U.S. Checking Foreign Airlines for Terror Risks
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U.S. Checking Foreign Airlines for Terror Risks
From today's Washington Post:
U.S. Checking Foreign Airlines for Terror Risks
By Sara Kehaulani Goo and Susan Schmidt
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, December 24, 2003; Page A04
New U.S. intelligence is prompting stepped-up scrutiny into whether foreign airports and airlines have been penetrated by individuals sympathetic to terrorist groups, U.S. law enforcement officials said.
U.S. security officials have been thoroughly checking the identities of foreign flight crews before their departures from U.S. airports and upon their arrival in the United States. U.S. officials have questioned a small number of crew members in recent weeks after their names appeared to be similar to those on the FBI's "watch lists" of suspected terrorists, Bush administration sources said yesterday.
The officials said there have been no arrests and declined to identify the air carriers involved.
"At this time, our customs and border-protection inspectors are increasing scrutiny of all international passengers coming into the United States," said Department of Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.
The most recent U.S. intelligence reports that prompted the government to elevate the nation's alert level on Sunday to "code orange" or "high," indicate that terrorists may target U.S.-bound flights from overseas, although other methods of attack, such as use of a "dirty" bomb that spreads radioactive materials, are also possible. Law enforcement officials said they are concerned about security throughout the country but in particular in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.In an unusual event, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Los Angeles city officials said last night that said they will forbid passengers from being picked up or dropped off by private vehicles at the Los Angeles International Airport terminal during the holidays. Passengers will have to be picked up and dropped off at nearby parking garages. It is the first time in nearly two years that a major U.S. airport has restricted access in that fashion.
"Terrorist operatives remain interested in bombings, suicide hijackings and even the possible use of man-portable air defense systems," or shoulder-fired missile, said a Department of Homeland Security memo to U.S. airports issued Sunday that was obtained by The Washington Post. The department continues "to receive uncorroborated reports that extremists may attempt to hijack or bomb commercial aircraft both in the United States and abroad."
Passengers coming into at least one major U.S. international airport on Air France and flights from Mexico will be subject to more security procedures beginning today, according to an aviation industry official and two other sources. Some foreign airlines are planning to have their countries' armed air marshals on board U.S.-bound flights, sources said.
Miguel Monterrubio, a Mexican Embassy spokesman, said authorities from his country are cooperating with U.S. officials to "avoid any security risk." He declined to discuss specific security procedures.
A French official said there have been "some very intense exchanges" between U.S. and French officials on efforts "to share intelligence and to reflect on how we could prevent any possible terrorist attacks."
Air France has 25 scheduled daily flights to the United States. A spokesman declined to comment on the airline's security procedures.
The Department of Homeland Security said that it issued the same directions to all international carriers to step up security during the heightened alert and that no specific airline is being targeted.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, U.S. officials have expressed frustration that security at some foreign airports is nowhere near as tight as it is at U.S. airports. The U.S. complaints have intensified in recent months, officials and security experts said.
"You can understand the concerns of U.S. intelligence about this, because security at some foreign airports is appallingly low," said Chris Yates, an aviation-security analyst at the Jane's Aviation consulting service.
Yates said that among the airports with spotty security are many regional ones in Russia, whose flights feed into Moscow's airport, and mid-size airports around the Middle East whose flights connect to cities such as Cairo. In many Muslim countries, he said, women who set off alarms going through security are not searched because of cultural sensitivities.
The United States earlier this year revoked the right of two Saudi pilots to fly into the United States, as part of a secretive new program run by the TSA that can bar pilots if the agency decides they "pose a security threat." The TSA said it has not taken similar action since then.
Foreign pilots must undergo a Department of Homeland Security background check, which includes a review of any criminal history. After the terrorist attacks in 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration created a database of foreign flight crews from 17 foreign airlines.
Foreign crews are matched to the database and the FBI watch lists. The Department of Homeland Security said it has flagged foreign pilots for questions relating to the background checks, crew database and watch lists.
"It happens on occasion that those pilots are told they can't fly into the U.S.," an administration official said.
At U.S. airports, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection inspectors have stepped up scrutiny of foreign flight crews after they arrive, according to Frank A. Clark, executive director of LAX Tech Corp., an organization that represents 46 international carriers with service to Los Angeles International, one of the largest international airports in the world.
