Further Security Measures for Flights to USA

[2muchplastic]

"It's a fool's errand to try to make the aviation system terrorist-proof. The only way to do that is ground the airplanes"

Kip Hawley, former Director of the TSA, quoted in the New York Times, 29/12/2009.

That is a very sad but true statement. If the terrorists are determined enough, they will succeed. No amount of measures by the likes of the TSA will ever manage to stop every threat.

As the statement given by the IRA after the Brighton bombing stated: "....but remember we only have to be lucky once. You will have to be lucky always."

 

[codash1099]

"It's a fool's errand to try to make the aviation system terrorist-proof. The only way to do that is ground the airplanes"

Kip Hawley, former Director of the TSA, quoted in the New York Times, 29/12/2009.

So I wonder how they explain their over-reaction in this case?

Fortunately they woke up to the more stupid parts fairly quickly, but I'm guessing that was the result of an outcry from the frequent travellers.

 

[straitman]

So I wonder how they explain their over-reaction in this case?

Fortunately they woke up to the more stupid parts fairly quickly, but I'm guessing that was the result of an outcry from the frequent travellers.

.... and the airlines :!:

 

[NYCguy]

President Obama has cited what he describes as a "systemic failure" in the intelligence review system that allowed the apparent would-be bomber onto the aircraft in the first place. Really Barack? You think?

Anyhoo, seems that the "intelligence" system is about to get a large, hot enema, which has to be a good thing. Heads should certainly roll on this one, it's a total fiasco that this clown was given a visa at all, let alone a multi-entry visa! (The alleged bomber, I mean, not the President. Although you could make the argument...) This is particularly worrisome considering that the Brits had been onto him for some time!

 

[codash1099]

Anyhoo, seems that the "intelligence" system is about to get a large, hot enema, which has to be a good thing. Heads should certainly roll on this one, it's a total fiasco that this clown was given a visa at all, let alone a multi-entry visa! (The alleged bomber, I mean, not the President. Although you could make the argument...) This is particularly worrisome considering that the Brits had been onto him for some time!

You would think that by now there would have been some information exchange on visa refusals on security grounds.

If indeed this did happen and was ignored by the US authorities, then it is even more damning.

 

[NYCguy]

An interesting observation from the article cited above is that the suspect studied mechanical engineering at University College London. This is not a brain-dead chav from a council estate that we're dealing with here.

 

[serfty]

His "2 Year" USA Visa was obtained in May.

 

[codash1099]

His "2 Year" USA Visa was obtained in May.

and the British knocked him back in May. Regardless of which came first, it was open to Homeland Security to find out about it in the ensuing months and cancel his visa.

FAIL!

 

[NYCguy]

and the British knocked him back in May. Regardless of which came first, it was open to Homeland Security to find out about it in the ensuing months and cancel his visa.

FAIL!

Oh, you bet! In fact, one could say that there were...

 

[serfty]

and the British knocked him back in May. Regardless of which came first, it was open to Homeland Security to find out about it in the ensuing months and cancel his visa.

FAIL!

I believe he obtained the USA visa while in the UK.

 

[thewinchester]

Speaking of the TSA security directives arising from the failed 'fruit of the boom' bomber, just posted this story to the travel news thread that the TSA has issued a subpoena to a journalist who received and published the directive in full.

 

[codash1099]

Speaking of the TSA security directives arising from the failed 'fruit of the boom' bomber, just posted this story to the travel news thread that the TSA has issued a subpoena to a journalist who received and published the directive in full.

Typical. Now we get to the hunt for the scapegoats.

 

[drron]

This incident is going to cause some painful debate in the USA.Many US news sources are reporting that ex Gitmo detainees are amongst the Al Quaeda leaders in Yemen who sent this fellow on his way-
Northwest Flight 253: al Qaeda Leader Behind Terror Plot Was Released by U.S. - ABC News
This had in fact been reported at the beginning of 2009-
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/world/middleeast/23yemen.html?_r=1
Note these fellows were released by Dubya but it is going to make it much more difficult to release the last lot of gitmo detainees as about half are Yemeni's.
One slight positive is the UK visa he was denied in May was a student visa and it was denied because his proposed school was not accredited for student visas-it had nothing to do with any terrorist connections.
The conspiracy theories are going to be quite prolific in LOTFAP i imagine

 

[Dave Noble]

Typical. Now we get to the hunt for the scapegoats.

If confidential material was leaked, then it is quite appropriate to try and identify the person who did so

Dave

 

[codash1099]

If confidential material was leaked, then it is quite appropriate to try and identify the person who did so

Dave

How can it be confidential if it was circulated to the airlines?

The latest I read is that the investigations, at least in one case, are not proceeding.

 

[Flashback]

Further information here:
Slashdot News Story | TSA Subpoenas Bloggers Over New Security Directive

 

[Blackadder]

How can it be confidential if it was circulated to the airlines?

The latest I read is that the investigations, at least in one case, are not proceeding.

Industrial information is more often that not intended to be confidential for use within the industry only, not for Joe Q Public.