Do you have anything in your bag I need to know about?

[kf4amu]

Anyone ever gone through the TSA screening/xray machines and had the machine put an image of a weapon in their bag to "test" the screeners?

Ft Lauderdale March 16th, my friend (who ownes a few handguns and knives...ex army) and I were going through security. The screener stops the belt, backs it up and summons all the other guys. They crowd the monitor and point and discuss. We are wondering wtf is going on. We are almost late for our plane to Freeport.

Turns out the machine put a E-weapon in his bag, except they didnt realize it was fake until they went through the whole procedure when someone tries to smuggle a weapon through security. The accusatory questioning, bag searching, the second guessing wondering if somehow a weapon dropped into the bag in his closet without him noticing. No major deal to us 20 something year olds but I can imagine a 90 year old man or woman with heart trouble would have kicked it.

We were drunk so me and my other friends made fun of our other friend profusely, loudly advising him the TSA would find his furry handcuffs, anal lube, and leather stretch pants. And anal beads. Quite embarrassing for him but oh well.

The screener later told us it was some big curvy dagger that was obvious on the screen. Some test.


Focus: Anybody have this happen to them? Share your experience.

 

[Fury220]

My dad put his coat through security one time. In the chest pocket were his cell phone (a brick-like Nokia) and his keys. Supposedly, the way they settled next to each other looked a LOT like a small automatic (.380 caliber or similar), and it roused the TSA guys enough where they called the cops and questioned him. Of course, if there's a "weapon" in the scanner, they're not allowed to take it out of the scanner (a security measure to prevent the owner from accessing the suspect item), so he couldn't "prove" that he was unarmed until the cops were called.

He still made his flight, so no harm done.

 

[Falconjet]

Again: I must say that there are bad guys out there reading these threads. Sharing security protocols on here doesn't help anybody but them.

Please consider that before you share your stories of what was done to you at the security check points.

FJ

 

[FN FAL]

If you really wanted to test the security, take a part time job as an assembler at a suitcase factory.

Then make a bunch of tin foil silhouettes of Uzis and glue them into the inside wall of the luggage before the interiors are put in.

That would be knee slapper.

Disclaimer: If you are really dumb enough to try this, don't forget to write us from Federal Prison and let us know if that urban folklore about cell mates is true.

 

[mar]

Let me understand the folly

So, if I understand correctly, the machine will produce an electronic image of a weapon at random to see if the operator is awake or not?

That's interesting. And really inconvenient. But since when is all of this nonsense supposed to be convenient.

My only similiar experience was when I was travelling to an interview with one of those leather attache' cases containing nothing more than paper copies of resume's, work history, log book, etc....

It got sent through the x-ray mahcine and the guy wanted to look inside for the metal.

I told him, There's no metal inside the case, just papers.

"Sorry sir, but we're gonna have to run it through one more time."

Me: "Go ahead, knock yourself out."

Long story short, they ran it through a total of three times. On the last run, when they finally flipped it over they discovered the metal they were looking for: the brass buckle on the OUTSIDE of the case.

 

[woofer_77]

Again: I must say that there are bad guys out there reading these threads. Sharing security protocols on here doesn't help anybody but them.

Please consider that before you share your stories of what was done to you at the security check points.

FJ

If your security system depends only on hoping the bad guy doesn't find out how it works, then you're in big trouble. A truly safe security system should not be able to be cracked even when the bad guy knows exactly how it works.

 

[Lostdog65]

Mar said

"Sorry sir, but we're gonna have to run it through one more time."

Me: "Go ahead, knock yourself out."

Long story short, they ran it through a total of three times. On the last run, when they finally flipped it over they discovered the metal they were looking for: the brass buckle on the OUTSIDE of the case.

All I have to say is...ROFLMAO!!!

I don't know how many times I've used that phrase, "Go ahead, knock yourself out." Never got a laugh.

Once argued with a TSA guy with a chip on his shoulder about a brass belt buckle. Never beeps. Never. Never. Never.

He says, "Take it off."

I say, "I doesn't beep."

He says, "Take it off."

I say, "It's brass...it won't beep. Never has. Never will."

He says, "It'll beep on my machine now take it off."

I say (the smart arse kicking in), "I'll bet you five bucks it doesn't beep".

He gives me the "I'm about to call security" look so I whip it off, put it through the scanner. The scanner lady looks at him as if to say, "Dork" and as I walk through I mumble, "It won't beep."

He, not happy that he can't pull me over and body cavity search me, wands me anyways. I hold back a comment about the metal plate being in his head and not mine.