It is not uncommon, Clark said, for some members of foreign flight crews to be questioned and held for 45 minutes to an hour, as U.S. officials verify their identities. Often crew members have the same or similar last names as people on the watch lists, Clark said.
"We see, on occasions, a crew member . . . held and questioned extensively," Clark said. Usually it's because the crew member has the "Asian version of Smith or the Arabic version of Smith" as a last name, he said.
Clark said the tightening of security started in September, after the Department of Homeland Security canceled a program that allowed some passengers to move through U.S. airports without visas. That action, which was taken out of concern that terrorists could exploit the program and slip into the country, prompted changes for foreign carriers, he said.
_________________________________________
Another article on the same subject:
HOMELAND SECURITY
Foreign Aviation Security Lags Behind U.S., Experts Say
By CHUCK McCUTCHEON
WASHINGTON _ The Bush administration needs to convince other countries to tighten their aviation security to prevent foreign airplanes crossing the United States from being used as weapons, homeland security experts said Monday.
Experts also said the United States should refocus attention on air cargo safety in light of the raised threat warning by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.
Officials are particularly worried that al-Qaida will use airplanes as they did in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Ridge said. "They're always looking ... to return to methods that they've used successfully before."
With security at U.S. airports tighter than it was before Sept. 11, several experts said foreign airlines and airports must follow suit.
"I have no fear of flying on any American air carriers, but I am concerned about certain foreign carriers," said Harvey Kushner, a criminal justice professor at Long Island University and author of several books on terrorism...
http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/...eon122303.html
___________________________________________
More reports of a possible al-Qaida U.S. attack using foreign airlines from MSNBC:
NBC, MSNBC and news services
Updated: 8:57 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2003
New intelligence information indicates that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his top deputy personally approved the suspected terrorist attack plan that led the government to raise the nation's terror threat assessment this week, U.S. officials told NBC News on Tuesday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said U.S. intelligence agencies had gathered detailed information about the plan, in which they said al-Qaida operatives would hijack foreign airliners and fly them into targets in the United States. In some instances, the intelligence is so detailed as to include specific flight numbers, they said.
The Defense Department said Tuesday that it was broadening air patrols throughout the country. Security forces have put several U.S. airports under intense scrutiny, the U.S. officials told NBC's Jim Miklaszewski, specifically naming Newark International Airport in New Jersey...
...The new intelligence adds details to information about the al-Qaida plot first reported Monday by NBC News, which quoted U.S. officials as saying the terrorist threat assessment was raised over the weekend because of indications that al-Qaida operatives may now be fully trained and licensed pilots for some foreign airlines, ideally positioning them to carry out suicide attacks...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3775771/
U.S. Checking Foreign Airlines for Terror Risks
By Sara Kehaulani Goo and Susan Schmidt
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, December 24, 2003; Page A04
New U.S. intelligence is prompting stepped-up scrutiny into whether foreign airports and airlines have been penetrated by individuals sympathetic to terrorist groups, U.S. law enforcement officials said.
U.S. security officials have been thoroughly checking the identities of foreign flight crews before their departures from U.S. airports and upon their arrival in the United States. U.S. officials have questioned a small number of crew members in recent weeks after their names appeared to be similar to those on the FBI's "watch lists" of suspected terrorists, Bush administration sources said yesterday.
The officials said there have been no arrests and declined to identify the air carriers involved.
"At this time, our customs and border-protection inspectors are increasing scrutiny of all international passengers coming into the United States," said Department of Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse.
The most recent U.S. intelligence reports that prompted the government to elevate the nation's alert level on Sunday to "code orange" or "high," indicate that terrorists may target U.S.-bound flights from overseas, although other methods of attack, such as use of a "dirty" bomb that spreads radioactive materials, are also possible. Law enforcement officials said they are concerned about security throughout the country but in particular in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.In an unusual event, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Los Angeles city officials said last night that said they will forbid passengers from being picked up or dropped off by private vehicles at the Los Angeles International Airport terminal during the holidays. Passengers will have to be picked up and dropped off at nearby parking garages. It is the first time in nearly two years that a major U.S. airport has restricted access in that fashion.
