Friday, April 27, 2012

TSA Week in Review: Black Powder, Grenades, and Claymore Mines


Black Powder Flask – 5 ounces of black powder in a small flask was discovered at Syracuse (SYR). Even an amount as small as 5oz of black powder in a small container can cause a significant explosion.

Replica Grenades and Mines – Four replica grenades and two replica Claymore mines were discovered in checked baggage at Guam (GUM). I know I’ve said it over and over, but for anybody who may be new to reading this post, we realize that replicas are totally harmless, however, we don’t know that until we’ve gone through all of the motions. Read here and here for more information on why inert items cause problems at checkpoints.

IED Training Aids - We found a similar item just a few weeks ago, but once again, an IED training kit with a training components, a block of simulated SEMTEX-H, and a simulated blasting cap were discovered in checked baggage. This time it was at Columbus (CSG). And in case you’re wondering, it wasn’t an internal test

Items Concealed in VCR: A checked bag  at Newark (EWR) appeared to contain a VCR that had been tampered with. After TSA’s Explosive Detection Team cleared the bag to be searched, it was determined that the contents inside of the unit was a VHS tape along with 23 smartphones each individually wrapped in aluminum foil and taped to the unit. (See photo) There was nothing prohibited or dangerous, so the items were cleared for travel. I don’t know which is more surprising, smartphones in a VCR, or that somebody is still using a VCR. 

People Say the Darndest Things - Here are examples of what not to say at the airport. Statements like these not only delay the people who said them but can also inconvenience lots of other passengers if the checkpoint has to be evacuated:  
·     A passenger receiving a pat-down of their waistband at Minneapolis (MSP) told our officer: “This is where I normally keep my explosives.”

·     A passenger approached a TSA Supervisor and stated she had not been properly screened and that she had not gone through the walk through metal detector or body scanner. After reviewing the CCTV, it was determined she had indeed been screened by the walk through metal detector. 
Miscellaneous Prohibited Items - In addition to all of the other prohibited items we find weekly, our Officers also found firearm components, realistic replica firearms, stun guns, brass knuckles, an inordinate amount of knives, ammunition, and batons.


Firearms - Here are the firearms our Officers found in carry-on baggage since I posted last Friday.

You can travel with your firearms in checked baggage, but they must first be declared to the airline. You can go here for more details on how to properly travel with your firearms. Firearm possession laws vary by state and locality. Travelers should familiarize themselves with state and local firearm laws for each point of travel prior to departure

Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the throughput is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions, that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items in their bag. That’s why it’s important to double check your luggage before you get to the airport.
 
 
If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA

59 comments:

TSORon said...

The number of guns just seems to be increasing Bob. Any ideas why this is happening? Summer? Less restrictive firearms laws?

Anonymous said...

I noticed you didn't mention the TSA guy who let drugs through.

Until you post the bad stuff your own people do, your credibility is zero.

JoJo said...

Here is my TSA week in review. This comment completely complies with your screening policies including shortened URLs. As such, there is no reason not to post it.


Traveller Says TSA Told Him, "GO TO HELLLLLLL" - http://tinyurl.com/822vg6p

TSA Keeps The Spare Change You Leave Behind At Airport Security - http://tinyurl.com/c492gxf

4-Year-Old Gets TSA Pat-Down Following Hug From Grandma - http://tinyurl.com/7y4aluh

Ex-TSA head Kip Hawley: Airport security should focus on bombs and behavior, not knives and liquids - http://tinyurl.com/88jj6oz

The Consumerist Report: TSA Has No Idea How To Screen A 7-Year-Old With Cerebral Palsy - http://tinyurl.com/6m2dnem

Freshman Republican from Texas reports TSA altercation - http://tinyurl.com/bo4eqsr

TSA screeners allegedly let drug-filled luggage through LAX for cash - http://tinyurl.com/bur2cqq

Former TSA officer pleads guilty to bribery - http://tinyurl.com/cuskfo5

I was wrong about the TSA - http://tinyurl.com/7owuw45

Former TSA chief says airport security is broken - http://tinyurl.com/7hoamnv

Ex-TSA Chief Calls Airport Security Screenings 90 Percent "Clutter" - http://tinyurl.com/89fso4e

Congressman says TSA's Pistole needs to go - http://tinyurl.com/86rb3ye


[screenshots taken]

Jarv said...

