Why do pilots go through TSA?

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

The story linked below inspired to think about why do airline pilots have to go through TSA? This is utterly stupid, because if a pilot wants to destroy the plane, all he has to do is crash it, since he is the pilot...unless he needs a weapon to neutralize the copilot. Anyhow, you guys can comment.

Pilot Refuses Full-Body Scan, Says TSA Doesn’t Make Travel Safer « CBS New York – News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of NY

M.D. Holloway · 10-20-2010, 08:13 AM

Public Relations - TSA doesn't stop the bad guys, it only makes the good guys feel good. Smoke and fun house mirrors...

island911 · 10-20-2010, 08:22 AM

TSA is a ridiculous charade.

United Airlines Flight 93 put an end to the idea that a passenger plane could be taken over, and used as a weapon. If a big jet is again used, as a missile, it will be a cargo plane(s) - not a passenger plane(s). ...seems SO freaking obvious.

All of this metal scanning is also misplaced effort. --ceramics anybody?

And, already, bad-guys shove weapons up their ass -- making all of TSA's efforts nothing more than an easter-egg hunt for the common traveler's bottled water, cans of pop, knitting needles and nipple piercings.

. . . but at least now, with really expensive back-scatter machines, TSA has images to share amongst themselves (for now) to keep the job interesting and fun.

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

I think TSA is subsidized employment for folks who otherwise would be on unemployment. Keeps them off the streets, and lets them do their mischiefs in a controlled environment.

legion · 10-20-2010, 08:51 AM

I like the TSA guys at the Bloomington airport. They bring a healthy dose of common sense to their jobs, they are courteous and polite. I've seen them politely tell people to stand off to the side to finish their drink (and can jump right back in the line), or tell people when they bring something prohibited through security that they will rush them through if they want to run back to their car to put it away (10 minutes roundtrip of walking at that airport).

I've also never seen TSA people behave like them at any other airport.

scottmandue · 10-20-2010, 08:55 AM

They took my toothpaste away from me... but let my wife carry on a 8X10 picture frame... with glass in it.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by island911

TSA is a ridiculous charade.

United Airlines Flight 93 put an end to the idea that a passenger plane could be taken over, and used as a weapon. If a big jet is again used, as a missile, it will be a cargo plane(s) - not a passenger plane(s). ...seems SO freaking obvious.

All of this metal scanning is also misplaced effort. --ceramics anybody?

And, already, bad-guys shove weapons up their ass -- making all of TSA's efforts nothing more than an easter-egg hunt for the common traveler's bottled water, cans of pop, knitting needles and nipple piercings.

. . . but at least now, with really expensive back-scatter machines, TSA has images to share amongst themselves (for now) to keep the job interesting and fun.

No one is going to hijack a plane with a gun or knife anymore. Why then are we restricted for these items, along with knitting needles, corkscrews, screw drivers, etc?

The only things we need to be concerned with are bombs. The body scanners are skin deep. They will not detect anything inserted in a body cavity or surgically implanted. While it might defeat the underwear bomber, it won't stop the next threat.

I'm with Mike on this one. It makes the flying sheeple THINK something is being done.

scottmandue · 10-20-2010, 09:09 AM

Oh... they let my wife also carry knitting needles on also.

This of the money we are wasting on this charade.

VINMAN · 10-20-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legion

I've also never seen TSA people behave like them at any other airport.

TSA here in Newark airport are the worst I've ever seen. I think they hire right off of Craigslist.

stomachmonkey · 10-20-2010, 09:43 AM

Apparently the largest contingent of Federally licensed to carry, uniformed, deputized "LEO's" is airline pilots.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

TSA = Thousands Standing Around

notmytarga · notmytarga's Garage

I flew out of San Diego yesterday. The body scan was different - rather than a metal detector type walk through they had me (and everyone else) stand sideways with arms up and hands "like antlers". The sound and shape of the machine seemed like a panorex or CT type xray. I doubt they would have let me see the scan....... While lining up to board three TSA agents went through the line sort of randomly and asked to see ID's and boarding passes - that was a new one too. The re-look at the ID's had me thinking they might have missed someone or maybe just were using the manpower not needed because of no one coming into this two gate area. But it spooked me a bit.

