Terrorists Stealing Airline Uniforms and Credentials, Pilot Group Says

Detroit Free Press ^ | July 3, 2002 | DANIEL G. FRICKER

[Shermy]

Suspected terrorists have been breaking into flight crews' hotel rooms in the United States and elsewhere with increasing frequency during the last year and stealing crew uniforms, credentials and passports, a key security official said Wednesday.

The break-ins have become such a problem that the Air Lines Pilots Association, which represents 66,000 commercial pilots, is holding daily discussions with FBI counter-terrorism experts, said Capt. Steve Luckey, chairman of ALPA's national security committee and a retired Northwest Airlines pilot.

[MinuteGal]

Sounds like fingerprinting time is ahead for captains and crews.

Leni

[meenie]

Thank God the crews aren't armed or we would have them outfitting themselves. Ane we thought Mineta was stupid for not letting the pilots arm themselves.

[BrooklynGOP]

You're kidding, right?

[muawiyah]

Years and years ago we knew an Air Force One pilot who used to size up someone who seemed to be the same size, then, using his authority, he'd simply steal the guy's luggage before it ever got to the baggage return.

We didn't believe his wife, of course, but when she and he filed for divorce, his property claim included nearly 50 suitcases he had in his attic.

I suspect this guy is still at work (somewhere about 50 years of age). He may have a friend, but whatever, he's after your shorts!

This is not a joke.

[cgbg]

thank God the crews aren't armed

And we all feel comfortable knowing that Swedish grandmothers cannot take knitting needles on board.

If I want to gamble I will go to the casino. Flying just isn't as much fun. :-(

[EarlyBird]

No problem. The screeners are now sniffing the pilots' breaths. No way imposters will get through now.

[mhking]

Yep, the ones with camel breath'll get turned in.

[timestax]

W.T.F. is going on!!

[Shermy]

this is what you were looking for.

[Cachelot]

Suspected terrorists have been breaking into flight crews' hotel rooms in the United States and elsewhere with increasing frequency during the last year and stealing crew uniforms, credentials and passports, a key security

``They could be used as a model to manufacture a series of uniforms so they could outfit a crew or they could steal enough of them to outfit a crew,'' Luckey said

Is it just me, or does it sound like they may already have enough goods to outfit a small airline?

[EarlyBird]

Yep, the ones with camel breath'll get turned in.

Should be smelling their armpits...

[moteineye]

On Sept.11 4 airplanes went down and the terrorists didn't have any guns.

[mombonn]

Hal Myers, first officer of a Northwest Airbus based at Metro, said flight crews already were vigilant.

May they continue to be vigilant, Dearborn is a mere hop and a skip away.

[Uncle George]

I favor scanning their eyes. No way to beat that system.

[LikeLight]

Sherm, here's the actual warning statement from the Air Lines Pilot Association website:

This is a NWA MEC Hotline recorded at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2002.

This Hotline contains information about a security alert and a MEM Local Council meeting July 8.

SECURITY ALERT (7/02/02)
Some flight crews from other airlines have reported being the subjects of obvious surveillance by Mid-Eastern looking males and females. This activity was reported in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London. The surveillance was reported as having taken place in layover hotels and other locations where crews congregate, for example, restaurants and pubs. The persons conducting the surveillance seem to pay special attention to aircrew luggage and conversations. Please be alert to the possibility that you may be the target of a surveillance operation. Report any similar events, including specific information if available, to the NWA Security Department and ALPA.

[Will_Zurmacht]

"In a related story, Two pilots aroused suspicion for some time today when they arrived for work stone cold sober, yet completely nude....Chip, how about that holiday weather?"
"Well, Linda...."

[irv]

I favor scanning their eyes. No way to beat that system.

Um ... that's not quite right. I recently read an article (sorry. Can't remember the source. Infosec News??) about some tests on various biometric ID systems. The retinal scanner was beaten by holding up a picture of an authorized eye, with a hole cut in the middle for someone to look through and thereby activate the scanner.

Really.

Nothing beats having real, highly trained security people who are on the ball.

Too bad we don't have anything like that.

[lawdog]

ROTFLMAO !

[timestax]

bttt