"Terrorist operatives remain interested in bombings, suicide hijackings and even the possible use of man-portable air defense systems," or shoulder-fired missile, said a Department of Homeland Security memo to U.S. airports issued Sunday that was obtained by The Washington Post. The department continues "to receive uncorroborated reports that extremists may attempt to hijack or bomb commercial aircraft both in the United States and abroad."
Passengers coming into at least one major U.S. international airport on Air France and flights from Mexico will be subject to more security procedures beginning today, according to an aviation industry official and two other sources. Some foreign airlines are planning to have their countries' armed air marshals on board U.S.-bound flights, sources said.
Miguel Monterrubio, a Mexican Embassy spokesman, said authorities from his country are cooperating with U.S. officials to "avoid any security risk." He declined to discuss specific security procedures.
A French official said there have been "some very intense exchanges" between U.S. and French officials on efforts "to share intelligence and to reflect on how we could prevent any possible terrorist attacks."
Air France has 25 scheduled daily flights to the United States. A spokesman declined to comment on the airline's security procedures.
The Department of Homeland Security said that it issued the same directions to all international carriers to step up security during the heightened alert and that no specific airline is being targeted.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, U.S. officials have expressed frustration that security at some foreign airports is nowhere near as tight as it is at U.S. airports. The U.S. complaints have intensified in recent months, officials and security experts said.
"You can understand the concerns of U.S. intelligence about this, because security at some foreign airports is appallingly low," said Chris Yates, an aviation-security analyst at the Jane's Aviation consulting service.
Yates said that among the airports with spotty security are many regional ones in Russia, whose flights feed into Moscow's airport, and mid-size airports around the Middle East whose flights connect to cities such as Cairo. In many Muslim countries, he said, women who set off alarms going through security are not searched because of cultural sensitivities.
The United States earlier this year revoked the right of two Saudi pilots to fly into the United States, as part of a secretive new program run by the TSA that can bar pilots if the agency decides they "pose a security threat." The TSA said it has not taken similar action since then.
Foreign pilots must undergo a Department of Homeland Security background check, which includes a review of any criminal history. After the terrorist attacks in 2001, the Federal Aviation Administration created a database of foreign flight crews from 17 foreign airlines.
Foreign crews are matched to the database and the FBI watch lists. The Department of Homeland Security said it has flagged foreign pilots for questions relating to the background checks, crew database and watch lists.
"It happens on occasion that those pilots are told they can't fly into the U.S.," an administration official said.
At U.S. airports, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection inspectors have stepped up scrutiny of foreign flight crews after they arrive, according to Frank A. Clark, executive director of LAX Tech Corp., an organization that represents 46 international carriers with service to Los Angeles International, one of the largest international airports in the world.
It is not uncommon, Clark said, for some members of foreign flight crews to be questioned and held for 45 minutes to an hour, as U.S. officials verify their identities. Often crew members have the same or similar last names as people on the watch lists, Clark said.
"We see, on occasions, a crew member . . . held and questioned extensively," Clark said. Usually it's because the crew member has the "Asian version of Smith or the Arabic version of Smith" as a last name, he said.
Clark said the tightening of security started in September, after the Department of Homeland Security canceled a program that allowed some passengers to move through U.S. airports without visas. That action, which was taken out of concern that terrorists could exploit the program and slip into the country, prompted changes for foreign carriers, he said.
_________________________________________
Another article on the same subject:
HOMELAND SECURITY
Foreign Aviation Security Lags Behind U.S., Experts Say
By CHUCK McCUTCHEON
WASHINGTON _ The Bush administration needs to convince other countries to tighten their aviation security to prevent foreign airplanes crossing the United States from being used as weapons, homeland security experts said Monday.
Experts also said the United States should refocus attention on air cargo safety in light of the raised threat warning by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.
Officials are particularly worried that al-Qaida will use airplanes as they did in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Ridge said. "They're always looking ... to return to methods that they've used successfully before."
With security at U.S. airports tighter than it was before Sept. 11, several experts said foreign airlines and airports must follow suit.
