New Airline Rules

[smart blonde]

Here's just one of the many articles on the man who foiled the terrorist's plan to blow up the plane on Christmas day. This guy really is a hero!
http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_14075628?source=rss

 

[Gozgals]

Here's the answer in a nutshell: September 11, 2001.

Almost 3,000 people died within 102 minutes, on American soil, due to acts of terrorism involving four American hijacked airplanes.

Also, billions of dollars in American property and real estate were destroyed.

I believe that the terrorist's "obsession with airports" started long before Homeland Security's obsession with airports.

Reasonable precautions are necessary when considering the state of affairs of terrorism and when we reflect back on Sept. 11.

New rules as such will not prevent another terror attack but just inconvenience said passengers. My gut instinct is these rules will not be in effect for very long. Exceptions for health related problems, babies and the elderly must be made too.

 

[Melanie]

Well now that the terrorists know the new policy - what does it matter. We all know terrorists track all these policies and will act accordingly. Can't believe we let another one slide by. I still can't believe my 3 year old was selected for a 2nd security check the last time we travelled. What a wonderful system we have!

 

[kitbits]

and now we find out that his father tried to warn US officials...hooray! I must say that I'm really looking forward to flying back to the US in the autumn...and also looking forward to my monthly domestic flights here in the UK...yeah...way to work it you savvy 'officials'!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8431470.stm

 

[Trino]

When do these take effect?

Immediately.

Scenario:
Mr. X, Mr. Y, Mr. Z (or more) all smuggle a part of a bomb past security, then meet up inside and give the parts to Mr. X. What's stopping this?

I live near the Mall of America but won't go there. Why would a terrorist settle for trying to get past airport security when on any given holiday weekend, it would be easy to take out as many people at the MofA? (You might recall that Moussoui from 911 was in the Twin Cities and also recall the stories of the disappearing young Minneapolis men who went to Somalia, including one who blew himself up.)

In summary, I believe the new regulations are a knee jerk reaction by Homeland Security and are not well thought out. Their focus is on passengers, rather than their employees.

 

[Trino]

All the security for domestic flights, but what about Nigeria where the latest perp's flight originated? Little was different!!!

http://www.sphere.com/nation/articl...as-new-rules-for-passengers-in-seats/19294497

"Officials in the Mideast and in India said they were maintaining their current procedures, which they said were already high.

Little was different at the airport in Lagos, Nigeria, where the man's trip originated. Soldiers impassively stared at those passing into the departure terminal Saturday. Others sat and talked among themselves, loaded rifles tossed over their shoulders.

Passengers moved quickly through security, waiting only for immigration officers to examine passports and visas. A battered X-ray machine quickly passed over suitcases and shoes. Federal airport authority spokesman spokesman Akin Olukunle said the airport had no bomb-sniffing dogs but were considering getting some."

 

[poco]

Father of Terrorist Suspect Warned US Embassy




http://www.sphere.com/nation/articl...l-mutallab-is-alleged-plane-attacker/19294494

 

[Trino]

The Nigerian perp had powder sewn in his underwear. Okay, Everyone. Off with your underwear when you fly.

 

[Sophie]

One thing that alarms me about this is that security experts have been predicting for months that the next wave of terrorism attempts would involve materials secreted about the body that were not detectable by usual airport security measures. In fact, for this reason, Manchester Airport in the UK and various US airports have piloted a scheme of x-raying all passengers so you could see literally everything about them. The experiment has been savaged by civil rights organisations but is thought by security experts to be incredibly useful:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8303983.stm


My gut feeling is this latest evolution of terrorism will be incredibly difficult to control. I pray I'm wrong.

 

[smart blonde]

One thing that alarms me about this is that security experts have been predicting for months that the next wave of terrorism attempts would involve materials secreted about the body that were not detectable by usual airport security measures. In fact, for this reason, Manchester Airport in the UK and various US airports have piloted a scheme of x-raying all passengers so you could see literally everything about them. The experiment has been savaged by civil rights organisations but is thought by security experts to be incredibly useful:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8303983.stm


My gut feeling is this latest evolution of terrorism will be incredibly difficult to control. I pray I'm wrong.

(above bolding by smart blonde)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think I know what you are talking about, Sophie...