Thanks, Blogger Bob for posting these catches. The Public seems to NOT know what we catch on a daily basis. Many seem to think that we do "nothing". Also, thank you for the Claymore Anti-Personnel Mine thing. Scary to me as I have a Claymore pellet inbedded in my shoulder from a Training "accident" in Germany in 1965. One killed, 19 injured. Devastatingly effective weapon!
TSO DWJarvis

Jim Huggins said...

And now, the other side of the TSA Week In Review:

Baby "Boom"? A terminal at Newark airport was evacuated and shut down for an hour when TSA determined that, somehow, a baby got through the checkpoint without being screened.

The Price Is Right: Two former and two current TSOs were indicted on federal charges for taking bribes to allow drug-runners through LAX checkpoints without being screened.

TSA Cares, Sort Of: TSOs at JFK caused a family to miss their flight by subjecting the family to multiple screenings of their 7-year-old daughter with disabilities.

Anonymous said...

Interesting that this "week in review" post neglected to mention the week's biggest TSA story, about the baggage screeners who took bribes to ignore drug-filled suitcases. What's most embarrassing is that went on for a long time without any action by the TSA, until one of the drug runners became an FBI informant and brought in the cops. Was TSA management unaware of this activity, or did they just ignore it because it was behind the scenes and nobody could see it? I'm sure we'll never know the answer.

I guess TSA management decided that the best approach to this latest of too many PR catastrophes is to ignore it. That's how the TSA has always addressed its many serious failures and deficiencies, which makes a proven strategy that always works well.

Besides, seeing the weekly tally of successful contraband interdictions is so incredibly impressive (even when "[t]here was nothing prohibited or dangerous") that we just don't mind if TSA "officers" take bribes from drug runners, steal passengers' belongings, harass innocent children, humiliate innocent passengers, and add great unpleasantness to air travel with no evidence that it actually protects anyone from anything. Yes indeedie, you're all doing a heck of a job!

jihadoflove said...

Darn,

I thought today's post would be excusing the FACT that TSA is currently using TSO's that have not had background checks.

You people are amazing!

Anonymous said...

Another Week In Review- another list of items that aren't a threat to the plane:

Replica Grenades and Mines- "replica" means it's not real, and thus Not A Threat

IED Training Aids- in other words, fake. And ... Not A Threat

Items Concealed in VCR- Not A Threat

People Say the Darndest Things - Here are examples of what not to say at the airport.
Things like, "you know… things that go BOOM"??? Or is it Okay for TSA employees to make jokes about explosives, while passengers have to shut up?

realistic replica firearms- "replica"= FAKE, and Not A Threat. Didn't we just go over this?


...and yet, still no comment regarding the rude, inconsiderate, and condescending behavior of TSA screeners toward two different children this week. Still no mention of the congressman who says he was hurt by a screener. Still no mention of the TSA employees who took bribes to sneak drug smugglers through the checkpoints. Still no comment regarding any of the numerous passenger complaints raised in recent blog threads here.

...In other words, Business As Usual for the TSA.

Anonymous said...

Tell me, were any of these items pulled off a crying four year old?

Anonymous said...

What, no brown envelopes full of cash?

SSSS for Some Reason said...

Thank you for sharing... all those things are bad. All those things could do bad things.

But!

How many of those things were going to be bad on the airplane?

If the bad guys are really as close to the line as you say they are, why haven't there been more attacks on american soil? Why has there been nothing since 2001? Why haven't schools or malls or post offices been blowed up? Why haven't more letter bombs been discovered? Why haven't more City Hall's gone up in flames?

