Take your shoes off - Aviation security
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With the proliferation of the theft of Airline Crew's Outfits over the past couple of months in the New York region, I feel it is an absolute must that EVERYBODY be screened at security. No if's ands or buts.
It seems that the TSA feels the same way, but there are a lot of "buts".......
Nearly every worker at almost every airport in the US is NOT subject to any screening at all. In fact, the only ones that are required to be screened at work are pilots and flight attendants.
Do you think it would be easier for a potential hijacker to pose as a pilot, bluff his way into the cockpit, start, push back, taxi and fly the aircraft into a building OR get an entry level job with a contract cleaning company/provisioner, bring a weapon to work in his lunch bag, place it under the lav trash bag and board the flight as a passenger later on, or have a partner do the same. The person boarding as a passenger can get every cavity searched by the TSA, and still have a weapon at his disposal.
The guy with the pilot uniform doesn't need a weapon, since, if he was able to get the airplane in the air, he ALREADY has control of it.
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The huge Xray machines appearing at the airports in the US are clogging the public areas and forcing people to congregate there while waiting for their bags to go through, many of which are being subsequently hand-searched as well. This is, as well as being a major inconvenience, a terrorist's delight; what a target. And if the screener should find an explosive, and inadvertently set it off during his rummaging around, the toll in dead and injured will be huge. This is enhanced security?
What I want to know is, who gets the money out of this? it is obviously not set up for our safety, so there must be another reason for it all. Usually it is money or power, or both. So where does the kickback go?
And can anyone enlighten me as to the history of checked baggage being used to commit crimes on airplanes? Maybe over the last 10 or 20 years? I can only think of one, and it hardly seems a valid reason for this serious over-kill, especially as it is another nail in the coffin of the airlines.
What's next? I heard that the airlines will be introducing, at government insistence, a series of questions during check-in to find out if the passenger is a security threat, such as "where did you get the money to buy this ticket?" As well as the delays this would cause (if true), I know it would put me off flying, and my response would be sure to have me denied boarding.
It is really sad to see aviation being systematically destroyed, and even sadder to see the way most people acquiesce in all this foolery. Are we really so blind, or so afraid?
What I want to know is, who gets the money out of this? it is obviously not set up for our safety, so there must be another reason for it all. Usually it is money or power, or both. So where does the kickback go?
And can anyone enlighten me as to the history of checked baggage being used to commit crimes on airplanes? Maybe over the last 10 or 20 years? I can only think of one, and it hardly seems a valid reason for this serious over-kill, especially as it is another nail in the coffin of the airlines.
What's next? I heard that the airlines will be introducing, at government insistence, a series of questions during check-in to find out if the passenger is a security threat, such as "where did you get the money to buy this ticket?" As well as the delays this would cause (if true), I know it would put me off flying, and my response would be sure to have me denied boarding.
It is really sad to see aviation being systematically destroyed, and even sadder to see the way most people acquiesce in all this foolery. Are we really so blind, or so afraid?
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As I passed through the crew security check last week I set off the bleep on the walkthrough frame.....was I the one they were looking for?!!.
'A very polite can I check your bag?'..when finshed a thank you from the security person....very civil I thought....then next the security agent who by looking had profiled me and had made the decision I was Bin Ladens cabin crew contact determined to help bring his own aircraft down in the mecca(excuse the pun)
of Staines.
A personal somewhat close body search followed....still nothing
to get me for.....the next words uttered where 'sole check'....
I replied 'Bobby Brown,Luther Vandross,Barry White' ,
I could'nt resist and I found it funny and it was my way of getting round the new era we live in as aviators.
As for the guard he was doing the job he's been directed to do by our over reactionary authorities and had to do it another hundred times that day.
I do not like these checks they have gone too far I have been screened and had an airport ID for 18 years.I have come across some of the best humour from all areas of airline people and hope even in these bad times that this remains with us and does not become forbidden by the idiots in Whitehall.
Next time you pass through crew security look out for the signs,
'you are now entering a no smiling zone'. 
NJR ('Fly To Serve' no longer on the tail but still in the heart)
'A very polite can I check your bag?'..when finshed a thank you from the security person....very civil I thought....then next the security agent who by looking had profiled me and had made the decision I was Bin Ladens cabin crew contact determined to help bring his own aircraft down in the mecca(excuse the pun)
of Staines.A personal somewhat close body search followed....still nothing
to get me for.....the next words uttered where 'sole check'....
