Airline Bombing Suspect Caught!!!

[LisaR]

I fly every week, all over the world, and my experience is the exact opposite. I have the impression that TSA panders to the demands of the public and isn't always thorough enough. The physical searches that I experience regularly in Asia and in Europe are far more than a 'pat down' and are often not just part of a secondary screening.

And as I stated earlier, TSA allows items which CATSA and EU regulations do not permit in hand luggage. My hand luggage is usually opened and physically checked while it is rarely done in America when I travel with the exact same items.

In many parts of the world there is also more gate screening, and one must also show a passport or other approved document before boarding the plane, not just at check in and/or the security screening area.

Prior to 9/11, in America one could also be at the gate area when not flying, which was not the norm elsewhere. And in many parts of the world one cannot even enter the airport terminal unless one holds a valid ticket or boarding pass for a flight.

This news broke while we still had a houseful of people last night. Everyone here (except my Mom and myself) are seasoned international travelers. A few travel multiple times a month and have for years; including before 9-11. All of them said exactly what you said, Bavaria. They regularly have luggage searched and they receive far more than a "pat down." They were all very surprised that this happened based on the security measures they have experienced in Asia, Africa and Europe.

 

[bavaria]

Remember too that in the last part of the last century we were dealing with terrorism around the world, whether it was Baader-Meinhof, the IRA, ETA, or any other of the myriad of groups which took action on European, African, Asian and Middle Eastern soils.

For those of us who travelled in America prior to 9/11, many of us were shocked at the trash cans, visitors at the gate, lack of checks of hand luggage, lack of identification checks, and unattended luggage which we saw in airports. In fact, just last week I dealt with a piece of unattended luggage in America; I immediately honed in on it due to my past experience, yet nobody else seemed to notice, and even when I pointed it out to my companion she didn't have the same reaction.

Remember too that this traveller would have had to show a valid entry document for the US at least once, if not twice or more, before boarding the last flight (and most likely even the first flight). The question becomes how did someone who was on a watch list obtain a US visa?

 

[bavaria]

New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.

This new set of rules, along with the just announced one carry on bag policy for flights to the US, will have an economic impact and is reactive rather than proactive.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think what we are going to end up seeing is a push for a full body scan, which is being used optionally at some airports. DH was scanned in Fl. with the device. I am not sure which airport. Its apparent that the device that was smuggled through would have eluded most current screening methods that are routinely used.

 

[bavaria]

AMS has been using them for more than 2.5 years now. In fact, they were the first airport in the world to do so in a regular situation.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1569798620070515

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Amsterdam's Schiphol airport began using new body-scanning machines at security checkpoints on Tuesday, the first major airport to use the technology to find metals and explosives hidden under clothing.

The "security scan" system, which uses harmless radio waves to display head-to-toe images of people, is also being used by other airports on a trial basis, but Schiphol is the only one to deploy the technology for regular use at its checkpoints.

Going through the scanner takes about three seconds, allowing users to avoid metal detectors or body searches. For privacy, the digital images are viewed by security personnel in another room and deleted after they are viewed.

Schiphol handles about 160,000 passengers per day at peak times and is Europe's fourth-busiest hub. So far the security scan is voluntary but officials are hoping to expand it to include all passengers, crew and personnel.

Schiphol is one of the world's most modern airports, with flat-panel screens, airport-wide Web access, and iris-scanners already on offer to those who want to bypass passport lines.

Some people object to using the machines because they are concerned about the radio waves, rather than privacy, said Schiphol's Chief Operations Officer Ad Rutten.

But the alternative, being hand-frisked, is "never a happy story," Rutten says.

 

[DawnCt1]

AMS has been using them for more than 2.5 years now. In fact, they were the first airport in the world to do so in a regular situation.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1569798620070515

The news is reporting that this guy boarded in Nigeria and flew out of AMS, and in fact, he was probably rescreened at AMS. It is believed that this device was strapped to his leg and missed, so can one assume that it got through the screener or he wasn't screened with a full body screener. It is believed that he used PETN, which is a very powerful explosive. What is disturbing is that he was on a "watch" list, but not on a no fly list.

 

[melly]

If he's on a terror watch list, he shouldn't be allowed to fly at all, in my opinion.

oh dear

There will be thousands of people on the terror watchlist who are innocent, never have done anything nor wll they ever do anything. Should they be impeded from travelling too.

People need to realise just because you are some suspect list does not mean you have done anything.

 

[DawnCt1]

This new set of rules, along with the just announced one carry on bag policy for flights to the US, will have an economic impact and is reactive rather than proactive.

I agree. It will also make it more difficult for adults flying with small children and infants. Adopting Israel's airline screening techniques is what needs to be done.