Could it be that maybe, just maybe, there are not quite so many terrorists out there as you would like us to believe?

Anonymous said...

How many children did you make cry? That should be a new category for your ridiculous, pointless, and utterly meaningless weekly posts in this vein.

Anonymous said...

The TSA has lost confidence of a large percentage of Americans such as myself. It's a sad day in America when law-abiding citizens have to be virtually stripped searched and inappropriately touched by a workforce that is constantly and repeatedly in the news for "conduct unbecoming", espeically while most of our elected politicians remain silent.


Publishing a list of "good catches" by TSA employees who are paid to do their jobs is no way to gain any credibility. This weekly list of yours is more about TSA employee morale than it is about the American people's concern with your tainted organization.

If the TSA senior leadership had any credibility themselves and respect for the American people, they would resign. Sadly, each week the TSA falls further into disgrace.

Anonymous said...

jihadoflove said...
"I thought today's post would be excusing the FACT that TSA is currently using TSO's that have not had background checks.
"

Apparently the best strategy for a terrorist to get past security is to apply for a job at the TSA. It just boggles the mind.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Bob, you're a riot!

Which of these incredibly dangerous items was smuggled past your crack team of screeners by the Terrorist Baby at EWR?

After all, you guys rescreened the whole terminal because of the incredible slight of hand of this Terrorist Baby.

Thank you guys SO MUCH for protecting us from Terrorist Babies! Good grief.

Anonymous said...

So you big catch of the week was smart phones in a VCR? and the person was allowed to travel with those items? That is news? Are you just trying to avoid a real explanation on what went wrong with the child with cerebral palsy and the 4 year old suspect/terrorist?

....it was determined that the contents inside of the unit was a VHS tape along with 23 smartphones each individually wrapped in aluminum foil and taped to the unit. (See photo) There was nothing prohibited or dangerous, so the items were cleared for travel.

Anonymous said...

TSA employees say the darndest things:

"The suspect is not cooperating" in reference to a crying 4 year old girl. I mean a crying 4 year old terrorist.

Sommer Gentry said...

All of your weapons posts seem to omit the most important statistics about the Transportation Security Administration's performance, Bob. The TSA misses 70 percent or more of weapons in testing, the TSA let 17 known terrorists fly past its vaunted behavior detection officers on 24 separate occasions without catching even one, and the TSA let at least 800 guns and a clearly-labeled two-pound block of C4 onto planes last year.

The weapons described in your updates were never a threat to the aircraft because the passengers who neglectfully carried them are not terrorists. For every one weapon in your article, two more were carried on planes after being missed by TSA. TSA's weapons show-and-tell is a cheap ploy to distract attention from the dozens of arrests of its screeners and managers for theft, drug smuggling, child pornography, prostitution and rape.

Children are now being conditioned to allow strangers to shove hands down their pants, young women are subjected to genital inspections, innocent people are adopting poses of humiliation and surrender in response to barked commands. This is such a great harm to our society that no one with any sense of history could consider reducing the risk of an astronomically-remote adverse event to be justification for TSA's shameful actions. There's just nothing to balance here. The harms are enormous, the benefits are make-believe. Disband the TSA now.

Anonymous said...

Though the items listed may be physically harmless, a passenger pulling a "replica" pistol or grenade would certainly cause panic. Do we remember Flight 93? I would not want to risk being taken down by an air marshal or the crew who are trained to react to deadly threats. They have no way to know the pistol is a "replica".

However, if an item is declared, whether in checked baggage or carry-on the situation changes. I have personally travelled with "real" firearms a number of times without issue. Granted they were checked, but I declared them at check-in, had them inspected by TSA and there were no problems.

As a pilot, I want to know what is on my plane since I am overall responsible for the safety of those onboard.

@TSA Thank you for the work you do. There are issues with unprofessional employees, ridiculous procedures, and over board knee jerk reactions, but there are many passengers that lack the understanding that their actions impact everyone. Frequent travelers develop "common sense", but I would ask the TSA to remind the TSOs periodically that for most passengers that the screening is a strange, uncomfortable and intrusive experience.

Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous. Can you read? They found way more than just a VCR.

Blogger Bob said...

Sommer. That70% is incorrect. We've talked about it before. For your reading pleasure... http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html

Thanks for reading!

Blogger Bob Burns
TSA Blog Team

Anonymous said...

Blogger Bob said...

Sommer. That70% is incorrect. We've talked about it before. For your reading pleasure... http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html


Yeah, the test results where the TSA MISSED 70% of test bombs/guns/whatever were posted in 2006/2007, and the tests were actually done in 2004/2005.

So what?

If more recent tests had showed an improvement, you would be shouting them from the rooftops. But you aren't. Therefore, either no more recent tests have been done OR there have been more recent tests... and they were the same or worse.

Which is it, Bob?

TSORon said...

Anonymous said...
[[I noticed you didn't mention the TSA guy who let drugs through.

Until you post the bad stuff your own people do, your credibility is zero.]]

It might help Anon if you put things into perspective just a bit. He did not “let drugs through”, he helped them through, intentionally. And you seem to have missed the part of the story where he was caught (with TSA’s assistance), fired, and is now being prosecuted for his crimes, and I suspect he will be convicted.

There is also the thing that an employer is required to respect an individuals privacy, and since he has not been convicted of a crime “yet”, TSA’s comments must be limited in scope. TSA is after all an employer as well as a part of the government, remember?

I agree that there is a credibility problems here, but it’s not in the blog area. More like in the comments area.

Anonymous said...

Blogger Bob said...

Sommer. That70% is incorrect. We've talked about it before. For your reading pleasure... http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html

Thanks for reading!

Blogger Bob Burns
TSA Blog Team

..................

Since you walked into this one Bob, what are the current numbers? Are they better than 70%?

Anonymous said...

TSORon said...
It might help Anon if you put things into perspective just a bit. He did not “let drugs through”, he helped them through, intentionally. And you seem to have missed the part of the story where he was caught (with TSA’s assistance), fired, and is now being prosecuted for his crimes, and I suspect he will be convicted.

Are you sure he won't just be sent for 're=training'?? That seems to be the standard response to Screener screw-ups.

But seriously- If there is one screener taking bribes to help smuggle drugs, there's probably others. That's what happens when you hire from ads on pizza boxes and gas pumps. And what's the TSA doing? "Oops, we need employees, and don't have time to wait for a background check, so we'll just hire them anyway." http://huff.to/IAkjMx

Sounds like a plan! You have a problems with employees breaking the law, so hire more without doing background checks! TSA logic.

RB said...

TSORon said...
Anonymous said...
[[I noticed you didn't mention the TSA guy who let drugs through.

Until you post the bad stuff your own people do, your credibility is zero.]]

It might help Anon if you put things into perspective just a bit. He did not “let drugs through”, he helped them through, intentionally. And you seem to have missed the part of the story where he was caught (with TSA’s assistance), fired, and is now being prosecuted for his crimes, and I suspect he will be convicted.

There is also the thing that an employer is required to respect an individuals privacy, and since he has not been convicted of a crime “yet”, TSA’s comments must be limited in scope. TSA is after all an employer as well as a part of the government, remember?

I agree that there is a credibility problems here, but it’s not in the blog area. More like in the comments area.

April 28, 2012 3:29 PM
..................


Oh come off it now Ron. TSA employees from coast to coast have been involved in very serious crimes. Some have recently plead guilty to taking bribes and helping with the movement of drugs. What happens when one of these TSA employees takes a $400 bribe but the package turns out to be something explosive and not drugs?

Then we get to the issues of TSA employees stealing from travelers. Way to many of these incidents to not be concerned.

Then we have just general incompetence of TSA employees. Yelling at a 4 year old! Calling a 4 year old a suspect! Abusing a 7 year old girl and the incidents go on and on! Injuring a United States Congressman. All TSA employees abusing the public and hiding behind SSI.