"I have no fear of flying on any American air carriers, but I am concerned about certain foreign carriers," said Harvey Kushner, a criminal justice professor at Long Island University and author of several books on terrorism...
http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/...eon122303.html
___________________________________________
More reports of a possible al-Qaida U.S. attack using foreign airlines from MSNBC:
NBC, MSNBC and news services
Updated: 8:57 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2003
New intelligence information indicates that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his top deputy personally approved the suspected terrorist attack plan that led the government to raise the nation's terror threat assessment this week, U.S. officials told NBC News on Tuesday.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said U.S. intelligence agencies had gathered detailed information about the plan, in which they said al-Qaida operatives would hijack foreign airliners and fly them into targets in the United States. In some instances, the intelligence is so detailed as to include specific flight numbers, they said.
The Defense Department said Tuesday that it was broadening air patrols throughout the country. Security forces have put several U.S. airports under intense scrutiny, the U.S. officials told NBC's Jim Miklaszewski, specifically naming Newark International Airport in New Jersey...
...The new intelligence adds details to information about the al-Qaida plot first reported Monday by NBC News, which quoted U.S. officials as saying the terrorist threat assessment was raised over the weekend because of indications that al-Qaida operatives may now be fully trained and licensed pilots for some foreign airlines, ideally positioning them to carry out suicide attacks...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3775771/
Last edited by Airbubba; 24th Dec 2003 at 11:57.
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In many Muslim countries, he said, women who set off alarms going through security are not searched because of cultural sensitivities.
t alert! In Saudi Arabia (arguably the country where most of our problems with terrorism have sprung from!) women are searched by female security personnel in a separate room. Merry (and safe) X-Mas to all.
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1. V glad that I havent been rostered to the USA for 8+months. After a 14hr flight, Im not sure I could deal with a TSA agent treating me like a criminal just because Im a pilot.
** On a trip to ANC I "clever clogs" TSA official explained to me that pilots needed more scrutiny than pax because on 9/11 the pilots flew the planes into the WTC! (Who teaches these people?)
2. If I were a pax, travelling to Europe (for example) I would actively avoid flights that connect through the USA.
** And before someone slates me; I dont disagree with the security measures the yanks are taking - but for 99.99% of people it is a em******ance factor that is only going to get worse (esp when, despite all these security efforts, something does happen again)
Fingers crossed we all have a happy and safe Holiday Season
** On a trip to ANC I "clever clogs" TSA official explained to me that pilots needed more scrutiny than pax because on 9/11 the pilots flew the planes into the WTC! (Who teaches these people?)
2. If I were a pax, travelling to Europe (for example) I would actively avoid flights that connect through the USA.
** And before someone slates me; I dont disagree with the security measures the yanks are taking - but for 99.99% of people it is a em******ance factor that is only going to get worse (esp when, despite all these security efforts, something does happen again)
Fingers crossed we all have a happy and safe Holiday Season
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In order to reduce the stress of the US security checks (don't get me wrong, I think security is a good thing, and post 11/9, we ignore threat indicators at our peril) I have a silent mantra I recite to myself when approaching the "shoes off, belts off" people : "I must not call this well intentioned person a c*cksucking Naz* mother *ucker" (repeat as necessary).
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a bit harsh scribble
these people are only trying to do there job,to keep pax and crew safe against a few extremists who have no quams killing themselves and taking everyone else in the plane for the ride.
security people do a thankless task keep up the good work and we all hope for a safe 2004.
these people are only trying to do there job,to keep pax and crew safe against a few extremists who have no quams killing themselves and taking everyone else in the plane for the ride.
security people do a thankless task keep up the good work and we all hope for a safe 2004.
D'you know what? I actually think the levelof politeness and professionalism at security in the States has gone up since TSA took it over. Certainly JFK had some right m-f'ers before but now they're know the f-factor is all part of just doing their job and they generally treat crews OK.
But right now it ain't TSA screwing folks around. One of our JFKs last night was delayed 2 hours by a SWAT team standing around on our aircraft helping themselves to Cokes as part of an extra pre-security patrol. Plus every crewmember got a full grilling in a closed room. These guys ARE the Nazis refered to earlier.
Hey ho off to EWR in 2 hours to spend 48 hrs hanging by me thumbs for wearing a Santa hat.
Merry Crimbo all.
But right now it ain't TSA screwing folks around. One of our JFKs last night was delayed 2 hours by a SWAT team standing around on our aircraft helping themselves to Cokes as part of an extra pre-security patrol. Plus every crewmember got a full grilling in a closed room. These guys ARE the Nazis refered to earlier.
Hey ho off to EWR in 2 hours to spend 48 hrs hanging by me thumbs for wearing a Santa hat.