I replied 'Bobby Brown,Luther Vandross,Barry White'
,I could'nt resist and I found it funny and it was my way of getting round the new era we live in as aviators.
As for the guard he was doing the job he's been directed to do by our over reactionary authorities and had to do it another hundred times that day.
I do not like these checks they have gone too far I have been screened and had an airport ID for 18 years.I have come across some of the best humour from all areas of airline people and hope even in these bad times that this remains with us and does not become forbidden by the idiots in Whitehall.
Next time you pass through crew security look out for the signs,
'you are now entering a no smiling zone'.
NJR ('Fly To Serve' no longer on the tail but still in the heart)
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There's a movie just out called "Bowling for Columbine". Very interesting and it gives a great insight into Americas' insecurity. It has great humour but it is basically a documentary.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
That the loonies are now being given overall charge of the asylum appears to be a worldwide "phenomenom".
In the part of the world in which I am employed (Asia), operating, dead-heading, and passengering crew are subjected to the same "security checks" as the SLF's.
It appears that these (in the main) unskilled, unthinking uniformed goons are slowly beginning to RULE the airline - something I'll BET the "managers" responsible for them never would initially have thought remotely possible.
Depending upon how quickly (or otherwise) their neurons are interacting, the check-in progress of an entire flight can be expedited or slowed right down to a crawl, as was the case I witnessed today.
3 x-ray machines available, but only ONE in operation, surrounded by 5 "goons", who processed the bags at a rate that caused the passengers from several flight to be stretched in a Conga line snaking for about a 1/4 of the terminal, as the "security guards" stood and talked amongsst themselves.
The walk-through metal detector check is no less a FARCE. Passengers having their nail clippers, and nail files confiscated (stolen!) to prevent them from being taken on board, whilst guys with 1 metre chain "accessories" hanging from their belt are given the thumbs up.
Scissors with blades of 3cms or more immediately fall into the "potential hijacker/terrorist" weapon category, but the 20cm ceramic knife concealed in a jacket escapes detection.
Wanna hold an airline to ransom? Start an aviation "security" business.
You could "make 'em, or break 'em" within the first 12 months!
In the part of the world in which I am employed (Asia), operating, dead-heading, and passengering crew are subjected to the same "security checks" as the SLF's.
It appears that these (in the main) unskilled, unthinking uniformed goons are slowly beginning to RULE the airline - something I'll BET the "managers" responsible for them never would initially have thought remotely possible.
Depending upon how quickly (or otherwise) their neurons are interacting, the check-in progress of an entire flight can be expedited or slowed right down to a crawl, as was the case I witnessed today.
3 x-ray machines available, but only ONE in operation, surrounded by 5 "goons", who processed the bags at a rate that caused the passengers from several flight to be stretched in a Conga line snaking for about a 1/4 of the terminal, as the "security guards" stood and talked amongsst themselves.
The walk-through metal detector check is no less a FARCE. Passengers having their nail clippers, and nail files confiscated (stolen!) to prevent them from being taken on board, whilst guys with 1 metre chain "accessories" hanging from their belt are given the thumbs up.
Scissors with blades of 3cms or more immediately fall into the "potential hijacker/terrorist" weapon category, but the 20cm ceramic knife concealed in a jacket escapes detection.
Wanna hold an airline to ransom? Start an aviation "security" business.
You could "make 'em, or break 'em" within the first 12 months!
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Another round in pilots vs. screeners:
______________________________________________
Posted on Tue, Dec. 31, 2002
Comair pilot arrested for carrying knife in carryon bag
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Comair pilot was charged with disorderly conduct after federal airport screeners found a knife in his carryon bag, police said.
Capt. Rickey L. Mayle initially denied he was carrying a knife, which was detected Sunday by an X-ray at Harrisburg International Airport before Mayle was to board a flight to Atlanta, police said.
A screener searched the bag and found the knife with a 3-inch serrated blade.
Mayle, 46, later said the knife had been in his bag since September, and he had forgotten about it, police said.
The FBI was investigating the incident, officials said.
The early morning flight was delayed more than 1 1/2 hours until another pilot could be found, Comair spokesman Nick Miller said.
Mayle was released without bail pending a preliminary hearing, police said. He did not return a telephone message left at his home Tuesday.
