Man Boards Plane At IAH With Loaded Gun In Carry-on

[Richard]

Technology and screening - it's only as effective as the operators.

Man Boards Plane At IAH With Loaded Gun In Carry-on

Anybody need a TSA job? I'd wager there are a couple of new postings coming open in Houston International Airport.

And so it goes...

Richard

Man Boards Plane At IAH With Loaded Gun In Carry-on
KTRK News, 17 Dec 2010

TSA checkpoints at airports are at the front lines of preventing terrorism. When you go through security, you expect to be scanned and searched. And you expect TSA to prevent contraband from getting on planes, but as we've learned, that doesn't always happen.

Houston businessman Farid Seif says it was a startling discovery. He didn't intend to bring a loaded gun on a flight out of Houston and can't understand how TSA screeners didn't catch it.

Nearing the height of last year's Christmas travel season, TSA screeners at Bush Intercontinental Airport somehow missed a loaded pistol, one that was tucked away inside a carry-on computer bag.

"I mean, this is not a small gun," Seif said. "It's a .40 caliber gun."

Seif says it was an accident which he didn't realize until he arrived at his destination. He says he carries the glock for protection but forgot to remove it from his bag. He reported the incident as soon as he landed, shocked at the security lapse.

"There's nothing else in there. How can you miss it? You cannot miss it," Seif said.

Authorities tell ABC News the incident is not uncommon, but how often it occurs is a closely guarded government secret. Experts say every year since the September 11 attacks, federal agencies have conducted random, covert tests of airport security.

A person briefed on the latest tests tells ABC News the failure rate approaches 70 percent at some major airports. Two weeks ago, TSA's new director said every test gun, bomb part or knife got past screeners at some airports.

"It's very concerning. I'm very scared. First of al, I can't even believe it could happen," traveler Joy Mansfield said.

"It makes you wonder what exactly all the security hoopla is all about if a loaded gun can go through," traveler Leeza Erfesoglou said.

KTRK's Aviation Security Expert Jim Conway says screeners have a demanding job and are susceptible to fatigue, staring for hours at monitors while looking for prohibited items.

"Look, this is simply human error," Conway said. "When something like this happens, it's human error. I mean, these folks are doing the best job they can."

Seif and others say that's not good enough, not when lives are on the line.

A representative for the Houston Airport System would not comment on the security breach at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

A TSA spokesperson says the agency has conducted an investigation, saying remedial training was provided to the security officers involved in the incident. Advanced imaging technology and more stringent pat downs have also since been implemented.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?se...cal&id=7848683

[The Reaper]

I can't believe that Farid Seif reported himself.

At the point where you realize that you are in a foreign country with an illegal handgun, and still have to fly back home, it is time to disassemble the weapon and look for a large body of water to toss the pieces into.

TR

[DJ Urbanovsky]

TSA always seems so concerned by my flashlight, Ti chopsticks, and saline solution, but a guy pass through with a .40 caliber Glock? Ludicrous.

[Kyobanim]

I suppose they were more interested in grabbing a handful.

[Snaquebite]

remedial training was provided to the security officers involved in the incident.

Makes me feel better....

[Peregrino]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

Makes me feel better....

Though probably not as much better as the intended target. The sheeple should be placated with the sure knowlege that "something is being done". (Yeah - I'm rolling my eyes too.)

[akv]

Very disturbing, IIRC there was an article in the Atlantic a few years back, where a journalist tested what he could get past TSA screeners, definitely snarky but left you shaking your head. (Jihad books, Hezbollah flag, UBL t-shirt?)

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...-carried/7057/

The Things He Carried
Airport security in America is a sham—“security theater” designed to make travelers feel better and catch stupid terrorists. Smart ones can get through security with fake boarding passes and all manner of prohibited items—as our correspondent did with ease.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by Richard

KTRK's Aviation Security Expert Jim Conway says screeners have a demanding job and are susceptible to fatigue, staring for hours at monitors while looking for prohibited items.

"Look, this is simply human error," Conway said. "When something like this happens, it's human error. I mean, these folks are doing the best job they can."

As my father always says, "You can find an excuse for anything!"

Maybe if the they were smart, instead of a CYA statement, they would own-up to their own obvious mistakes in hiring, and hire folks that could actually do the damn job!

Rediculos, IMHO!

Holly

[wandering_idiot]

This year, I thought I had lost my multi-tool in Haiti when we were getting ready to leave in Feb; I looked everywhere for it, including upending my bags.

Before it was found, I had flown three times to LATAM, twice through the US, Dubai, and a couple of countries in Africa.

It was found while travelling in my carry-on backpack in the Ivory Coast, crammed under one of those little foam protective thingys at the bottom of your bag to make sure whatever it's sitting on doesn't damage the items in your bag.

They also took my replacement boot laces, saying I could strangle the crew with them... but they let me keep the ones I had on

[Cynic]

Near as I can tell from this , it looks like I could have committed murder, rape, or treason as long as it was more than ten years ago and STILL qualify to do airport screening.