VIRGIN Blue pilot tests positive for traces of explosives
Every "half-reasonable" active aviatory jock that reads this site knows the John dory with security and manages it the way we've learnt to - There's just a few too many dweebs now making comments on the site that probably speak without qualification - anyway, that's probably a moderator's job (or someone with such a cynicle mind as mine) to deciphre... cheers chaps and gals,
BR
BR
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NZ
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's the ignorance of some security staff that pisses me off. I took a picture of the crash axe on my cell phone one day - the security staff in transit at BNE didn't know what to make of it when I told them this resided within arms length of my seat. After a while I gave up, and pretended to listen to another lecture on why my ring-binder was so deadly.
Yes, flight crew do have a general rep for being precious about certain things, but on this I don't think we are. I think security staff need to be educated on how easy it is for a pilot to take single handed control of an aircraft, and do whatever the heck they feel like doing with it. It's a simple matter of waiting for someone to go for a leak.
Probibly not worth worrying about, but....
Yes, flight crew do have a general rep for being precious about certain things, but on this I don't think we are. I think security staff need to be educated on how easy it is for a pilot to take single handed control of an aircraft, and do whatever the heck they feel like doing with it. It's a simple matter of waiting for someone to go for a leak.
Probibly not worth worrying about, but....
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: The Land Downunder
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Everytime I layover in the states I go 'shooting' at a local range and it is all above board. I was stopped at crew search the other day as the 'sniff' machine picked up traces of gunpowder on my crew bag, I told the bemused security guard that this was because I regualary go to a shooting range, after a bit of head scratching he just let me on through. Similar thing happened once when I was on an initial security course for an airline based in Northern Ireland, as part of the course a few types of simulated explosive were passed around so that we could see what they smelt/felt/looked like. One of our guys got stopped later that day when a sniffer dog at Belfast City Airport smelt the familiar 'almond' smell of explosives, after a few explanations he was allowed to continue on home. What can security do if you actually have a legitimate reason for triggering these sorts of tests, I would happily go home everytime I get a 'positive' on a test like this, the reality however is that in most cases you are allowed to carry on with your days work no matter how much a reporter may not like that.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is not illegal to fail this test. Some of you seem to think you have to turn around and go home if you set this thing off, do you really work at airports each day? I think not!
It is no different to setting off the metal detector, it just indicates there might be a problem, and further investigation is required.
The idea is to simply search the person and baggage, including checked luggage, and if all OK on your way. (Although it is a pain in the ass with checked luggage though because that needs to be checked as well).
It is no different to setting off the metal detector, it just indicates there might be a problem, and further investigation is required.
The idea is to simply search the person and baggage, including checked luggage, and if all OK on your way. (Although it is a pain in the ass with checked luggage though because that needs to be checked as well).
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: AUCKLAND
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On Guard...got to agree with you on BNE being the worst,I go through that transit screening point twice a month either on route to PNG or back home to Auckland,about 18months ago while heading to PNG my "Computer bag" tested positive for explosives,I could not believe what occured for the next 45mins....surrounded by 4 armed policeman,ask some very stupid questions,then was told it was up to the Airline if they wished to carry me (it was PX they carry anybody so not a problem) I have never had any contact with explosives,maybe except on "Guy Falks night,and it was the wrong time of the year....had to be equipment failure,my computer bag is the same one I have always used and still do....
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thought from the far side:
Ultimately, security just makes the punters feel safe. In the words of General de Gaulle, the sword is always mightier than the shield. If you really seek a peaceful community and value for each security dollar, identify your enemies and elliminate them quietly whilst they sleep.
Ultimately, security just makes the punters feel safe. In the words of General de Gaulle, the sword is always mightier than the shield. If you really seek a peaceful community and value for each security dollar, identify your enemies and elliminate them quietly whilst they sleep.