______________________________________________
Posted on Tue, Dec. 31, 2002
Comair pilot arrested for carrying knife in carryon bag
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Comair pilot was charged with disorderly conduct after federal airport screeners found a knife in his carryon bag, police said.
Capt. Rickey L. Mayle initially denied he was carrying a knife, which was detected Sunday by an X-ray at Harrisburg International Airport before Mayle was to board a flight to Atlanta, police said.
A screener searched the bag and found the knife with a 3-inch serrated blade.
Mayle, 46, later said the knife had been in his bag since September, and he had forgotten about it, police said.
The FBI was investigating the incident, officials said.
The early morning flight was delayed more than 1 1/2 hours until another pilot could be found, Comair spokesman Nick Miller said.
Mayle was released without bail pending a preliminary hearing, police said. He did not return a telephone message left at his home Tuesday.
Psychophysiological entity
What ever happened to the issuing of a (mostly) enclosed blade harness knife? I have not flown without my Swiss army knife beside me for the last thirty years...my talisman. ...don't like the thought of being strapped to a load of fuel-soaked wreckage at the best of times, but I'd very much like to have some means of cutting the webbing if the buckle has broken or pulled out of reach.
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Ryanair-captains airside ID bad-Student card good
Foolishly pitched up for a UK internal flight with Ryan clutching my BAA Airside ID complete with sexy "captain" photo.They require "photo ID"-Fair enough.Point blank refused boarding as on page 23 of the T&C's it clearly states that only a passport,picture driving licence,National ID Card or STUDENT ID are acceptable forms of identification.Yep,the student ID you faked when you were 17 to get into pubs.
Left wife and baby in tears at check in,drove like a loony to get home for passport,pitched up for next flight to have same staff glance for a microsecond at said document-paid hefty "handling fee" and got on next flight.
Peed off? Just a bit.Who needs common sennse when you've got "policy"??
Left wife and baby in tears at check in,drove like a loony to get home for passport,pitched up for next flight to have same staff glance for a microsecond at said document-paid hefty "handling fee" and got on next flight.
Peed off? Just a bit.Who needs common sennse when you've got "policy"??
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How bloody ridiculous! I have checked in as a passenger(using my BAA crew ID) many times on GO(eJ) and Ryanair flights and NEVER had any problem! Guess some handling agent didn't get what they wanted for Christmas!! My sympathies go out to you and your family.
Iconoclast
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Cutting a safety harness.
To: Loose rivets
Several years ago I purchased a device that could be used to crack the windows in you car in the event of an accident. On the opposite end of this “hammer” was a concealed blade to cut your lap belt. The blade was semi concealed and could not be used to cut anyone but was sharp enough to cut the belt. I purchased this device in Switzerland. I feel that such a device at least the cutter should be standard equipment in the cockpit of commercial aircraft. I do not believe you could get it through security even in Switzerland as the hammer had pointed surfaces to break the auto glass and could be used as a weapon.
Several years ago I purchased a device that could be used to crack the windows in you car in the event of an accident. On the opposite end of this “hammer” was a concealed blade to cut your lap belt. The blade was semi concealed and could not be used to cut anyone but was sharp enough to cut the belt. I purchased this device in Switzerland. I feel that such a device at least the cutter should be standard equipment in the cockpit of commercial aircraft. I do not believe you could get it through security even in Switzerland as the hammer had pointed surfaces to break the auto glass and could be used as a weapon.
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US Security Procedures
I was a security instructor for the TSA for 7 months! (Airport security @ the checkpoint and baggage checking too.) These TSA folks have "great" power and the ability to abuse it. The supervisors are the ones who are the ones to blame when problems happen (and unfortuneatly they are the ones the normal person asks for!). Although an inexperienced group, they have great training(biased opinion.) The general concept of the walk-through metal detector is "mass" screening of persons, while allowing maximum"flow." No matter the 'sensitivity level', if an alarm occurs, you will go to further screening, ie. hand wand metal detector. All items will go through the xray machine whenever the set off an "alarm." The best way to get through security is to divest or remove all metallic items and present them for Xray. The xray operator will be able to determine the identity of all items passed through the xray machine.
In some airports, the metal "shanks" in dress shoes will set off the metal detector and will require "further" screening of persons. Therefore, in some airports, screeners have been asking passengers (and pilots) to remove their shoes before passing through the walk through metal detector.