TSA and its employees have a problem. TSA Adminstrator Pistole has pretty well proven he doens't have the skills to deal with the problem and the public is suffering for his lack of ability.

TSA, to put it very bluntly, is out of control, incompetent, and abuses the public for very little gain of safety.

Jeff said...

Once again, I see nothing that wasn't being caught 20 years ago when metal detectors were being used. There still is no justification for this massive trillion dollar government agency that does little more than find inert grenades, starter pistols, and make mentally-challed 7-year olds cry. I've written my congressman about booting you out of Texas, like they did in Florida.

Anonymous said...

TSORon said...

I agree that there is a credibility problems here, but it’s not in the blog area. More like in the comments area.
----------------------------------

Funny that a TSA employee is trying to whitewash things again.

Irony is not dead after all.

Anonymous said...

Blogger Blogger Bob said...

Sommer. That70% is incorrect. We've talked about it before. For your reading pleasure... http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html

Thanks for reading!

Blogger Bob Burns
TSA Blog Team
---------------------------------

Thanks for that info Bob. So if 70% is old info, what is the current info?

Crack said...

Besides, seeing the weekly tally of successful contraband interdictions is so incredibly impressive (even when "[t]here was nothing prohibited or dangerous") that we just don't mind if TSA "officers" take bribes from drug runners, steal passengers' belongings, harass innocent children, humiliate innocent passengers, and add great unpleasantness to air travel with no evidence that it actually protects anyone from anything. Yes indeedie, you're all doing a heck of a job!))))))))))))))

Fishstick said...

I have to agree that a week in review should include the officers at LAX who were involved in smuggling. Why isnt there information on this? I certainly hope they received the death penalty for giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

Anonymous said...

This comment completely complies with your screening policies including shortened URLs. As such, there is no reason not to post it.

Um, the VCR with the smartphones in it....you might wanna look at your counterparts in other countries for a possible reason why it was done like that.

Chinese Customs caught a woman trying to smuggle in iPhones into China in beer bottles recently: http://tinyurl.com/7vlhvey

Also, Australian Customs has encountered some concealed items like that. Like blank credit cards possibly to be used in Identity Theft hidden in a vaccum cleaner and a radio: http://tinyurl.com/bqtbark

GSOLTSO said...

Anon sez in response to TSORon:"Are you sure he won't just be sent for 're=training'?? That seems to be the standard response to Screener screw-ups."

Pretty certain.

Another Anon sez - "Funny that a TSA employee is trying to whitewash things again."

I just thought it was a regular posting his opinion like the other regulars do. Trust me, that statement is not even close to a whitewash. A whitewash would be "The TSA has never done anything wrong and everything is perfect with them".


Another Anon sez : "Um, the VCR with the smartphones in it....you might wanna look at your counterparts in other countries for a possible reason why it was done like that."

Agreed anon, nice to see someone state the obvious for us. If a specific non-dangerous item can be concealed in an attempt to hide valuable items from prying eyes or to smuggle something illegal, it can also be used to put something dangerous to the airplane in place.

West
TSA Blog Team

GSOLTSO said...

Jarv sez - "Scary to me as I have a Claymore pellet inbedded in my shoulder from a Training "accident" in Germany in 1965"

Yup, when I was in the Army, we used to call everything in front of a claymore "swiss cheese", and everything immediately behind it "Jello".

While this was not a "live" Claymore, it can still be used to create panic or intimidate folks, creating an unsafe situation for all involved.

TSORon sez - "The number of guns just seems to be increasing Bob. Any ideas why this is happening? Summer? Less restrictive firearms laws?"

I can come up with no commonality for the increase in numbers Ron. I think the most common thread we see in the explanation of the weapon being there seems to be "I forgot it" or "I didn't know that was in this bag". I honestly do not think firearms laws play that much into it, it may simply be carelessness or lack of awareness of the folks showing up with the firearms.

