More US travellers packing heat

[TomVexille]

Do these people really think that they're going to sneak guns through security? Or do they legitimately forget?

The federal Transportation Security Administration caught more people in 2014 trying to slip firearms, knives, grenades, and even swords through security screening checkpoints than in any year in the last decade, according to agency statistics.
As of December 25, TSA agents had retrieved 2164 guns from carry-ons, purses, and coat pockets - a nearly 20 per cent increase over last year. In fact, the number of weapons agents have seized has increased every year since 2007.

More US travellers packing heat, says TSA | Stuff.co.nz

 

[trentusjuventus]

I've been following the TSA Instagram account of late, where they post examples of weapons (often loaded) found in carry on bags at airports, makes for some entertaining reading!

@TSA is the handle I believe

 

[cove]

Always act politely in America for this reason. You just don't know who is armed.

 

[Himeno]

I'd like to know how many of these are real and not just "created" by TSA.

 

[harvyk]

I'd like to know how many of these are real and not just "created" by TSA.

I suspect they are all real. Unlike here, over there it's no big deal to carry a gun all the time, so it wouldn't surprise me if there was at least a few ppl who didn't know a gun couldn't go on a plane. I also suspect there may be at least a few cases where the person had forgotten they where carrying a gun / it didn't click that they where carrying a gun since getting the gun before leaving home is as matter of course as picking up the keys and wallet.

 

[opusman]

And how many get through? Or do we really believe the TSA has a 100% success rate?

 

[harvyk]

And how many get through? Or do we really believe the TSA has a 100% success rate?

It wouldn't surprise me if there was at least 1 gun flying in the US per day.

 

[clazman]

It wouldn't surprise me if there was at least 1 gun flying in the US per day.

One of the benefits of paying minimum wage to security

 

[defurax]

And how many get through? Or do we really believe the TSA has a 100% success rate?

I think the image analysis software on the x-ray scanner will detect firearms even if the operator is asleep...

 

[NFF]

The race is on.
Customs officers to be armed at Australian airports as immigration crackdown begins on crime gangs, people smugglers and welfare cheats | Daily Mail Online

 

[opusman]

The race is on.
Customs officers to be armed at Australian airports as immigration crackdown begins on crime gangs, people smugglers and welfare cheats | Daily Mail Online

Gotta start building the fear level in the lead up to the next election...

 

[DynastyWarrior]

A grenade?! Wow, stupidity has no bounds.

 

[TomVexille]

A grenade?! Wow, stupidity has no bounds.

I have an old school teacher who used to fly commercial and had a couple of young guys bring a (inert) grenade onboard her aircraft and we're playing catch with it. That would have been over 20 years ago, but still stupid.

 

[DynastyWarrior]

I have an old school teacher who used to fly commercial and had a couple of young guys bring a (inert) grenade onboard her aircraft and we're playing catch with it. That would have been over 20 years ago, but still stupid.

20 years ago you'd probably get a slap on the wrist for that. Now you might never see day light again :O thanks a lot Bin Laden.
(Hangover reference)

 

[Himeno]

20 years ago you'd probably get a slap on the wrist for that. Now you might never see day light again :O thanks a lot Bin Laden.
(Hangover reference)

Bin Laden isn't to blame for that. The west's reaction to Bin Laden is to blame.

 

[aaflyer]

Always act politely in America for this reason. You just don't know who is armed.

I once commented to a colleague when driving around Los Angeles (he's Australian) that i'm shocked that no one uses indicators and i'd be going mad flashing my lights and tooting my horn at people for being dangerous and cutting me off. His response "It's America. Everyone has a gun. I wouldn't be doing it".

Ever since then, i've driven and just sworn out loud in the car.

 

[NFF]

TSA to Require Secured Identification to Board Flights in 2016 - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

 

[Himeno]

TSA to Require Secured Identification to Board Flights in 2016 - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

That's been pushed back a number of times. Most states refuse to do it.

 

[Quickstatus]

TSA to Require Secured Identification to Board Flights in 2016 - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

at US airport security when they look at my passport they shine a UV light on it to reveal certain icons on the page. This is the only way they check the authenticity. No integration with any database. Difficult to get a fake one in?

 

[harvyk]

at US airport security when they look at my passport they shine a UV light on it to reveal certain icons on the page. This is the only way they check the authenticity. No integration with any database. Difficult to get a fake one in?

Difficult? Yes very difficult...
Impossible? For the right money, no...

Passports are actually very secure documents. There is a lot of anti tamper measures which goes into them, as such it takes a very skills person to do so and get away with it. There are also tell tail signs which such inspectors would be told to look for.

Furthermore in the US, you have already been verified by things such as Visa's or ESTA's, and your name / passport details have already been sent through long before you even get near a plane. Does this mean that you can't pass your passport over to someone who looks like you (eg a twin sibling)? Not at all, but tampering with your passport to get a complete stranger through would be almost impossible for the average joe. (this obviously excludes organized crime who both have the resources and the desire)