The odd thing is that I usually fly with a giveaway cheap fabric case to keep my 'stuff' in one place. For five years and maybe 20 flights I have had bandage scissors inside and they have avoided TSA concern. When closed the scissors would look on xray like the tips are rounded but one of the blades is pointed. I figured they would get picked up and I would hand them over saying I forgot they were there. But now it has turned into a test of TSA effectiveness. Maybe the next step is to open the blades just a bit........ I'd like to tell them about the 20 other times theywere missed.

Superman · 10-20-2010, 10:06 AM

Knitting needles are okay.

BlueSkyJaunte · 10-20-2010, 10:25 AM

Some jackass TSA "agent" in Denver confiscated the titanium bottle opener off my key chain. At my objection he called over his "supervisor" who concurred that it was a "potentially dangerous weapon". I'm sure he's popping a cold one right now with it. F(*&ers.

911Freak · 10-20-2010, 10:28 AM

SMF is a great airport, wish all of them were like it!

Is a Leatherman ok

I forgot I had mine in my backpack, jumped on a flight from LAX to Hawaii and mid-flight reached into my bag for something and came up with my "tool" which (as you all know) has 2 pretty effective blades on it, one is basically a saw! Wooops! I quietly put it away.
It was loaded in the checked bags for the return flight.

One thought of how/why it got through TSA screening was this:
approaching the scanner/metal detector one of the agents yelled out a "code" every screening agent in the entire terminal stopped traffic, red lights flashing etc. It took them 15min to get the "all clear". Just then I went through security, all the agents were distracted and talking to each other about what had just happened.

Made me realize how easily "bad guys" could do the oldest trick in the book (create a diversion) and slip something through etc.

Pretty much a joke... But, how many other people noticed this breach? I'm sure I'm not the only one and pretty sure this wasn't an isolated incident.

stomachmonkey · 10-20-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911Freak

Is a Leatherman ok

Nope.

Forgot I had a mini in my briefcase.

Got thru 3 previous flights before they picked it up and confiscated.

I did have the option to mail it back to myself or put in checked baggage but no time for that so I lost it.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Don't take anything as a carry-on item that you value. Simple as that.

I usually have a bag with my ID, sunglasses, cell phone and a book or two. And maybe a sweatshirt. No keys, no nothin' else - it all goes in the checked bags.

Yeah it could be a PITA if the bags ever got delayed but it beats having some slacker TSA jerkoff help him or her self to it.

jyl · jyl's Garage

I suppose a pilot's badge and uniform wouldn't be impossible to counterfeit, and then you have a class of people who can wheel a flight case of hand grenades, submachine guns, whatever they like, into the airport, because they don't go through security. Smart idea, guys.

air-cool-me · 10-20-2010, 11:13 AM

I wonder if the TSA knows that every aircraft that I have ever flow came equiped with a

****ing AXE! in the cockpit...

or if i wanted to crash.. wait till the other guy went to pee and lock him out. problem solved.

I could really care less if some highschool dropout wants to analyze every wrinkle of my balls in high definition 3D.. But what I do care about is is that they make the process longer. I used to be able to walk through without removing my belt or wallet.

Now I just pick the line without the radar nonsense. its just faster

.
(unless there are old people or strollers already in it)

air-cool-me · 10-20-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

I suppose a pilot's badge and uniform wouldn't be impossible to counterfeit, and then you have a class of people who can wheel a flight case of hand grenades, submachine guns, whatever they like, into the airport, because they don't go through security. Smart idea, guys.

If you think someone who is highly motivated cant get all that **** into the secure area.. your already mistaken...

Have you looked at who's loading you bags? they don't have to go through security