 

[Aisling]

I find Frankfurt to the very strict. Each summer I fly into Frankfurt and reconnect to a flight to Munich or Vienna. They always make us go through security again before boarding the second plane.

This was my experience flying from London Heathrow to NYC JFK. There were tables set up right at the gate for carry-on inspection and people doing pat downs.


As for the innocent people on terrorist watch lists, too bad for them. This is the time we live in, and if you're on a watch list, your name should trigger an automatic pat down, interview, and second screening at the gate area.

 

[bavaria]

The news is reporting that this guy boarded in Nigeria and flew out of AMS, and in fact, he was probably rescreened at AMS. It is believed that this device was strapped to his leg and missed, so can one assume that it got through the screener or he wasn't screened with a full body screener. It is believed that he used PETN, which is a very powerful explosive. What is disturbing is that he was on a "watch" list, but not on a no fly list.

But as the ZDF example I posted on page 1 shows, someone with enough know how and effort can construct a device using things brought through security and purchased at duty free.

The reality is that it is impossible to completely stop anyone with enough desire.

And I am very curious to hear the outcome of the US visa issue especially as I know first hand how difficult it can be for regular, frequent, trusted travellers to obtain visas for the US.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I won't pretend to have any idea of how we're supposed to stop these animals before they manage to do harm... but I am grateful that this was an unsuccessful event. How horrible to intend such malice .

 

[1957]

DH flies to Europe a lot, and security is far more lax outside of the country. This guy apparently boarded in Nigeria, where it is very lax. Many European cities are lax by our standards, Amsterdam is a more secure.

But this guy had to go through Arrival Customs and Security in Amsterdam to get on the flight (different plane) to Detroit. So, whatever he was carrying got through.

 

[kimmar067]

...too bad the explosive[fireworks] didn't go off closer to his crotch...

 

[Rora]

If he's on a terror watch list, he shouldn't be allowed to fly at all, in my opinion.

I agree completely. I don't care- once you're a terrorist, you loose your rights.

I think this is ridiculous. Thank goodness no one was hurt.

 

[sparklynails23]

Did anyone read the new rules that will be randomly enforced: no standing for the last hour of a flight, no access to carry-ons for the last hour of a flight, nothing on one's lap for the entire flight-- including laptops and pillows? The stoy was on Yahoo news.

 

[DawnCt1]

Did anyone read the new rules that will be randomly enforced: no standing for the last hour of a flight, no access to carry-ons for the last hour of a flight, nothing on one's lap for the entire flight-- including laptops and pillows? The stoy was on Yahoo news.

This is an inconvenience for adults. This will be very cumbersome for parents with small children; toddlers that need to use the bathroom, babies that need bottles, etc.

 

[DebbieB]

But this guy had to go through Arrival Customs and Security in Amsterdam to get on the flight (different plane) to Detroit. So, whatever he was carrying got through.

That may not be true. When I connected in Frankfurt earlier this year, there was no going through German customs. I did have to go through security because I switched terminals (United to Lufthansa) but if my next flight was in the same terminal, there would have been no security check. The explosives were sewn into his underwear so it would have been hard to pickup even with another screening.

 

[1957]

That may not be true. When I connected in Frankfurt earlier this year, there was no going through German customs. I did have to go through security because I switched terminals (United to Lufthansa) but if my next flight was in the same terminal, there would have been no security check. The explosives were sewn into his underwear so it would have been hard to pickup even with another screening.

But you did have to go through Security.

Thought it was taped to his leg. ??

 

[DawnCt1]

That may not be true. When I connected in Frankfurt earlier this year, there was no going through German customs. I did have to go through security because I switched terminals (United to Lufthansa) but if my next flight was in the same terminal, there would have been no security check. The explosives were sewn into his underwear so it would have been hard to pickup even with another screening.

DH finds European customs, 'not very serious". Minimal questions asked, more or less a "wave through". When he returns to the US however, he is often asked very direct questions; "What was your business abroad". "What kind of physician are you?", "What meeting did you attend"? etc. Most of it is disguised as conversational banter, but they are observing all of the time. He feels that type of questioning is far less in Europe and Italy by far, is the worst in terms of security and customs. In the US, they found an M&M in his pocket during a pat down. The same M&M that was ignored in a European airport.

 

[DebbieB]

But you did have to go through Security.

Thought it was taped to his leg. ??

Only because I switched terminals. If you stayed in the same terminal, no security check. I don't know what the setup is in Amsterdam. We didn't even have to fill out immigration forms going into Germany, like you do when you enter the US. I assume if you were actually leaving the airport you would have to go through some type of customs.

Underwear or pants, it would not be picked up by standard security. Only if he went through one of those "puffer" machines or maybe a patdown.