Suspicious Bags On Swa!!

[acarpe3448]

I was just watching CNN and heard them talking about several suspicious bags that were removed from 2 SWA flights. They said that these bags had Clay, Bleach, and Box Cutters in them along with notes that said "Security Not Very Tight." Sound like a couple of US Citizens with to much time and not enough brains?

 

[LiveFreeorDie]

Sounds like someone is either trying to embarass the TSA or hurt SWA sales.

Just proves that there isn't much you can do to prevent lunatics from being looney. Too bad we have already spent billions on the new TSA.

I remember my wife asking me if it was safe to fly after Sept 11th. She seemed to think the fighter CAP over the cities would keep her safe. I didn't tell her they were there to shoot her @$$ down if she was hijacked! Yeah honey you'll be fine, go have a nice time at mother-in-laws house!

 

[canyonblue]

Southwest Airlines Statement

DALLAS, Oct 17, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- While performing maintenance on an aircraft lavatory in New Orleans last evening, several items were discovered in a lavatory compartment. The items, inside a small plastic bag, included a small number of boxcutters and other items intended to simulate a threat.

A similar discovery was made in Houston last night on another aircraft during a scheduled maintenance inspection (C check).

A note in both packages indicated the items were intended to challenge the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint security procedures.

Both discoveries were made on Thursday night, Oct. 16, by Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) Employees. These items were immediately turned over to authorities with whom we will continue to cooperate during this investigation.

After consulting with the TSA, we immediately completed inspections of our entire fleet of 385 aircraft and found no additional miscellaneous items. We continue to cooperate with the TSA and FBI to determine the origin of these items.

We will not speculate on who might have left these items onboard. We will cooperate with the federal authorities to investigate this thoroughly.

 

[canyonblue]

WASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - All commercial aircraft will be searched by U.S. security personnel within the next 24 hours after the discovery of box cutters, bleach and other items aboard two Southwest Airlines Inc. planes, federal law enforcement officials said on Friday.

They said the FBI, working with the Department of Homeland Security, is investigating the discovery of the box cutters, bleach and other items found late on Thursday in plastic bags on the planes that landed in Houston and New Orleans.

Box cutters were used as a weapon by the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers.

The search of all aircraft was directed by the Department of Homeland Security and its Transportation Security Administration, the officials said.

In Dallas, Southwest said the items were discovered in a lavatory compartment while maintenance was being performed on an aircraft lavatory in New Orleans on Thursday evening. Inside a small plastic bag were a small number of box cutters and other items, it said.

A similar discovery was made in Houston Thursday night on another aircraft during a scheduled maintenance inspection, the airline said.

A note in both packages indicated the items were intended to challenge the TSA checkpoint security procedures, Southwest said. It immediately turned over the items to authorities.

Southwest said it completed inspections of its entire fleet of 385 aircraft and found no additional items.

"We continue to cooperate with the TSA and FBI to determine the origin of these items," it said in a statement. "We will not speculate on who might have left these items onboard."

The law enforcement officials said the investigation is being led by the joint terrorism task forces in Houston and New Orleans.

They said it was a coincidence that FBI Director Robert Mueller was in Houston on Friday for a visit to the local FBI field office. Mueller regularly makes such visits.

Box cutters and bleach are items prohibited from being brought on planes.

 

[FL717]

Suspicious bags on SWA

I just flew on SWA not too long ago... and the bags weren't suspicious at all. In fact they were as nice and friendly as they have ever been.

Ohhhh... you mean bags as in "bags". I need to start reading the whole thread, not just the title.

I'm sorry...in that case never mind.

 

[TaxiDriver]

FL717-

Dude!! So stretched for time, you only read the titles and then respond to them??? That can't be true.....you must have had your F/O read you the entire post. That's where you messed up big time....buddy!!!

Remember, your F/O cannot be trusted. They are in the right seat with the sole purpose to get you violated and fired!

Where were you on Day 1!?!?!?

 

[JJJ]

There was an "expert" on the news speculating that it was a FA since they are in labor negotations.