Somedays I wonder about our Federal Gov't...

Eric

 

[Gryphon]

Mar said

All I have to say is...ROFLMAO!!!

I don't know how many times I've used that phrase, "Go ahead, knock yourself out." Never got a laugh.

Once argued with a TSA guy with a chip on his shoulder about a brass belt buckle. Never beeps. Never. Never. Never.

He says, "Take it off."

I say, "I doesn't beep."

He says, "Take it off."

I say, "It's brass...it won't beep. Never has. Never will."

He says, "It'll beep on my machine now take it off."

I say (the smart arse kicking in), "I'll bet you five bucks it doesn't beep".

He gives me the "I'm about to call security" look so I whip it off, put it through the scanner. The scanner lady looks at him as if to say, "Dork" and as I walk through I mumble, "It won't beep."

He, not happy that he can't pull me over and body cavity search me, wands me anyways. I hold back a comment about the metal plate being in his head and not mine.

Somedays I wonder about our Federal Gov't...

Eric

And i'll bet for that 11 bucks an hour or so that he earns, his security training was top notch!!

 

[Going2Baja]

The fake image is called a TIP - threat image projection. Depending on how the TSA boss man of the airport wants to keep track of his screeners the TIPS can be set one in 75 bags or so or much less frequent. It keeps the screeners on their toes (barely.)

Baja.

BTW - forgot to mention there is also a button the machine that says TIP. If the screener correctly identifies the TIP it goes away. If the image is still there then it is a real weapon. So the stories of them calling police over for a fake image isn't true.

Gryphon - they deserve $11/hr. Actually I think it's close to $30k/yr to start. All they need is a HS diploma.

And "no" I didn't work for them - I trained the initial screeners at many of the airports. What a goat rope that was....

 

[kf4amu]

Interesting info about the TIP Baja.

I recently got a 1" X 5" metal plate in my left arm which doesnt set off xray machines. Which is roughly the same size as a hefty knife...

Wierd.

 

[atrdriver]

I had one of the screeners at a FSDO require me to take off my titanium watch. When I told her that it was non magnetic and would not set off the machine she proceded to tell me that the metal detector didn't care about whether it was magnetic or not, it detected metal. Rather than get into HOW it detected metal with her I just took off the watch...much easier.

 

[A Squared]

Interesting info about the TIP Baja.

I recently got a 1" X 5" metal plate in my left arm which doesnt set off xray machines. Which is roughly the same size as a hefty knife...

Wierd.

I have 10 screws and 2 small metal plates in my right foot. Never had a problem with them, but they are made of titanuim.

So that begs the question would one of those titanium frame revolvers pass thru without setting it off?

 

[kf4amu]

So we're sayin a titanium gun wouldnt set the machine off. Wonderful.

 

[NW_Pilot]

If your security system depends only on hoping the bad guy doesn't find out how it works, then you're in big trouble. A truly safe security system should not be able to be cracked even when the bad guy knows exactly how it works.

IF MAN CAN MAKE IT, ANOTHER MAN CAN BREAK IT!!!!!

 

[Goose Egg]

Uh, I once had to take my shoes off.

-Goose

 

[Gorilla]

I had one of the screeners at a FSDO require me to take off my titanium watch. When I told her that it was non magnetic and would not set off the machine she proceded to tell me that the metal detector didn't care about whether it was magnetic or not, it detected metal. Rather than get into HOW it detected metal with her I just took off the watch...much easier.

When I was a kid, my brother and I had a metal detector which we'd use to "treasure hunt", the quintessential dork activity. It was a lot of fun, and we scored a lot of jewelry and coins. The point I'm making is that metal detectors, and I'm pretty sure the TSA uses standard metal detectors, beep with ANY metal.

Think about it... coins are not magnetic. Yet a bulging pocketful of coins or keys will beep like crazy. It doesn't have to be magnetic.

Good thing, too, as there are non-magnetic stainless steels, titanium, aluminum, that make dandy firearms.

 

[Going2Baja]

Bottom line is that MOST TSA agents don't know how the machines operate - they just know how to operate the machines. Every - and I stress EVERY time I go through TSA I see procedures being done wrong or just skipped. The system is by NO means perfect, but it is better than before IMHO.

The easiest way through is to take everything out of your pockets, off your feet and get it done. Try to reason with the TSA and you will loose. These people are much like the high school kid who always got his a$$ kicked and then became a cop - they will screw with you if you screw with them and they WILL win. Yes it sucks - blame it on the Muslims not the replacement players.