West
TSA Blog Team

Anonymous said...

Blogger Bob said...
"Sommer. That70% is incorrect. We've talked about it before. For your reading pleasure... http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html"

As many posters here have stated before, we won't believe you are doing any better now until you prove it.

Refusing to allow independent testing does not inspire confidence. I very much doubt that a new test would show any better results.

Any screening system that requires humans to be attentive for long periods of time day after day can never work. That's why metal detectors are good tools. They never get tired or distracted. A human watching a screen will always miss stuff.

Anonymous said...

You forgot:

- harassed a four year old for hugging her ganny
- harrassed a seven year old for being disabled. Made her and family miss flight.
- Asked a senior citizen if she was wearing a sanitary pad or "something down there" in public after whole body imaging.
- shut down a whole terminal because a mother handed a baby to a father.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure everyone of those items were found on 4 year olds or 80 year old grandmothers, too.

Anonymous said...

Bob,

If 70% is old information but you keep refusing to release a new number, we can only go by the one and only report you have released.

Maybe you are not doing more testing to prevent further embarrassment? Maybe you are keeping it quiet because the new numbers are even worse?

We don't know! And so people will continue using 70% until new numbers are released. My guess is that if the new numbers were better, you would have let everyone know that you are improving.

tsaoutofourpants said...

"Blogger Bob said...
Sommer. That70% is incorrect. We've talked about it before. For your reading pleasure... http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/12/70-detection-failure-rate-being.html"

When the TSA screened me carrying metal objects through the body scanner, its failure rate was 100%. Blog. Video. Sommer was being too kind with her 70% estimate.

Screenshot.

--Jon

RB said...

Who did the TSA terrorize today?

George said...

@Anonymous, April 28, 2012 12:33 PM: I would ask the TSA to remind the TSOs periodically that for most passengers that the screening is a strange, uncomfortable and intrusive experience.

I know I will never see the TSA's operating procedures, since (as Blogger Bob continually reminds us) their secrecy is key to TSA's effectiveness in protecting aviation. However, I'm absolutely certain that buried in the "definitions" section of those secret operating procedures is the following entry:

Security: A strange, uncomfortable and intrusive experience inflicted by TSOs upon any individual who enters a TSA checkpoint requesting to be granted the privilege of flying. (See Enemy and Terrorist.)

No matter how inconsistently or incompetently a given TSO interprets those secret operating procedures, we can be sure he or she has demonstrated full knowledge of the TSA's definition of "Security" before being allowed to bellow commands at any passengers.

Anonymous said...

I have a question for those of you saying that TSA caused a family to miss their flight because of screening on their disabled daughter . Did you ever stop to consider the possibility that they showed up late for their flight in the first place? Chances ate that's the case but it's easier to blame TSA as opposed to admitting that they were late. Whether or not the procedures are flawed that family should have allowed plenty of time knowing that their daughter would require additional screening.

Trust me I know a lot of the rules are ridiculous and sometimes TSA is reactive as opposed to proactive but we can't blame them for everything, especially in this situation.

Also, if screeners would have missed the simulated explosives would all of you be up in arms? Would you be talking about how atrocious it is that they didn't find them?

Jared said...

@GSOLTSO: Then by your estimation you should probably check the asshole of every person walking through security because you'd be AMAZED at what you can hide up there.

BlognDog said...

Funny how your post ignores the fact that "simulated IED training aids" and "simulated Semtex" are perfectly legal to bring on board an aircraft.

RB said...

Ok TSA found some items. At what cost to the taxpayers?

What was the cost of finding each of these items found during the week per enplanement?

Anonymous said...

GSOLTSO said...

...Trust me, that statement is not even close to a whitewash...

-----------------------------------

The TSA refusing to answer questions is far worse than a whitewash.

So will we get an answer to what is the failure rate for finding guns, or anything else?

Or will you and Bob stick with the whitewash answer Bob gave above?

TSM said...