Cloud Cutter
Quote "It's the ignorance of some security staff that pisses me off. I took a picture of the crash axe on my cell phone one day - the security staff in transit at BNE didn't know what to make of it when I told them this resided within arms length of my seat. After a while I gave up, and pretended to listen to another lecture on why my ring-binder was so deadly." Unquote
How on earth do you think you will encourage anything but contempt from the security personnel and the general public with this sort of in your face attitude?
I'm sorry but sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Even I cringe at this behaviour.
So you think that your cell phone picture was going to all of a sudden snap the front line personnel into thinking " this is all a bit silly - "I'm going to let all pilots through without any scrutiny" and "stuff the training and protocols that I have been (legally) employed to uphold".
Ok I am the first to grit my teeth and growl at the stupidity of the security measures in place in Australia but I WILL NOT take it out on the poor sods that have to put up with this childish behavior.
You do neither me nor my profession a favor.
Your attitude and behaviour is of more concern to me than the the lunatics in charge of my security (not the poor sods on the wrong end of your your childishness)
Go to your Union, your local member, your company security rep, your local radio station, your AA buddy ........but please stop the inane attacks on the security people that treat ME with disgust as a result of having met YOU!
Quote "It's the ignorance of some security staff that pisses me off. I took a picture of the crash axe on my cell phone one day - the security staff in transit at BNE didn't know what to make of it when I told them this resided within arms length of my seat. After a while I gave up, and pretended to listen to another lecture on why my ring-binder was so deadly." Unquote
How on earth do you think you will encourage anything but contempt from the security personnel and the general public with this sort of in your face attitude?
I'm sorry but sometimes we are our own worst enemy. Even I cringe at this behaviour.
So you think that your cell phone picture was going to all of a sudden snap the front line personnel into thinking " this is all a bit silly - "I'm going to let all pilots through without any scrutiny" and "stuff the training and protocols that I have been (legally) employed to uphold".
Ok I am the first to grit my teeth and growl at the stupidity of the security measures in place in Australia but I WILL NOT take it out on the poor sods that have to put up with this childish behavior.
You do neither me nor my profession a favor.
Your attitude and behaviour is of more concern to me than the the lunatics in charge of my security (not the poor sods on the wrong end of your your childishness)
Go to your Union, your local member, your company security rep, your local radio station, your AA buddy ........but please stop the inane attacks on the security people that treat ME with disgust as a result of having met YOU!
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ad-astra, I think he was merely defending his position to carry his ring binder through security, you can't fly the plane without your Jepps 
.. As a matter of fact I think most of the security personell don't know what the crash axe looks like and I think a picture is worth a thousand words. He didn't sound like he was childish about it, merely being informative... I do agree though that some guys go overboard, but then again so do some of the security guys 
.. As a matter of fact I think most of the security personell don't know what the crash axe looks like and I think a picture is worth a thousand words. He didn't sound like he was childish about it, merely being informative... I do agree though that some guys go overboard, but then again so do some of the security guys
I guess my point is -
how one lecture - from one pilot - to one security person (shutters down) is going to solve the ongoing debacle of security in Australia?
Pilot walks away frustrated thinking .........................tosser
Security Personnel stands there frustrated thinking ......tosser
There are much better ways to change the system. Taking out our frustrations against the security personnel does not help our cause.
how one lecture - from one pilot - to one security person (shutters down) is going to solve the ongoing debacle of security in Australia?
Pilot walks away frustrated thinking .........................tosser
Security Personnel stands there frustrated thinking ......tosser
There are much better ways to change the system. Taking out our frustrations against the security personnel does not help our cause.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Living next door to Alan
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another funny one is the people who get off the turbo-prop flights from airports wihout security screaning then cause of renovations get lead straight into the departure lounge for domestic jet departures, it could be BYO Uzi and no one would know yet other people arn't allowed to get in there with nail files!
All pax on turboprop flights inbound from non-security screened ports are delivered by bus to an appropriate screening point for entry into sterile areas.