As a previous instructor I absolutley REFUSE to remove my shoes before the walk through metal detector; No Dirty Socks for me. I usually walk through with no problems with my non-metallic shoes and waste less of their/and my time. When challenged about removing my shoes I respond..." I will be happy to go through further handwand metallic screening if I set off the walk-through metal detector with my shoes on!" Those are the rules and are generally respected! Of course, to the detriment of the USA's TSA, there are still individual airport procedures out there. If I am inspected after the walk-through metal detector, ,my shoes will almost always go through the xray machine (as they are required to, with an alarm, when the xray is available.) If I am aware that my shoes have metal "shanks" in them; well i could take them off before the metal detector if I am in a hurry and have them xrayed along with my other carry-on items. If not in a hurry.................hand wanding...removing belt...shoes...coat...and being subject to physical body searches is my alternate choice. Anything for effective yet efficient search procedures.
good flying (after security)
russ
In some airports, the metal "shanks" in dress shoes will set off the metal detector and will require "further" screening of persons. Therefore, in some airports, screeners have been asking passengers (and pilots) to remove their shoes before passing through the walk through metal detector.
As a previous instructor I absolutley REFUSE to remove my shoes before the walk through metal detector; No Dirty Socks for me. I usually walk through with no problems with my non-metallic shoes and waste less of their/and my time. When challenged about removing my shoes I respond..." I will be happy to go through further handwand metallic screening if I set off the walk-through metal detector with my shoes on!" Those are the rules and are generally respected! Of course, to the detriment of the USA's TSA, there are still individual airport procedures out there. If I am inspected after the walk-through metal detector, ,my shoes will almost always go through the xray machine (as they are required to, with an alarm, when the xray is available.) If I am aware that my shoes have metal "shanks" in them; well i could take them off before the metal detector if I am in a hurry and have them xrayed along with my other carry-on items. If not in a hurry.................hand wanding...removing belt...shoes...coat...and being subject to physical body searches is my alternate choice. Anything for effective yet efficient search procedures.
good flying (after security)
russ
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As nwun has already drawn attention to Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine", take a look at Stupid White Men. I don't agree with everything Michael Moore says, but the ability freely to carry on lighters while banning nail clippers does seem illogical.
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From what I have seen on my travels over the last year and the attitude/behaviour of some of these security checkers...
It can only be a matter of time before a passenger or staff member files a charge of 'Assault' or similar against a member of security staff...in conjuction with the appropriate 'Mental Distress' etc. civil claims...
Whether the case is proven or not this will no doubt highlight the issue and hopefully bring the whole situation back into line and reality!
It can only be a matter of time before a passenger or staff member files a charge of 'Assault' or similar against a member of security staff...in conjuction with the appropriate 'Mental Distress' etc. civil claims...
Whether the case is proven or not this will no doubt highlight the issue and hopefully bring the whole situation back into line and reality!
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The key is identification
Questions:
1. If we lock the pilots in the flight deck behind a bulletproof door, we should make sure that they are really the pilots
2. So we have to identify them = good ID
3. The Licence should be the ID. Design a better licence
4. If we can identify them as air carrier pilots, we do not need to search/screen them.
ICAO needs to set a new standard for pilots licenses, so that the licence is an international airport ID as well.
Let us settle on a worldwide action day (july4th, 2003?) where pilots will refuse to be screened. The discussions will follow, and possible action.
What do you think?
1. If we lock the pilots in the flight deck behind a bulletproof door, we should make sure that they are really the pilots
2. So we have to identify them = good ID
3. The Licence should be the ID. Design a better licence
4. If we can identify them as air carrier pilots, we do not need to search/screen them.
ICAO needs to set a new standard for pilots licenses, so that the licence is an international airport ID as well.
Let us settle on a worldwide action day (july4th, 2003?) where pilots will refuse to be screened. The discussions will follow, and possible action.
What do you think?
Iconoclast
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Independence day
Let us settle on a worldwide action day (July 4th, 2003) where pilots will refuse to be screened. The discussions will follow, and possible action.
Airport Security
The overall strength of the security and screening system at various airports, is only as safe and secure as the weakest link in the chain.
As I understand, at many UK Airports anyway and a large one in the North West in particular, it is only Passengers, Aircrew and some staff who are subject to positive seceening. I understand that members of the Security staff themselves, Police, Customs, Airport Executives to name but few, are in fact NOT subject to any security sereening and positive checks at all. Perhaps some of these elevated groups consider they are so important that they should be immune from security checking.