Quoted:
JoJo said...
Here is my TSA week in review. This comment completely complies with your screening policies including shortened URLs. As such, there is no reason not to post it.


Traveller Says TSA Told Him, "GO TO HELLLLLLL" - http://tinyurl.com/822vg6p
---------------
"Traveller Says"


TSA Keeps The Spare Change You Leave Behind At Airport Security - http://tinyurl.com/c492gxf
------------
Uh, What do you want done with it? Fed Gov says it has to go back to the Gov. That's what's being done. maybe people should pick up thier stuff.


4-Year-Old Gets TSA Pat-Down Following Hug From Grandma - http://tinyurl.com/7y4aluh
-----------
OK, TSOs messed up initially, but rthe screening had to be accomplished. Overseas they DO use children to smuggle or as suiced bombers.


Ex-TSA head Kip Hawley: Airport security should focus on bombs and behavior, not knives and liquids - http://tinyurl.com/88jj6oz
-----------------
The guy is pushing a book. Why didn't he make these changes when he was in charge?


The Consumerist Report: TSA Has No Idea How To Screen A 7-Year-Old With Cerebral Palsy - http://tinyurl.com/6m2dnem
--------
We messed up.


Freshman Republican from Texas reports TSA altercation - http://tinyurl.com/bo4eqsr
------------
Uh huh, He's in Congress, didn't like the patdown. Change the law.


TSA screeners allegedly let drug-filled luggage through LAX for cash - http://tinyurl.com/bur2cqq
----------------
And were arrested and fired.


Former TSA officer pleads guilty to bribery - http://tinyurl.com/cuskfo5
--------------
Same deal.


I was wrong about the TSA - http://tinyurl.com/7owuw45

Former TSA chief says airport security is broken - http://tinyurl.com/7hoamnv
---------------
The guy is pushing a book. Why didn't he make these changes when he was in charge?


Ex-TSA Chief Calls Airport Security Screenings 90 Percent "Clutter" - http://tinyurl.com/89fso4e
--------------------
The guy is pushing a book. Why didn't he make these changes when he was in charge?


Congressman says TSA's Pistole needs to go - http://tinyurl.com/86rb3ye
---------------
We agree. He puts csr service ahead of security.


[screenshots taken]

April 27, 2012 7:16 PM

Anonymous said...

There is such thing as children terrorists I fly often, and would rather have someone pat me down, search my luggage, whatever they need to do.. So I know I will get home to my family safely. If you have nothing to hide.. Why all the complaints? Oh and I'm from NY, and maybe you should have seen the people jumping from the buildings for yourself- then maybe your attitude of the TSA would change. Get real people.

Electrician said...

Holy crap, i love this blog because it simply boggles me what people are moving around with, some of this stuff is down right crazy.

Anonymous said...

Where do you get your information from a cereal box?

Anonymous said...

It is painfully evident and unfortunate that a good number of the posts here were written by single-brain-celled societal flotsam who have nothing better to do than to visit forums inbetween hits off their pipes.

Listen sheep, you want to trash the TSA? There are plenty of sites that will accept you and your condesending, manufactured attitudes with open arms. If you want credibility, employ some critical thought and original thinking for a change instead of spewing the same old tripe.

Keep up the good work Bob, and try not to let the children get to you.

Anonymous said...

Please stop stalling, you're the one who brought it up. If you are contending that the 70 % is no longer accurate, please provide us with the latest numbers.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
"Please stop stalling, you're the one who brought it up. If you are contending that the 70 % is no longer accurate, please provide us with the latest numbers."

I doubt the TSA has any idea what the actual numbers are. Since there would always be the possibility that someone would leak the results, I doubt they measure.

RB said...

Anonymous said...
It is painfully evident and unfortunate that a good number of the posts here were written by single-brain-celled societal flotsam who have nothing better to do than to visit forums inbetween hits off their pipes.