Merry Crimbo all.
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Felix lighter said
Ummm dude, are you really a pilot? You wouldn't see the TSA untill you reported for your flight back OUT of the country.
The TSA has absolutely ZERO to do with arriving passengers. That is handled as it always was by fedral agents of the customs and immigration services (and agriculture if you are carrying organic things). The only difference between now and before 9/11 is they might actually open and look at your passport now rather than just verify that you have the outside of a passport in your hand...
Everyone likes to slag off the TSA now, but the security is miles more proffessional than it was before. The fact that the machines are actually set to detect metal now might be annoying, but what else are they there for? By and large the security people are polite and courteous.
Cheers
Wino
After a 14hr flight, Im not sure I could deal with a TSA agent treating me like a criminal just because Im a pilot.
The TSA has absolutely ZERO to do with arriving passengers. That is handled as it always was by fedral agents of the customs and immigration services (and agriculture if you are carrying organic things). The only difference between now and before 9/11 is they might actually open and look at your passport now rather than just verify that you have the outside of a passport in your hand...
Everyone likes to slag off the TSA now, but the security is miles more proffessional than it was before. The fact that the machines are actually set to detect metal now might be annoying, but what else are they there for? By and large the security people are polite and courteous.
Cheers
Wino
Despite the improvement by the TSA I believe that security in the USA is still less than in UK.
Nowhere is 100%, and it never will be no matter who carries guns or issues ID's, but it is getting very difficult to get clearance for a pass to go airside in UK.
The problem with 'similar' names to people on the no fly list is that if you are unlucky enough to have one of these names, there is no mechanism to have your name cleared after investigation, it just sits there on the list for all time causing you hassle every time you travel. Not a very sophisticated sytem at all.
I sincerely hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas.
Nowhere is 100%, and it never will be no matter who carries guns or issues ID's, but it is getting very difficult to get clearance for a pass to go airside in UK.
The problem with 'similar' names to people on the no fly list is that if you are unlucky enough to have one of these names, there is no mechanism to have your name cleared after investigation, it just sits there on the list for all time causing you hassle every time you travel. Not a very sophisticated sytem at all.
I sincerely hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas.
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Wino said
"Ummm dude, are you really a pilot? You wouldn't see the TSA untill you reported for your flight back OUT of the country.
The TSA has absolutely ZERO to do with arriving passengers."
Try arriving in MEM on NW57(?) at gate B34 and then start taking your shoes/belt buckles off by order of a TSA agent AFTER you've done the Customs/Immigration bit. Doesn't matter if your trip terminates in MEM or you are continuing onwards, you get it all the same.
"Ummm dude, are you really a pilot? You wouldn't see the TSA untill you reported for your flight back OUT of the country.
The TSA has absolutely ZERO to do with arriving passengers."
Try arriving in MEM on NW57(?) at gate B34 and then start taking your shoes/belt buckles off by order of a TSA agent AFTER you've done the Customs/Immigration bit. Doesn't matter if your trip terminates in MEM or you are continuing onwards, you get it all the same.
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From www.cnn.com :
French government cancels three Air France flights from Paris to L.A. due to terror fears, French Interior Ministry says. Details soon.
___________________________________
Here's more:
3 Air France Flights Cancelled
U.S. Embassy Cited Security Concerns Over L.A.-bound Flights
Reuters
Wednesday, December 24, 2003; 2:07 PM
PARIS (Reuters) - France said Wednesday that national carrier Air France had canceled three U.S.-bound flights from Paris due to security concerns.
The French interior ministry said the flights were canceled at the request of the U.S. Embassy in Paris. The United States is on a heightened state of alert ahead of Christmas and the Washington Post reported that foreign airlines were under particular scrutiny.
An Air France spokeswoman confirmed that a flight due to leave Paris at 7:35 a.m. EST for Los Angeles had been grounded "for security reasons."
The French prime minister's office said the cancellations had been prompted by information obtained from anti-terrorism operations. An interior ministry spokesman said that two other flights to the United States had also been canceled.
It was not clear whether these flights were bound for Los Angeles or elsewhere.
The U.S. government raised its terror alert to the second highest level Sunday and warned Americans there was a high risk of attacks around the holidays in the United States that could be bigger than those of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that new U.S. intelligence had prompted greater scrutiny into whether foreign airports and airlines pose a security threat.
