wonder where he had the knife when he went through security?
Firearms at the Checkpoint
Terminal Madness
Between August 3 and 5, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) found 12 firearms at checkpoints around the U.S., including:
This is not out of the ordinary. Transportation Security Officers find firearms in carry-on bags virtually every day. In 2006, some 820 firearms were intercepted at U.S. checkpoints.
- a 9 mm firearm loaded with 15 rounds
- a .25 caliber firearm loaded with eight rounds
- a 9 mm semiautomatic firearm loaded with 10 rounds
- a .40 caliber semiautomatic firearm loaded with nine rounds
- a .25 caliber semiautomatic firearm and a magazine loaded with five rounds.
What do people say when faced with the fact that there's a gun in their bag? "I forgot it was there" is the story most often heard by TSOs and law enforcement officers. A few even blame someone else: "My wife/husband must have left it in my bag."
Whether or not the gun was put in the bag intentionally, TSOs are required to contact law enforcement immediately. In addition to potentially missing their flight, passengers could have their gun confiscated and/or face criminal charges. A fine from TSA is also possible.
TSA Travel Tip: Look through your bag before going to the airport to make sure you do not have a gun or other prohibited item.
When I'm in uniform I never have to take off my boots going through the detectors so if I set them off I tell them its the "steel" in my boots But if I were going to carry on a plane it would probably only be a polymer knife tucked on my ankle with a 2" boot blouser.... IF i were to carry on a plane...
9/11 hi-jackers had blades smaller than 3 inches. Of course they tried to conceal they were BGs so doubt some dude with a folding knife is a BG just not aware he's gotten away with something.
But it was a USAir passenger that spotted a nervous looking USAir employee who had smuggled their roomate's handgun past security so the roomate could take it to phoenix. The plane had already pushed. TSA got the plane back to the gate and offloaded everyone. Rescreening of the roomates current carry-on revealed the handgun. The observant passenger also the employee and roomate exchange luggage after passing security.
The thing that peaks your interest at the airport just might be preventing the next 9-11. These guys do not and will not give up. Please be observant and speak up.
At the airport, the procedure was strange to her. There was no search of her or her luggage, she didn't need fingerprints or retina pics to prove who she was and they had a procedure for weapons safety. She'd forgotten she was wearing her sidearm, as she now wore it out of habit.
"Please clear your weapon, Ms Pacelli," an attendant asked. She blushed and complied, stuffing the magazine and spare round into her pouch. "We'd prefer that you store it in your pouch and in the underseat stowage. You'll still be able to reach it quickly in an emergency, but it eliminates the chance of an accident."
She nodded in response. It made sense. Given the obsession with personal freedom here coupled with the need to avoid accidents, it made sense. A historical scan she'd done the week before indicated there'd never been a successful act of piracy, questionable commandeering or hijacking aboard any Freehold aircraft, transport or registered vessel. Ever. She couldn't conceive of any UN nation ever considering allowing personal weapons, however. It was an alien concept.
You made Last Fallen Hero by Charlie Daniels Band run through my head.The one flight that failed of its objective on 9/11/01 was the one where the passengers fought back.
they made me take mine off in atlanta when i was coming back from r&r. and then i was taken to the side and hand patted. ridiculous.
yea, i was shocked. my boots have the steel shank and that was what was tripping the metal detector, but they wouldnt take my word for it. so i took them off and was subjected to "damn that boy got skinny ankles" from a female tso as she snickered to her friend. i should have sued. they said the pat down was sop after someone trips the metal detector.seriously???!!! ATL is always full of military personnel and when I've been there I've never seen anyone get this treatment!