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. |
With one exception, every time I've flown since 9/11, I've been pulled aside, and my backpack searched. I always have a change of clothes on board with me in case my luggage gets lost. I've learned to put my underwear in a clear plastic baggie.
It's obvious that there's no racial profiling involved, unless there's been a rash of 50-something, fat women attempting to hijack planes that I haven't heard about, that would peg me as suspect. ;o)
You shouldn't post these. You'll have a lot of our men
emigrating to the Phillipines.
Yeah, those doctor blogs sure make up stuff all the time.
Perhaps you are not familiar with various state concealed carry laws here in America. Americans who are serious about gun ownership and will go through the effort to get the carry permit (background check required) is a law abiding citizen. Those folks also take the responsibility of gun ownership seriously. Those are exactly the people who should be allowed to be armed on an airplane, in addition to the air marshalls.
Ping to your "area of interest". Also ping to post # 77.
Is Dr. Bob a psychiatrist?
Admittedly, I only have a vague understanding of concealed gun laws in the US, but I was worried more about the risk of accidents and misjudgments--not trigger happiness--because even the most thoughtful, law-abiding person in the world can be somewhat incapacitated by, say, air sickness or what-have-you. Misjudgments happen, and I, personally, am doubtful about the general flight safety versus terrorism pay-off.
Here's a random thought, though--if an air marshall is called to spring into action on a flight, how do they usually make sure they're not mistaken for terrorists themselves? I, at least, would flip out and throw my stinky blanket into the face of anyone brandishing a gun on my plane.
Im familiar with Michelle Malkins work, I just didnt recognize her.
I've pretty sure I've heard this story before on FR (rings a bell because of the phrase in bold) but for the life of me I can't recall if the source was good or not... it should be under keywords "isolatedincidents" and "airportsecurity" and "airline security" if it's still here.
Again, if someone takes their gun ownership seriously enough to get a carry permit, and they are incapacitated by anything, they are not going to pull out their gun. I am talking about allowing permit holders to carry on the airplane, not just anyone. Different mind set entirely.
Here's a random thought, though--if an air Marshall is called to spring into action on a flight, how do they usually make sure they're not mistaken for terrorists themselves? I, at least, would flip out and throw my stinky blanket into the face of anyone brandishing a gun on my plane.
I am not an air marshall so I don't know their procedure. "Brandishing" a gun is probably their last resort. If an air marshall were to get out of their seat to deal with someone I doubt (but I don't know) the first thing they would do, before proceeding down the aisle, would be to pull out their gun. They might have their hand on the gun, but I doubt it would be exposed. I also doubt that air marshalls, physically, fit the standard ME profile.
Wonder if these Middle Eastern men slimmed over the Mexican border.
Criminal, not racial profiling is absolutely necessary. If it just so happens that most terrorists' acts are committed by male muslims 20-45 years old, then it should be difficult (read inconvenient) for them to travel on airplanes.
Welcome to FR.
5.56mm
Sheesh.
5.56mm
What about Ricki Lake? It isn't a stretch to think some may call her "Rick" for short.
Point taken and I stand corrected, thank you for your reminder.
I believe that what you are suggesting is not possible, as it would instantly undermine the procedures and 'order' that the airlines have in place.
If, while the plane was loading or taxiing you were to absolutely throw a screaming, shouting fit about the matter, you would be regarded as someone 'interfering with flight operations' and it would be considered a criminal matter. The plane would then return to the terminal, ALL passengers would be deplaned and rescreened, ALL baggage would be unloaded and thoroughly checked. You would have several hundred people absolutely furious with you because you have just caused them to miss their connecting flights and pickups at their destination, work responsibilities as well as their entire vacations in many cases, but that would be the least of your worries because you would be VERY roughly arrested and subjected to the maximum penalties possible. They would definitely want to make a very lasting and very public example of you.
This sort of question is best to work through in your mind prior to buying your ticket. If you don't want to fly with 'anyone' in particular, then it's best that you make use of the splendid American Superhighway System, where you have true freedom of association and you can provide for your own security.
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