TSA Stupidity

[hydropunk]

they stole his gear.

I fly all over hawaii and internationally with my dive gear (Haven't flown into/thru CONUS with my gear for about 5 years though). I check everything in and do not travel with tanks. Sometimes i will even bring weight (just don't like taking the weights out of my trim pockets). I have a solid locking lid plastic bin (not airtight), first goes in beach towel, then lights (batteries out, completely disassembled or all o-rings removed), strobes (same treatment as lights), regs, knife, shears, first aid, mask, snorkel, housing, save-a-dive box, basically all the "smashables," topped with my wetsuit. I then put the plastic box in my dive bag, throw in my BC and fins and a few changes of clothes and I'm good to go with one check-in and a backpack carryon with my electronics and toiletries. At check-in I always make sure I observe TSA screen my bag, and I get on the plane. Never a hitch, knock on wood.

Then when I get home I just place my box o gear in my garage and it's ready to rock for another adventure.

To hell with TSA, if they raised their standards of hiring just slightly we might not have to deal with all this nonsense. Entertaining thread.

 

[wedivebc]

Hey Webdivebc!
Did the RB in question have the tank valves off, ready for inspection? Or a nail clipper carefully concealed?

So even if the valves were on (which I don't know they were) could not justify the confiscation of the RB and luggage on the whim of a TSA agent. I am sorry to say this but you have come a long way from being "the land of the free"

 

[mikemill]

The problem with saying they need to up their standards of hiring is that it will cost more money.

Going off of: http://www.tsa.gov/graphics/images/approach/attrition_chart.gif there appears to be ~51,000 employees. Now lets say the higher standard is going to cost an extra $1/hour. Assuming 2080 paid hours per year (40 hours / week * 52 weeks / year) you are looking at $106 million.

 

[Belmont]

The problem with saying they need to up their standards of hiring is that it will cost more money.

Going off of: http://www.tsa.gov/graphics/images/approach/attrition_chart.gif there appears to be ~51,000 employees. Now lets say the higher standard is going to cost an extra $1/hour. Assuming 2080 paid hours per year (40 hours / week * 52 weeks / year) you are looking at $106 million.

I haven't looked at my last airline ticket but they charge us a bundle for their "services".

A few bucks more to get served better would be acceptable.

 

[Doc]

Am flying to Telluride tomorrow and you guys have my palms sweating already. Not looking forward to social claustrophobia and being treated like cattle for 12 hours. Will try to think about being under water when I am crammed into the aluminum tube.

Once you see that "ski jump lip" 3/4 the way down the runway, that alone will get you sweating.

 

[Doc]

Talk about confiscation for personal use, I had a Belezian security guy confiscate a roll of duct tape out of my checked baggage.

By government and airline rules that TSA must follow, it is considered a restraint device, thus prohibited, much as cable ties or hand cuffs.

Pacific rim countries seem to always confiscate tape, as well.

 

[I Dive]

The problem with saying they need to up their standards of hiring is that it will cost more money.

Going off of: http://www.tsa.gov/graphics/images/approach/attrition_chart.gif there appears to be ~51,000 employees. Now lets say the higher standard is going to cost an extra $1/hour. Assuming 2080 paid hours per year (40 hours / week * 52 weeks / year) you are looking at $106 million.

How many annual travelers are there?

 

[Kingpatzer]

The problem with saying they need to up their standards of hiring is that it will cost more money.

Going off of: http://www.tsa.gov/graphics/images/approach/attrition_chart.gif there appears to be ~51,000 employees. Now lets say the higher standard is going to cost an extra $1/hour. Assuming 2080 paid hours per year (40 hours / week * 52 weeks / year) you are looking at $106 million.

Security is always a cost analysis game. The reality right now is that the TSA has done precisely NOTHING to make us safer. But they've already upped the cost of airport security significantly.

The security testing folks are still bringing guns onto planes, they're still getting mock explosives into airports, they're still getting in whatever they want.

Either spend enough to develop security protocols that make a difference, and hire people capable of exercising the sort of judgment necessary to make real security effective, or stop spending the money altogether.

 

[mike_s]

Here's a clue -- people who are doing contract work on the tarmac and external areas of the airports do not go through extensive security checks, background checks, x-rays, etc. Neither do those making deliveries or performing services for the stores in the terminals.

for the most part, I agree with you....

but in San Jose a week or so ago, I saw the fridge/cooler unit at the front of their storefront getting worked on by a repairman. There was a TSA agent standing with him the entire time. I'm guessing it was because of his tools/equipment being inside security.

to say the least, I was surprised by it as they just seem to "trust" these folks at other places. but it was nice to see them give a crap.

Someone with the patience and desire to obtain access and exploit it will do so.

I agree 100%. (even those without patience will exploit it also though...)

 

[Nemrod]

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.

First off Doug, you know I am not angry at you, right? Second, I think we were a full wavelength out of phase, now we are maybe a half wavelength off, if we carried on I think we could get in phase but, the bad thing is that men in dark suits and sunglasses would carry you and me away, I think any further explanation of devices is inappropriate on a scuba forum. BTW, I never said I had "secret knowledge, I said the knowledge was common, quite the opposite. But it does not matter. Technology is a Pandora's Box and unfortunately we cannot control who obtains it. I wish it were secret. :depressed: Thank you, I value your knowledge, maybe sometime we can argue over something useful and productive :kiss2:.

N