Northwest passenger who tried to blow up Detroit-bound flight linked to al-Qaida

[Bill Bumface]

The rest of my family is off to Hawaii today via Seattle. They've spent hours in security lines (one of them had to go to the can and can't even rejoin the rest in line) and they had to pack most of their carry-on away and are now waiting for the pat down/physical search. Sounds like a fun morning brought to you by the TSA.

Don't they realize that our security is just a tad better than that in Nigeria? And that the attack failed, and there probably wasn't a boxing day massacre planed?

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

There isn't fervor over terrorism outside of the US?

Maybe a couple of European nations, but no, not really. You don't hear the "terror alert level" being announced every couple minutes in every airport anywhere else that I'm aware of.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

The rest of my family is off to Hawaii today via Seattle. They've spent hours in security lines (one of them had to go to the can and can't even rejoin the rest in line) and they had to pack most of their carry-on away and are now waiting for the pat down/physical search. Sounds like a fun morning brought to you by the TSA.

I'll be interested to hear how that goes. I'm off to Hawaii in 3 weeks and am not looking forward to these new security measures.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Maybe a couple of European nations, but no, not really. You don't hear the "terror alert level" being announced every couple minutes in every airport anywhere else that I'm aware of.

I've never heard the terror alert level announced in a US airport. Ever.

[Ducay]

Oh wow, now this is ridiculous

Air Canada said in a news release that new rules will also limit activities by passengers and crew while in U.S. airspace. "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," the country's largest air carrier said, citing new U.S. Transportation Security Administration policies.

Pretty soon we'll all be flying naked in shackles while in flight

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Oh wow, now this is ridiculous



Pretty soon we'll all be flying naked in shackles while in flight

More like they'll ban all carry on luggage in the future.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

I've never heard the terror alert level announced in a US airport. Ever.

Really? Because I can say with certainty they announce it in Minneapolis as well as Houston: "The department of homeland security reminds you the current terror threat level is ORANGE".

I'm fairly certain they did this in New York, Chicago and San Francisco as well, but can't remember specifically.

This has been going on since 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelan...dvisory_System

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Really? Because I can say with certainty they announce it in Minneapolis as well as Houston: "The department of homeland security reminds you the current terror threat level is ORANGE".

I'm fairly certain they did this in New York, Chicago and San Francisco as well, but can't remember specifically.

This has been going on since 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelan...dvisory_System

Yeah, I'm well aware of what the system is. I am questioning the assertion that it is announced every two minutes in airports because Americans have an unreasonable fervor toward terrorism..

In any case, I think it's quite curious that a guy tried to blow up an airplane and people are more concerned with an inconvenience that it might cause them than the fact that the TSA isn't getting the job done in the first place.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

In any case, I think it's quite curious that a guy tried to blow up an airplane and people are more concerned with an inconvenience that it might cause them than the fact that the TSA isn't getting the job done in the first place.

I'm wondering if Nigeria or Amsterdam didn't screen passengers properly.

I can't see that guy doing this or getting his explosives on board for that matter if the flight had started in the States or Canada.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

... people are more concerned with an inconvenience that it might cause them than the fact that the TSA isn't getting the job done in the first place.

Maybe we are upset that we are being asked to needlessly inconvenience ourselves for a security measure that will proved 0 additional protection because somebody screwed in Nigeria letting this guy through security?

[Berger_4_]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Really? Because I can say with certainty they announce it in Minneapolis as well as Houston: "The department of homeland security reminds you the current terror threat level is ORANGE".

I'm fairly certain they did this in New York, Chicago and San Francisco as well, but can't remember specifically.

This has been going on since 2012. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelan...dvisory_System

Are you from the future!?!? Edit---I remember seeing the boards in L.A. a few years ago as well I think. At least I think it was boards...either that or the announcement, that was like five years ago now.

All this security stuff is starting to get ######ed as far as I'm concerned. People gonna have to eventually start saying eff you to the TSA. They've gone from a useful security tool to that aunt of yours who's just learned how to email you and constantly sends you stuff that looks like it was pulled out of the National Enquirer or some other ridiculous tabloid. Like really...not being able to move in the last hour of your flight? Just stupid.

