Airport Security: Why Profiling is Imperative

Flying in the US these days is scary. Not so much because of the airplanes, but because of the TSA's overly-invasive scanning and groping techniques. Its going to get even worse...as the Guardian Reports today, terrorists are going to be surgically implanting bombs into themselves, that current technology does not detect.

American officials have warned airlines that they believe al-Qaida is developing "belly bombs" to beat airport security and allow suicide bombers to launch terror attacks on board passenger planes.

The department of homeland security has sent a bulletin to airline executives saying it has identified a potential threat from terrorists who could "surgically implant explosives or explosive components in humans".

Although many airports use advanced imaging technology that can "see" through people's clothing, the technology might not pick up a bomb which is hidden inside a body.

"Due to the significant advances in global aviation security in recent years, terrorist groups have repeatedly and publicly indicated interest in pursuing ways to further conceal explosives," said Kawika Riley, spokesman for the department's transport security administration.

"As a precaution, passengers flying from international locations to US destinations may notice additional security measures."

Experts say the explosives could be implanted in abdomens, buttocks and breasts allowing suicide bombers to pass undetected through airport body scanners. Explosive compounds such as pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) could be implanted, then the person's wounds allowed to heal, making the material difficult to detect. On board the plane, the material could be detonated by injection. Guardian

There is a solution which works, though the world is loath to use it -- profiling.

Its been working successfully in Israel for years, and without overly invasive technology that does naked body scanning. Focus on the person and their intention; not 90 year old grandmothers or 5 year olds. Despite the rare slip up in which a weapon did get on board a plane from Israel's Ben-Gurion airport, it was never used in a terror act because the person was not a threat. Guns and bombs aren't the primary threat -- terrorists are. And they don't even need a bomb to bring down a plane, it can even be a box cutter.

Fly Safe!

hat-tip: Purple Parrot :)


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TSA. More Stupidity

The following appeared on the RS blog.

As the Chalk Leader for my flight home from Afghanistan, I witnessed the following:

When we were on our way back from Afghanistan, we flew out of Baghram Air Field. We went through customs at BAF, full body scanners (no groping), had all of our bags searched, the whole nine yards.

Our first stop was Shannon, Ireland to refuel. After that, we had to stop at Indianapolis, Indiana to drop off about 100 folks from the Indiana National Guard. That’s where the stupid started.

First, everyone was forced to get off the plane–even though the plane wasn’t refueling again. All 330 people got off that plane, rather than let the 100 people from the ING get off. We were filed from the plane to a holding area. No vending machines, no means of escape. Only a male/female latrine.

It’s probably important to mention that we were ALL carrying weapons. Everyone was carrying an M4 Carbine (rifle) and some, like me, were also carrying an M9 pistol. Oh, and our gunners had M-240B machine guns. Of course, the weapons weren’t loaded. And we had been cleared of all ammo well before we even got to customs at Baghram, then AGAIN at customs.

The TSA personnel at the airport seriously considered making us unload all of the baggage from the SECURE cargo hold to have it reinspected. Keep in mind, this cargo had been unpacked, inspected piece by piece by U.S. Customs officials, resealed and had bomb-sniffing dogs give it a one-hour run through. After two hours of sitting in this holding area, the TSA decided not to reinspect our Cargo–just to inspect us again: Soldiers on the way home from war, who had already been inspected, reinspected and kept in a SECURE holding area for 2 hours. Ok, whatever. So we lined up to go through security AGAIN.

This is probably another good time to remind you all that all of us were carrying actual assault rifles, and some of us were also carrying pistols.

So we’re in line, going through one at a time. One of our Soldiers had his Gerber multi-tool. TSA confiscated it. Kind of ridiculous, but it gets better. A few minutes later, a guy empties his pockets and has a pair of nail clippers. Nail clippers. TSA informs the Soldier that they’re going to confiscate his nail clippers. The conversation went something like this:

TSA Guy: You can’t take those on the plane.

Soldier: What? I’ve had them since we left country.

TSA Guy: You’re not suppose to have them.

Soldier: Why?

TSA Guy: They can be used as a weapon.

Soldier: [touches butt stock of the rifle] But this actually is a weapon. And I’m allowed to take it on.

TSA Guy: Yeah but you can’t use it to take over the plane. You don’t have bullets.

Soldier: And I can take over the plane with nail clippers?

TSA Guy: [awkward silence]

Me: Dude, just give him your damn nail clippers so we can get the f**k out of here. I’ll buy you a new set.

Soldier: [hands nail clippers to TSA guy, makes it through security]

This might be a good time to remind everyone that approximately 233 people re-boarded that plane with assault rifles, pistols, and machine guns–but nothing that could have been used as a weapon.

Profiling works.

Stupid TSA tactics like this, including the "opt-out" uber-pat-down-molest-grope, do not.

hat-tip: Lurker.

Here is a video of the TSA patting down a now shirtless boy:



And a TSA agent was recently arrested for rape of a 14 year old girl:


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Netanyahu's Security Personnel's Guns Stolen from US flight

4 Glock handguns were stolen from a suitcase that belonged to the Shin Bet security detail traveling to the USA with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The suitcases were located in LA...

WASHINGTON - American Airlines security personnel lost the luggage of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bodyguards as they traveled to Washington from John F. Kennedy airport in New York, according to NBC network reports on Wednesday night.

The lost luggage was eventually located in Los Angeles, but four Glock pistols had disappeared. Local police believe they had been stolen. The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment.

The case containing the pistols was to have gone to Washington where Israeli guards had been sent to guard the prime minister's entourage during his visit to the White House. The airport authorities in New York said police were investigating whether the pistols had been stolen there or in Los Angeles.

A source at the airport said the luggage had been screened by security personnel and cleared for flight. A spokesman for American Airlines said in matters linked to security, they allow law enforcement agencies to deal with the case and don't intervene.

The Shin Bet confirmed the report and said the case is being investigated by Israeli security and local authorities in the US. (ynetnews)

I wonder if the suitcase contained the following notice:


Some advice for the security detail: in the future, try to make the suitcase with the handguns in it less conspicuous.

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