Liquids and IEDs

[UALjan15]

Most of us, and certainly the govt, were well aware that seemingly harmless components could easily pass through security and later be assembled on an aircraft, with disasterous results. Up until today, our collective strategy has been "hope." As in, we just hope they won't think of that.

To me, that strategy just doesn't hack it. I would like to see an effort made to prevent these bomb components from passing through security. Much easier said than done, however. The bomb needs 4 components: power, detonator, trigger/timer, and explosive. Unless you are ready to ban cell phones, laptops, and PDAs, you aren't going to solve power and trigger/timer. The examples of detonators I've seen are way too small to screen reliably. That leaves the explosives--more specifically, plastics and liquids. I want them screened.

That said, what is the best way to do this?

• Current X-ray machine? I think it's too easy to miss something, given the limited skill of the operators
• Individual bag search? Too time consuming! Also subject to missing something in a hidden pocket, etc
• Dogs? I like the idea, but we're talking about a lot of pooches.
• Electronic sniffers? I know we have machines that can sniff out plastics and other explosive residue, but they are not widely deployed. Can they detect nitro and other liquids? I think this is the best solution, but I sense that we need some technical advancements and a large infusion of $$$$

Today's events are a blessing in disguise. A glaring gap in our security procedures has been exposed to the public, but without 9 widebodies hitting the drink. The govt will now need to address this problem head on, instead of relying on a strategy of hope. Or am I being too optimistic on this last point?

 

[scoreboard]

hopefully your right. Hopefully people stop treating roller bags with zipout expandable condo conversions as carry ons and start checking them.

 

[UALjan15]

CNN had the former Sec. of the TSA on for an interview. He started off by saying that since the 1995 Phillipine incident, we have been aware of terrorist plans to use liquid explosive bombs. When the interviewer asked him if we had dropped the ball by not screening for these liquids, he replied by basically stating that we didn't imagine them doing this!

The sad answer is that our government acts only in a reactionary manner. Even though we can see our vulnerabilities, we are unable to summon the resolve and resources to anticipate the terrorist's possible next attack and stop them BEFORE they attempt it.

Thankfully, intelligence agencies seem to have picked up their game significantly....a trend that we will depend on to continue, as we don't have much chance of stopping them at the security checkpoint.

 

[HighSpeedClimb]

There will be many stinky pilots operating flights in the near future..No shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, chapstick, creams and gels..

 

[81Horse]

There will be many stinky pilots operating flights in the near future..No shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, chapstick, creams and gels..

I'm rushing to get my products to a store near you!

 

[jimcav]

Intellegence gathering is our best weapon, until the New York Times or the ACLU gets involved. Makes me want to grab a lead pipe and beat on the editor of that scumbag liberal paper.

 

[Guitar rocker]

Intellegence gathering is our best weapon, until the New York Times or the ACLU gets involved. Makes me want to grab a lead pipe and beat on the editor of that scumbag liberal paper.

Yah, intelligence gathering is second to profiling though. But the ACLU would be all over that like flies on $hit. But, I'm just wondering how many attacks on airplanes it would take to realize that profiling is a good thing. 10? 20?100? Had these kids nailed those 10 planes, what a tragedy that would have been....I wonder how many pilots would be out on the street after that? Not to mention all the other people this would have affected.

Next thing these A-rabs are gonna do is swallow some device or maybe even have it surgically planted, get on a plane, call a number and thats all she wrote. Before yah know it, were all gonna be getting X-ray'd or CT scanned before we get on an airliner. You know it.....show time for an airline anywhere will be suggested at 6 hours prior to departure if yah wanna get on.

 

[FN FAL]

There will be many stinky pilots operating flights in the near future..No shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, chapstick, creams and gels..

If pielets can afford those luxuries, they be making way too much money.