its POISON and dangerous to check in.
I referred him to his very own notice board of "Restricted Items" and asked which particular rule I violated.
He pointed at "Insecticide".
I showed him that it is used to be applied on the skin, and that i am checking it in, what danger could i possible pose to other pax?
He said, the tube might leak and cause irritation and fumes may "fumigate" the cargo hold, at the same time tell me if i have difficulties parting with it i can ask someone (hotel?) to send it home?
At this point, i just feel he is bent on confiscating it for his personal use.
i parted with my $3 repellent though.
fire_diver
Contributor
Imagine about 5 pounds of C4 going off. Aproximately the same result from the right liquids. But why would they need to be dropped off? Just get one idiot with a suicide vest to walk into a crowded, backed-up TSA line. You can wear 20 pounds of explosives very easily.
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I'm thinking you get to have your operatives survive to kill another day if you manage it correctly.
diverdoug1
Contributor
Talk about confiscation for personal use, I had a Belezian security guy confiscate a roll of duct tape out of my checked baggage.
fire_diver
Contributor
That's becuase you aren't thinking like the enemy.
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