 

[bravodude]

your fo is there to get you violated ( i hope you jokeing) if not you need to relax and lay of that funny stuff youve been smoking lately.

 

[FL717]

FL717-

Where were you on Day 1!?!?!?

You got me! I missed Day 1. I was trying to spend all that new Captain money before it even rolls in. Gotta get me a new Caddy!

Credit cards rule!!

Yeah... those shifty eyed FO's... gotta watch'em!!

 

[flyingitalian]

Actually since the FAs have to go through security and not one single one of them has a sida badge to go around security, they are the least likely group to have done such a stunt.

 

[BHS]

FL717, that's Steally Eyed F/O. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

 

[FL717]

FL717, that's Steally Eyed F/O. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

LOLOL!!

 

[320AV8R]

FBI holds student over airline scare
(Filed: 18/10/2003)


A student is being questioned by the FBI after box cutters and other potential weapons were found concealed on two American airliners.

The box cutters - the weapon used by the September 11 hijackers - were found on the Southwest airliners in Houston and New Orleans.

Also discovered was a clay-like substance, bleach and a note questioning airline security, said a law enforcement source. It is believed the potential weapons were hidden to highlight security lapses rather than to perpetrate a terror attack.

Officials said the 20-year-old college student from North Carolina was being questioned in connection to the finds in Baltimore.

Southwest Airlines said in a statement: "While performing maintenance on an aircraft lavatory in New Orleans on Thursday evening, several items were discovered in a lavatory compartment.

"The items, inside a small plastic bag, included a small number of box cutters and other items intended to simulate a threat. A similar discovery was made in Houston on another aircraft during a scheduled maintenance inspection.

"A note in both packages indicated the items were intended to challenge the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint security procedures."

Southwest Airlines said it immediately inspected its entire fleet of 385 aircraft and there were no further suspicious finds.

It added: "We will not speculate on who might have left these items on board. We will co-operate with the federal authorities to investigate this thoroughly."

The discovery prompted the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA to order all US commercial flights to be searched within 24 hours.

More than 7,000 aircraft were being searched, but despite the massive operation there were no reports of significant delays so far.

It is understood the bleach was contained in suntan lotion bottles and the clay was inside Play-Doh containers. The Houston flight took off from Austin, Texas, and the New Orleans flight originated in Orlando, Florida.

The discovery of box cutters revived memories of the September 11 attacks. The 19 al-Qa'eda terrorists used the weapons to hijack the airliners which they later crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

 

[Aplus9]

Great,

Now there will be two reasons to blame us stews for bringing down SWA - our uncontrollable greed and uncontainable maliciousness.

low,

DALLAS, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Less than 24 hours after finding two suspicious packages in two separate aircraft, the chief of operations at Southwest Airlines responds to the swift action taken by the Federal Bureau of Investigations this afternoon.

"We are absolutely thrilled to receive this news so quickly," said Jim Wimberly, Southwest's executive vice president and chief of operations. "Our Employees who responded immediately in searching all 385 of our aircraft last night are my personal heroes. I am also grateful for the swift action taken by the Transportation Security Administration and the FBI. They provided excellent guidance and insight as they lead this investigation."

Southwest has been reliably informed that the suspect is not a Southwest Airlines Employee or connected to Southwest Airlines in any way.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines



Aplus

 

[skyward80]

Anybody think this event will actually change airport security? I think the TSA is too busy figuring out how to blow their cash to do any real work. If some idiot undergrad can place this sort of thing on an aircraft, think about what a trained terrorist can do.

Security in the US has always been a joke. I was in ATL in the international terminal 3 months to the day after 9/11. I saw a door open with big red letters on it stating that it should remain closed for security reasons. When I told one of the security folks about it, he just asked me if I was from the FAA. When I said no, he said, "I think it will be fine." Gee... now I feel our warm and fuzzy inside.

The TSA strips searches old people and harasses flight and cabin crews. What a joke... except it's not.

Skyward80

 

[T1bubba]

I picked the wrong day to go outside security for some food...