U.S. security officials were thoroughly checking the identities of foreign flight crews and had questioned a few people with names that appeared to be similar to those on the FBI's "watch lists" of suspects, the report said, citing administration sources.
Officials declined to identify the air carriers involved, the newspaper reported.
Passengers coming into at least one major U.S. international airport on Air France and flights from Mexico will be subject to more security procedures beginning Wednesday, the report said, citing industry sources.
France has not raised its security alert for the Christmas holiday period.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Dec24.html
French government cancels three Air France flights from Paris to L.A. due to terror fears, French Interior Ministry says. Details soon.
___________________________________
Here's more:
3 Air France Flights Cancelled
U.S. Embassy Cited Security Concerns Over L.A.-bound Flights
Reuters
Wednesday, December 24, 2003; 2:07 PM
PARIS (Reuters) - France said Wednesday that national carrier Air France had canceled three U.S.-bound flights from Paris due to security concerns.
The French interior ministry said the flights were canceled at the request of the U.S. Embassy in Paris. The United States is on a heightened state of alert ahead of Christmas and the Washington Post reported that foreign airlines were under particular scrutiny.
An Air France spokeswoman confirmed that a flight due to leave Paris at 7:35 a.m. EST for Los Angeles had been grounded "for security reasons."
The French prime minister's office said the cancellations had been prompted by information obtained from anti-terrorism operations. An interior ministry spokesman said that two other flights to the United States had also been canceled.
It was not clear whether these flights were bound for Los Angeles or elsewhere.
The U.S. government raised its terror alert to the second highest level Sunday and warned Americans there was a high risk of attacks around the holidays in the United States that could be bigger than those of Sept. 11, 2001.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that new U.S. intelligence had prompted greater scrutiny into whether foreign airports and airlines pose a security threat.
U.S. security officials were thoroughly checking the identities of foreign flight crews and had questioned a few people with names that appeared to be similar to those on the FBI's "watch lists" of suspects, the report said, citing administration sources.
Officials declined to identify the air carriers involved, the newspaper reported.
Passengers coming into at least one major U.S. international airport on Air France and flights from Mexico will be subject to more security procedures beginning Wednesday, the report said, citing industry sources.
France has not raised its security alert for the Christmas holiday period.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Dec24.html
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Yeah flightmech, thats a little different. That is onward after an arrival.
But a pilot operating a 14 hour sector is unlikely to be in that boat. They are headed for the hotel...
Airbubba, cancelling the flights reminds me of a PANAM hijacking. PLO terrorists had been turned away from an ELAL flight by security. so 2 of em simply borded the next panam flight and hijacked it instead.... Would rather FILL the plane with security and catch the ****ers...
Cheers,
Wino
But a pilot operating a 14 hour sector is unlikely to be in that boat. They are headed for the hotel...
Airbubba, cancelling the flights reminds me of a PANAM hijacking. PLO terrorists had been turned away from an ELAL flight by security. so 2 of em simply borded the next panam flight and hijacked it instead.... Would rather FILL the plane with security and catch the ****ers...
Cheers,
Wino
Wino, disembarking people certainly do have to contend with the security paranoia. Orlando Intl (MCO) is a prime example.
You're checked through security arriving & departing.
You're checked through security arriving & departing.
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Damn right they should be checking
With the U.S alert level up to 4 out of 5 or orange, I think the U.S like any other country needs to take whatever measures are necessary to prevent another September 11th.
I think what most people miss on these threads is the fact the terrorists aren't trying to kill people en-mass (although that is sometimes one of the side effects) but to ruin the Western Economies. They almost succeeded the last time.
So the next time you slag off security, remember what they are there for !! It's to protect the way you live and your life !! Personally I don't care if the U.K security is better than the U.S security as long as we catch the scum trying to iniltrate our borders.
Newarksmells
I think what most people miss on these threads is the fact the terrorists aren't trying to kill people en-mass (although that is sometimes one of the side effects) but to ruin the Western Economies. They almost succeeded the last time.
So the next time you slag off security, remember what they are there for !! It's to protect the way you live and your life !! Personally I don't care if the U.K security is better than the U.S security as long as we catch the scum trying to iniltrate our borders.
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