In my unprofessional opinion, I think this guy may have just been a looney and when things went south he blamed it on al-Qaeda. Trying to take the heat off himself a bit and that sort of thing.

Oh and one more thing...trying to bomb Detroit? Really? Detroit? Wouldn't that just be improving the city?

[burn_this_city]

Chances are this guy got through lax security in Nigeria and they likely dont rescreen international passengers in Amsterdamn. I'm believe the level of security in the western world has been more than adequate for the last 8 years. They'll probably ramp up checks for the next while until the investigation concludes the lapse in security happened in Africa not Europe.

[atb]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Chances are this guy got through lax security in Nigeria and they likely dont rescreen international passengers in Amsterdamn. I'm believe the level of security in the western world has been more than adequate for the last 8 years. They'll probably ramp up checks for the next while until the investigation concludes the lapse in security happened in Africa not Europe.

Based on the explosive device being on his upper leg under his pants, it's unlikely this would have been caught by anything other than a full pat down.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Yeah, I'm well aware of what the system is. I am questioning the assertion that it is announced every two minutes in airports because Americans have an unreasonable fervor toward terrorism..

If your well aware of what the system is you should be well aware of the airport announcements.

I can't find anything online specifically referencing them, but I think there should be lots of people on here that fly frequently that can back me up on this one.

In any case, I think it's quite curious that a guy tried to blow up an airplane and people are more concerned with an inconvenience that it might cause them than the fact that the TSA isn't getting the job done in the first place.

Yup, since everyone is alright, I care way more about the inconvenience for people in Western airports with proper security that are suffering from the inevitable overreaction. How about work on security standards in the country this guy got a bomb through security in, instead of a country who to my knowledge has never let a bomb through security?

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by atb

Based on the explosive device being on his upper leg under his pants, it's unlikely this would have been caught by anything other than a full pat down.

He'd still need some metal in the explosive unless he planned on lighting it with a bic. Which should set off the metal detectors.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Chances are this guy got through lax security in Nigeria and they likely dont rescreen international passengers in Amsterdamn. I'm believe the level of security in the western world has been more than adequate for the last 8 years. They'll probably ramp up checks for the next while until the investigation concludes the lapse in security happened in Africa not Europe.

I came through Amsterdam via Africa last year, heading to Seattle, a USA destination, and was re-screened in Amsterdam, just as I was on the way out to Africa in Amsterdam. I found them to be very thorough and suitably suspicious, moreso on the KLM side on the way out. In fact, I was taken aside and given a exta grilling. Must have been my close-set eyes and low, criminal forehead.

I would assume this guy had some kind of baggy cargo pants on with the devices already strapped on. Lots of guys look like that going to and from Africa.

I'd rather be inconvenienced by thoroughness than blown up. Airport security lineups are the only lineups I've got a lot of patience for.

Cowperson

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

He'd still need some metal in the explosive unless he planned on lighting it with a bic. Which should set off the metal detectors.

what about a single match. That wouldn't show up anywhere.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Oh wow, now this is ridiculous



Pretty soon we'll all be flying naked in shackles while in flight

I hope so, because I'm sure my tongue will be able to reach the hot chick's nipples.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

what about a single match. That wouldn't show up anywhere.

Quite possible considering he lit himself on fire. Interesting what Cowperson said, and I was going to include that in my original post that I wasnt sure if they're rescreened in Europe when arriving from Africa or elsewhere.

[slcrocket]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

If your well aware of what the system is you should be well aware of the airport announcements.

I can't find anything online specifically referencing them, but I think there should be lots of people on here that fly frequently that can back me up on this one.



Yup, since everyone is alright, I care way more about the inconvenience for people in Western airports with proper security that are suffering from the inevitable overreaction. How about work on security standards in the country this guy got a bomb through security in, instead of a country who to my knowledge has never let a bomb through security?

I worked at the Salt Lake City airport for a number of years, and it IS announced (I can't remember the frequency, but definitely once every half hour). And having worked in just about every department that the airlines can offer (except crew), I can say with reasonable certainty that it would be so ridiculously easy to smuggle weapons onto a plane that I am uncomfortable just thinking about it.