Worker placed suspicious device on SEPTA tracks

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Posted on Mon, May. 24, 2004 | By Jere Downs

[grjr21]

Worker placed suspicious device on SEPTA tracks

By Jere Downs

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

A suspicious electronic device found alongside SEPTA train tracks in West Philadelphia earlier this month was placed there by a night employee to alert himself when someone approached, the agency said today.

The employee, concerned about the FBI's investigation of a possible terrorist link, approached FBI officials and confessed, SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said.

SEPTA suspects that the longtime employee placed the device there to let himself know when his supervisor was nearby, said James B. Jordan, assistant general manager for safety and security at SEPTA.

"It was an incredibly stupid thing to do," Jordan said.

A SEPTA conductor found the black remote transmitter - about the size of a baseball - on May 5. The agency's police turned it over to the FBI on May 12.

Officials did not identify the worker. The FBI and Philadelphia police are investigating whether the employee committed a criminal offense.

"It does appear to be a case of employee misconduct rather than a case of terroristic activity," Jordan said.

[Poohbah]

SEPTA suspects that the longtime employee placed the device there to let himself know when his supervisor was nearby

You can't make this s**t up!

[JimSEA]

And I thought that the guys I bossed were good at hiding out. Gone high tech. However, this has the ring of truth.

[Dog]

I bet he was sleeping on the job..

[johnfrink]

I always laugh when I see that some people will spend more time covering up the fact that they are not working than they would spend actually doing the work.

[livius]

Ooops!

[muawiyah]

I've had bosses like that where you really would want an alarm to go off if they were near.

[Cooter]

Original story here: Wireless transmitters found hidden under Philadelphia railroad tracks

[Calpernia]

..

[chadwimc]

I like it! As a "shift work" employee, there are times when you are more dangerous awake than asleep. I have in the past, used my lunch time for a nap. Pillow, blankie, and alarm clock. If I didn't set the alarm, I know I would sleep through the shift. The only trouble with my job is if "they" call I have to go. Lunch time or not.

[brityank]

A suspicious electronic device found alongside SEPTA train tracks in West Philadelphia earlier this month was placed there by a night employee to alert himself when someone approached, the agency said today.

Ha! Who'da thunk it?

[Revel]

Actually I thought maybe it was put there by someone who rode the train a lot and did not want to miss it...Something like this was not necessarily criminal.

[Temple Owl]

ping

[Tribune7]

OK, this really should have been our first guess. A SEPTA union guy trying to avoid work.

Why would any business want to move to Philly?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

If Slackers have their own country, he must be their king. The Babe Ruth of slackers, instant induction into the Slacker Hall of Fame!