Listen sheep, you want to trash the TSA? There are plenty of sites that will accept you and your condesending, manufactured attitudes with open arms. If you want credibility, employ some critical thought and original thinking for a change instead of spewing the same old tripe.

Keep up the good work Bob, and try not to let the children get to you.

May 2, 2012 4:38 PM
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We expect all contributors to be respectful. We will not post comments that contain personal attacks of any kind; refer to Federal Civil Service employees by name; contain offensive terms that target specific ethnic or racial groups, or vulgar language. We will not post comments that are spam, are clearly off topic or that promote services or products.
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Bob, it is well known that I believe censorship by TSA is a clear violation of the First Amendment but since you refuse to comply with the United States Constitution and continue censoring on this blog I have to question just why the post I copied was allowed?

If you are going to act as censor why not try being consistent?

Wintermute said...

"It is painfully evident and unfortunate that a good number of the posts here were written by single-brain-celled societal flotsam who have nothing better to do than to visit forums inbetween hits off their pipes.

"Listen sheep, you want to trash the TSA? There are plenty of sites that will accept you and your condesending, manufactured attitudes with open arms. If you want credibility, employ some critical thought and original thinking for a change instead of spewing the same old tripe.

"Keep up the good work Bob, and try not to let the children get to you."


I believe this violates your comment policy of "being respectful." Why was the pro-TSA comment insulting your detractors allowed, while many of my anti-TSA remarks which follows the guidelines censored? And, judging by some other remarks, it appears that many others are as well. Why is censorship so rampant on a government site?

RB said...

Anonymous said...
I have a question for those of you saying that TSA caused a family to miss their flight because of screening on their disabled daughter . Did you ever stop to consider the possibility that they showed up late for their flight in the first place? Chances ate that's the case but it's easier to blame TSA as opposed to admitting that they were late. Whether or not the procedures are flawed that family should have allowed plenty of time knowing that their daughter would require additional screening.

Trust me I know a lot of the rules are ridiculous and sometimes TSA is reactive as opposed to proactive but we can't blame them for everything, especially in this situation.

Also, if screeners would have missed the simulated explosives would all of you be up in arms? Would you be talking about how atrocious it is that they didn't find them?

April 30, 2012 9:24 PM
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Anon, had you done the least bit of reading about this incident you would have found that the family had been at their departure gate for an hour before TSA decided they had screwed up again.

Now what should have happened since TSA allowed an unscreened person into the sterile area was for the terminal to be dumped, aircraft recalled, a full inspection of the terminal, and rescreening of all people being delayed for their flights since TSA had once again screwed up.

I'm wondering just why TSA didn't protect the public that day in the proper manner?

Anonymous said...

Um Hm....and was the Civil War powder flask RETURNED to the owner or will our esteemed government steal it and auction it off to a collector. OR, is it already in the posession of someone in TSA for their own collection?

My guess is that it found its' way into someone's collection that same day.

Anonymous said...

"Now what should have happened since TSA allowed an unscreened person into the sterile area was for the terminal to be dumped, aircraft recalled, a full inspection of the terminal, and rescreening of all people being delayed for their flights since TSA had once again screwed up.

I'm wondering just why TSA didn't protect the public that day in the proper manner?"

Oh, please. Only about 10% of the baggage handlers and mechanics are screened on any given day. That a non-screened person made it to the "sterile" area is absolutely not news.

The news is the fiction of the sterile area. The Patriot Pilot pointed that out and was immediately silenced. This isnt' about security, it's about the allusion of security.

Anonymous said...

"But seriously- If there is one screener taking bribes to help smuggle drugs, there's probably others. That's what happens when you hire from ads on pizza boxes and gas pumps. And what's the TSA doing? "Oops, we need employees, and don't have time to wait for a background check, so we'll just hire them anyway." http://huff.to/IAkjMx"

And I'm quite sure the screener taking the bribes ensured what was being smuggled was drugs, right? There's no way a terrorist group would claim to be smuggling drugs but would really be smuggling explosives, is there? I mean, a screener would draw the line there, right?