Posted on 01/15/2005 3:34:16 AM PST by Stoat
A MYSTERY IN THE SKIES
By Michelle Malkin · January 14, 2005 10:58 PM
Physician blogger Dr. Bob says one of his patients, a federal air marshal, told him about a foiled hijacking involving boxcutters hidden in overhead luggage bins:
He and his partner were assigned to a flight (the airline, airport, and destination were not disclosed) in their customary undercover security role. They boarded the airplane early in order to meet the flight attendants, at which time the cleaning crew was still on the airplane -- somewhat longer than expected. My patient and his partner sat together in seats near the middle of coach class.
It's hard to imagine, in a post-9/11 world, that terrorists would attempt another attack with box cutters. Also, Dr. Bob's patient did not disclose specifics--airport, airline, destination, etc.--that would facilitate confirmation. If anyone can provide more information, drop me a line. Whether or not the story is true, it highlights at least two important policy questions: 1. What kind of security measures are being undertaken with regard to clean-up crews and other ground personnel with access to airplanes? 2. Why does FAMS director Tom Quinn continue to enforce idiotic pre-boarding policies that expose marshals' identities to observant passengers? Update: The idea that terrorist operatives might be trying to smuggle razor blades as weapons onto planes is not pure fantasy. Last April, Pakistani illegal alien Fazal Karim was convicted on charges of carrying and attempting to carry concealed dangerous weapons in air transportation and of making false statements about his immigration status. Security officials at Dallas/Ft. Worth airport found 32 double-edged razor blades tucked in a coiled belt inside a cardboard box in Fazal Karim's carry-on luggage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Schattman argued that Karim carried out a test run to aid terrorism. The Ft. Worth Star Telegram reported that security officers first noticed that Karim appeared to distance himself from his carry-on bag. After placing the bag on the conveyor belt leading to an X-ray machine, Karim did not walk through the adjacent magnetometer but selected one farther away. He offered FBI agents three different explanations for the blades, Schattman said. First, Karim said he used the blades to shave the bottom of his full beard. Then he said they were for a friend in Houston. Finally, he said he did not know the blades were in the bag. More: At a hearing in November, a federal agent testified that the names and phone numbers of the current directors of the civil aviation systems in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates were found in Karim's address book _ 10 years after he worked as a computer programmer for the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
In addition, I've found at least one other mention of a flight crew member discovering razor blades in blankets. Weird. Scary weird. Update II: Reader Eric makes some additional, on-target points... For me at least, there is another lesson in this story. |
Ya don't say.
Isn't she an ANGEL!I think The Libs call her"Atilla,The Honey"!!!
Excellent point, but I believe it's also important to consider one thing: Most Terrorists Are Not Very Smart. If indeed the events related in this story are true, then what we have uncovered is a nest of really, really stupid people who really, really hate America. Just because the plan is a bad one doesn't mean that it didn't exist as a plan :-)
That must be on days when they've taken their medications. I've also seen incredibly racist slurs written about her by people who most likely would never consider saying a racist word about anyone....providing they're on the Left, of course.
I agree though that she represents the pinnacle of Womankind, and deserves our respect and adoration. Too bad she's happily married
"sigh"
They make these guys look like rocket scientists...
" It's not "racial profiling," it's "criminal profiling."
Very well said!
What about Ricki Lake? It isn't a stretch to think some may call her "Rick" for short.
Just read your link....wow, scary shi*.
How do you know? A doctor, or anyone in a profession that requires confidentiality, can hardly say something like this giving names, including his own, which, by association, could give clues as to the identities of the individuals involved. Yet, it is some of these very professions where their is a great deal of stress and a need to vent in a safe venue. Seems to me that the internet, discreetly used, can provide just such an outlet.
Good point. Also it makes it hard to keep an eye on other parts of the cabin.
I also recall reading the the marshalls have a dress code.
Yes when I have been selected for more screening...I talk to them while they search my bag, expecting them to tell me to keep quiet..but no. They turn around and speak to me the whole search..they never see what they are doing.
We need to take a page from the way Israelis handle terrorist incidents...they take what security measures they can and get on with their lives.
.
I have a series (and hugh) question.
If I am on a plane, getting ready to pull out, and someone boards that makes me feel uncomfortable, would I be able to leave the plane and transfer to another flight? I mean, without losing my money and having to pay for another ticket?
We need to be killing a lot more terrorists in the ME, in my opinion. I'm concerned that our efforts may have stalled out.
Creative Name! How in the world did you think of that one?
There is no better friend than a dog! IMHO, Buddy was the only one that gave Bill Clinton unconditional love and I often wonder if it was Hillary behind the wheel of the car that ended the earthly demise of dear Buddy.
I was a charter member of AOL back when it was a Mac site. I was Pageone. I went offline, and when i signed up again, It was gone, so I us ...too
"uhhhhh.sorry, it looks like to me that this story again illustrates the failure of the TSA."
Hmm...I had a friend who workED for TSA, and she never mentioned to me that they screened the cleaning crews...are you sure this is a TSA failure??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.