In February, 2007, Phoenix, Az.'s Sky Harbor International Airport became the first airport in the United States to use this new 'Backscatter' X-ray Machine.

It's a 'Full Body X-Ray Machine', and very controversial due to the fact that, as you say, it shows everything.

I have no idea if it is still being used.

 

[smart blonde]

Here is the Transportation Security's official website.... (I think it's interesting)

www.tsa.gov

 

[Trino]

One thing that alarms me about this is that security experts have been predicting for months that the next wave of terrorism attempts would involve materials secreted about the body that were not detectable by usual airport security measures. In fact, for this reason, Manchester Airport in the UK and various US airports have piloted a scheme of x-raying all passengers so you could see literally everything about them. The experiment has been savaged by civil rights organisations but is thought by security experts to be incredibly useful:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8303983.stm

My gut feeling is this latest evolution of terrorism will be incredibly difficult to control. I pray I'm wrong.

I would do the x-ray if I absolutely had to do so to travel. I'm an adult and can take it. However, one thing that really bothers me is x-raying children. There are perps in all walks of life, and HS is not exempt.

 

[keeponsearching]

A terrors plan is to kill the most people as possible. So wait till they are close to landing. During flight the seatbelt light can come on during storms, lasting an hour, or even till landing. People can hold there bladders. Pee before the hour. And just before people say some can't believe me, I have the smallest bladder in the world and peed three times from ny to fl on a plane. People will adjust, just takes time.... Like most things.

 

[hockeymom]

I think the new regs were put in place because it makes it look like they were doing something,since they screwed up by letting this guy on the plane to begin with. The powers that be think we are stupid,and will be satisfied by thinking this will make us safer. If someone wants to blow up a plane,they will do it whenever they can. The goal is to not let them fly to begin with.

 

[Sophie]

I hadn't thought about children. What an excellent point Trino. I must admit that I'd be very uncomfortable about my children being scanned. As you say, the job would be like catnip to a paedophile and let's face it, the background checks that are carried out on people with contact with children are far from reliable.

TY for the information about Phoenix, SmartBlonde (excellent hat BTW).

To be honest, I foresee a time coming when air travel will involve visas and background checks for all, and that anything remotely dubious in one's past makes one either ineligible to travel or at least subject to extra scrutiny. It's appalling for those of us who just want to do our work or see the wonders of other countries and how people live that we should be controlled in this way but it's hard to see any alternative.

I'm just reading that the Nigerian guy had recently been refused a visa to the UK because he had lied about his reasons for visiting (ie. the college he claimed to intend attending didn't exist). In future, I think we will just have to assume that people have sinister reasons for this sort of lie and prevent them from travelling. Of course, it doesn't help that this guy had such resources available to him and could surely corrupt some less than scrupulous people in public office.

 

[passionflower]

Yesterday's (Christmas season) incident, with no air marshalls on the plane.
That nut got through security and DUCKED ALL LISTS on terrorists.
Makes me think anything can happen!
Homeland security is getting lax again. JMOO
Making it rougher for the good people as usual.

 

[Sophie]

Of course, what doesn't help is that the airlines are mostly still suffering from the recession and will no doubt implement the changes with the greatest reluctance and at the least cost possible.

 

[Trino]

Yesterday's (Christmas season) incident, with no air marshalls on the plane.
That nut got through security and DUCKED ALL LISTS on terrorists.
Makes me think anything can happen!
Homeland security is getting lax again. JMOO
Making it rougher for the good people as usual.

Obama has ordered a review of security screening. Seems like he understands where the problem lies.

The perp was recently denied entry into the UK. Also, he had no luggage. These two things, in addition to his father's statement of 6 mo ago, should have flagged him as a no entry into the US.

 

[aprilshowers]

May I ask if dogs are used at airports for security checks? Dogs are so great in detecting many things/smells/etc. that humans or machines can not.

Maybe more dogs should be employed at airports?

 

[Trino]

May I ask if dogs are used at airports for security checks? Dogs are so great in detecting many things/smells/etc. that humans or machines can not.

Maybe more dogs should be employed at airports?

I've never seen dogs at MSP. However, I'm guessing all security is going to be beefed up - temporarily.

It doesn't appear that Detroit, per se, was targeted. I wonder how close the plane was to Detroit and what area the plane was over when the man tried to detonate the explosives.