Baja.

 

[AA717driver]

Again: I must say that there are bad guys out there reading these threads. Sharing security protocols on here doesn't help anybody but them.

Please consider that before you share your stories of what was done to you at the security check points.

FJ

The Soviets had people working at Groom Lake. Al Q has people working in the TSA. Al Q has people working as rampers and agents. He!!, considering how the airlines are run, I'd say they have terrorists on the BOD at most airlines.

In fact, I'd be looking closely at the ALPA National Executive Board, too. TC

 

[mar]

Just like pilots!

Bottom line is that MOST TSA agents don't know how the machines operate - they just know how to operate the machines.

That part hit a little close to home for me but I'll get over it.

But listen my friend, I appreciate your unique insight on this matter so I have a question.

I absolutely refuse to remove my shoes. I just won't do it. Call me stupid, idiotic and stubborn. That's fine.

But why, when I'm passing through the metal detector, they tell me, "Sir we're looking for more than just metal."

That's the part when I just ignore them.

And then they roll their eyes.

And then I have to go sit down and get my shoes swabbed for "explosive material" or something like that...

So my question is this: If I were to cooperate and behave like a pliant little boy and send my shoes through the x-ray machine like they want then how are they looking for the "more than just metal." Surely the x-ray machine doesn't test for explosive material.

It just seems like harrassment to me and makes me resent them even more.

Americans harrassing Americans makes me crazy.

 

[Going2Baja]

Mar as I stsated earlier it's like that kid that was being beat up and now is a cop. They tell you to take off your shoes, you say no, you don't beep, and then you sit down anyway. The std x-ray machines don't detect explosives but they can see through the shoes. So if your shoes did have explosives (kinda like that moron kid that tried to set his shoes on foire) they would see the different color in the X-ray.

There are new walk through detectors that give a puff of air and then sense for residue...I think some airports have them on line. There are also other walk through detectors than can see through your clothes. This machine is getting big heat from lobbiests (sp?) The machine can see hooter size as well as your johnson. High tech stuff here!

Again - the quickest way to get through the checkpoint is to do what they say and keep on truckin'.

Good luck...Baja.

 

[mar]

Thanks for the response

Again - the quickest way to get through the checkpoint is to do what they say and keep on truckin'.

Yeah, I know. But I often have a lot time to kill in airports.

I figure every swab I make them use is one less they'll use on grandma.

Happy travels.

 

[Gofish]

Gryphon - they deserve $11/hr. Actually I think it's close to $30k/yr to start. All they need is a HS diploma.

Wait a minute now...and I make 20K to be responsible for a kerosene missile with 70 souls onboard through some of the worst weather imagineable??? WTFO ??? Say again >???

Kinda hard to maintain a good attitude when corporate America can crap all over employees (who do the the work and make the money) and the Federal Government pays the "wand monkey" police more with a pension to boot.

But gosh, I do love flying...ok good attitude intact...just slightly frazzled now.

 

[Going2Baja]

No doubt Fish - these are very sorry times in aviation. Some of the scrrrners can't even spell let alone speak in a language that all of us can understand. If you go to the govt hiring website you'll see that almost all the airports are currently hiring screeners http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ When we were training the original group there was close to 25% wash out rate - not because of learning the info but once the background checks came in they were tossed out. One student even brought a real gun to class and was excused. UNREAL!! I'm sure they are digging in the bottom of the barrell now. Keep you eyes and ears open when in an airport because you sure can't trust your safety or safety of others to the TSA.

Baja.

 

[Gryphon]

Baja, i worked at LAS a while back, GSE mech, ramper, i have to agree with your point that some of those trainees need to go back and finish thier education.. i would walk through areas going to get lunch at Taco Hell or whatever, and these folks would rather give someone a hard time rather than process them efficiently. On the other hand, they do have to put up with some really miserable people too. I was going past a checkpoint once and overheard some lady say to the people: " It's a mistake! I didn't mean to put my gun in there, i forgot!" She was some security type or police, and forgot to remove her weapon from her bag.. or maybe the checkpoint was being tested, i didn't find out. New tech is great, but you have to have people that know how to use that tech...

 

[DC8 Flyer]

I have 10 screws and 2 small metal plates in my right foot. Never had a problem with them, but they are made of titanuim.

So that begs the question would one of those titanium frame revolvers pass thru without setting it off?

Damn, whos ass did you break your foot off in?

 

[mar]

If you think that's bad...

dang, whos ass did you break your foot off in?

You should see his face.