If this is the case and I would appreciate confirmation or not of this, the whole system is surely virtually worthless.
I fully accept the need for sensible and thorough security of ALL persons, but excluding some groups for whatever reason makes a mockery of all our efforts to promote airviation safety for everybody.
As I understand, at many UK Airports anyway and a large one in the North West in particular, it is only Passengers, Aircrew and some staff who are subject to positive seceening. I understand that members of the Security staff themselves, Police, Customs, Airport Executives to name but few, are in fact NOT subject to any security sereening and positive checks at all. Perhaps some of these elevated groups consider they are so important that they should be immune from security checking.
If this is the case and I would appreciate confirmation or not of this, the whole system is surely virtually worthless.
I fully accept the need for sensible and thorough security of ALL persons, but excluding some groups for whatever reason makes a mockery of all our efforts to promote airviation safety for everybody.
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Kaikohe76
What your post is referring to be pretty standard throughout the world, some airports are worse than others.
That is one of the reasons that flight crews are objecting to the screening that they have to endure. There are so many big holes in the security system that you could drive a truck thru them.
The only way that an airport can have true security is to lock it down...So why are our political masters wasting valuable resources on such a farce? Because the traveling public are like cattle that chose to believe in the window dressing.
The reality is that there is no protection against people willing to give up their lives for a political cause.
What your post is referring to be pretty standard throughout the world, some airports are worse than others.
That is one of the reasons that flight crews are objecting to the screening that they have to endure. There are so many big holes in the security system that you could drive a truck thru them.
The only way that an airport can have true security is to lock it down...So why are our political masters wasting valuable resources on such a farce? Because the traveling public are like cattle that chose to believe in the window dressing.
The reality is that there is no protection against people willing to give up their lives for a political cause.
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Some security encounters are professional
Like most pilots, I also at times are outraged at how we are treated by security personnel and procedures.
However, flying as an SLF, on 21 December I cleared Customs and Immigration at KSTL (St. Louis Intl.). All personnel were very pleasant, and in the Christmas spirit.
I then had to process through a TSA security checkpoint. Without exception, all personnel were polite, friendly, professional, and also in the Christmas spirit.
On 3 January I departed KSMF (Sacramento) en route to Italy. Again, the TSA personnel were polite, friendly, and professional.
However, flying as an SLF, on 21 December I cleared Customs and Immigration at KSTL (St. Louis Intl.). All personnel were very pleasant, and in the Christmas spirit.
I then had to process through a TSA security checkpoint. Without exception, all personnel were polite, friendly, professional, and also in the Christmas spirit.
On 3 January I departed KSMF (Sacramento) en route to Italy. Again, the TSA personnel were polite, friendly, and professional.
Last edited by Check 6; 20th Jan 2003 at 08:09.
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Havn't had a chance to read all the posts so apologies for any repetition but two examples from both sides of the Atlantic of the pathetic situation regarding security.
Sanford: Whole crew made to take their shoes off but in the time it took for us to be cleared about 100 pasengers were quite happily cleared through with only the usual x-ray on handbaggage!
Birmingham: Called out from Standby and told to get to a/c a.s.a.p. No problem, or so I thought, until I arrived at security as the rest of the crew were on board, (as were the pax) security wouldn't let me through as I was on my own! Licence check, passport check but they wanted to see my crew signing- in sheet. Having made my way direct to the terminal without going to the office I didn't have a signing-in sheet so they wouldn't let me through! However, it was amazing how fast they moved, and changed their minds, when I took out my mobile and asked them to explain to my ops. why the flight would miss it's slot, 220 pax would be delayed and the programme would be off schedule for the rest of the day!
Sanford: Whole crew made to take their shoes off but in the time it took for us to be cleared about 100 pasengers were quite happily cleared through with only the usual x-ray on handbaggage!
Birmingham: Called out from Standby and told to get to a/c a.s.a.p. No problem, or so I thought, until I arrived at security as the rest of the crew were on board, (as were the pax) security wouldn't let me through as I was on my own! Licence check, passport check but they wanted to see my crew signing- in sheet. Having made my way direct to the terminal without going to the office I didn't have a signing-in sheet so they wouldn't let me through! However, it was amazing how fast they moved, and changed their minds, when I took out my mobile and asked them to explain to my ops. why the flight would miss it's slot, 220 pax would be delayed and the programme would be off schedule for the rest of the day!