T1


Screeners' mistake holds up 40 flights

Carlos Miller
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 18, 2003 12:00 AM


A procedural blunder by Transportation Security Administration screeners disrupted flights for more than 4,000 passengers Friday night at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

More than 40 flights were delayed for several hours while police and federal security officials combed the airport in search of a man possibly carrying a knife.

It is not clear if the man, who minutes earlier had been waved through the security checkpoint by screeners, even had a knife, Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Suzanne Luber said.

"The possibility exists that something may have gone through," she said.

It started at 5:10 p.m. in Terminal 4 when a screener spotted what appeared to be a knife in a passenger's carry-on bag as it passed through an X-ray machine.

That screener informed a second screener, who searched the bag but found nothing, Luber said. The second screener then waved the passenger through. He was never located.

Within minutes, transportation agency officials realized they failed to follow through with the third step required for such incidents, which led to the evacuation of the six concourses. Luber did not describe what the required third step entailed, citing security reasons.

It was two hours before passengers were allowed back inside the evacuated areas.

During that time, tempers flared as thousands of passengers stood in lines that stretched clear across the terminal.

"This is a result of the Bush administration, which wants to treat us like cattle," said Mark Williams, 52, a University of Colorado professor who had been waiting in line for more than two hours.

One passenger, trying not to let the setback interfere with her weekend partying plans, butted heads with a police officer who snatched her beer as she stood in line.

"The airport owes me five bucks for that," she said, adding that she carried the beer out of an airport bar.

 

[colorado418]

.

"This is a result of the Bush administration, which wants to treat us like cattle," said Mark Williams, 52, a University of Colorado professor who had been waiting in line for more than two hours.

A brilliant statement here. Hmm. Yes, Bush is to blame. It clearly states in the article that they did not follow procedure.

What percentage of TSA folks had a criminal background when they finally got done checking them? 10%. I think 5,000 of our TSA "security" folks had criminal backgrounds. Maybe is was stealing from their employer, you know, like taking a Big Mac when it was not break time???

 

[colorado418]

College Student Caught

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A 20-year-old North Carolina student has admitted placing box cutters and other suspicious materials aboard two Southwest Airlines planes, law enforcement sources told CNN Friday.

The admission, the sources said, came during questioning of the individual by federal authorities in Baltimore, Maryland.

In a written statement, FBI spokeswoman Cassandra Chandler said the individual questioned is "believed to be responsible for the matter involving box cutters and other items found on Southwest Airlines planes.

"Based on the investigation conducted thus far, this individual does not appear to pose any further threat to airline security," Chandler said.

"This investigation is continuing and is being conducted by FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Forces ... in coordination with the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland. Proceedings are anticipated this Monday in United States District Court in Baltimore."

The sources said the individual -- described as a male student of Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina -- was a passenger aboard the planes, and not an employee of the airline or airports. They said the individual is cooperating with officials, and they stressed he has not been arrested or detained.

The Transportation Security Administration said the individual was tracked down, in part, due to an e-mail sent to the TSA last month in which he mentioned items that were "linked" to the Thursday night discovery.

"TSA and the FBI have had this individual's activities under investigation for several months," the TSA said in a statement.

"He left a trail," said a Bush administration official, who added that the e-mail gives details of locations, times and places where contraband was put on the airplanes.

The items found aboard the two planes included box cutters, clay that resembled plastic explosives and bleach, sources familiar with the investigation said. The liquid was contained in suntan lotion bottles; the clay was inside Play-Doh containers.

The material was discovered in plastic bags in the bathrooms of the Southwest planes in New Orleans and Houston, during maintenance checks. The Houston flight originated in Austin, Texas; the New Orleans flight originated in Orlando, Florida.

Notes in each package "indicated the items were intended to challenge the TSA's checkpoint security procedures," a Southwest statement said.

The man claimed to have done this on other planes, not just the two on which items were found, the administration official said. However, no other items have been discovered.

Southwest Airlines said it searched its fleet of 385 aircraft and found no similar items.

The official said that in the e-mail the man characterized what he was doing as "civil disobedience," indicating he knew he was breaking the law but believed it was necessary to point out weaknesses in aviation security.

Security checks ordered