AIRPORT-LUGGAGE BOMBSHELL

New York Post ^ | 9/29/01 | DAN MANGAN

[kattracks]

September 29, 2001 -- Just a small percentage of checked luggage on U.S. airlines is screened for explosives, industry insiders told The Post.

Even more shocking - only 132 airports out of more than 400 nationwide have explosive-detection machines.

And those machines are underused.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The best explosive detection machines in the world eat Alpo.

[Dataman]

I get the impression that the NYP doesn't want people to fly. This is nothing but panic-mania; Don't fly, don't take a train, don't drink the water, don't go to shopping malls, don't do anything but cower under the bed.

[Georgia_JimD]

Yeah, yeah... Life has risks... Get use to it...

[ppaul]

The best explosive detection machines in the world eat Alpo.

LOL! But a very true, common sense observation.
Here's confirmation: DOGS ARE LOW-TECH LYNCHPIN

[cgbg]

Dogs are our first line of defense. It is amazing how effective they are in keeping trespassers away from our property. :-)

A dog bump!

[gonzo]

Smokescreen, katt, there ain't no bombs! But there's a lot of citizens that won't fly, unless they can carry arms!

A side-effect of this terrorist attack might well-be that the Airlines go bankrupt, and that's OK! It's just business! They did it to themselves!

Until the Airlines and the Government admit that the best security on Airlines is armed Pilots and passengers, we'll forfeit our frequent-flyer miles, and drive!

I'll be damned if I'll climb on a plane, after they've taken MY penknife, and then tell me: "There might be an armed Air-Marshall on this flight!"

Here's a better scenario: " Welcome to Delta Flight number 2012, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Pilot speaking, Captain Buck Weatherall, with non-stop service to Orlando, Florida, International Airport!

I just want you to all know, that the entire flight-crew is armned with weapons to kill hi-jackers, and that many of our passengers are armed also.

Have a nice day, and don't eat the fish - it's never good....FRegards

[randalcousins]

"I get the impression that the NYP doesn't want people to fly. This is nothing but panic-mania; Don't fly, don't take a train, don't drink the water, don't go to shopping malls, don't do anything but cower under the bed. "

Agreed. Life has risks. The best way to fight terrorism is to let them disrupt our ordinary lives as little as possible while doing our best to kill them without sacrificing the liberties which make us better than the rest of the world.

If lives are lost because of not implementing some particularly intrusive security measure (and that's a big if), then so be it. They are a price worth paying for freedom. Or were the American founders wrong?

[Mary-Bayou]

"You give the airlines the leeway to do it their way with minimum standards, they'll pick the cheapest way every time," said Jeff Zack...

Ya know, that is becoming so evident! I thought that ALL luggage was scanned for weapons & bombs. And a couple of days ago it was revealed that many safety precautions which were to be implemented (1996) were not. The airlines gave huge contributions to Gore/Clinton instead. Not good.

[Dataman]

The airlines gave huge contributions to Gore/Clinton instead. Not good.

Read "BRIBES."

[oiljake]

WHEN AIRPORTS STOP HIRING NOT THE MOST EXPERENCED BUT WHO WILL WORK FOR THE LEAST LIKE THE PEOPLE COMING OFF WELFARE WHO COULD NOT GIVE A HOOT OR THE McDONALD REJECTS WHO CAN'T GET IT STRAIGT WHAT GOES ON A HAMBERGER. IT WILL NOT MATTER WHAT KIND OF MACHINERY WE GOT IN PLACE TO DETECT BOMBS OR ANY OTHER ITEMS PEOPLE TRY TO PASS THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY IF WE DON't have the people in place who actually aware of whats gone on around them

[OldFriend]

I don't know what in the world has infected the Post but we don't even bother to read it anymore. They supported John McCain big time and just can't seem to accept that we have the right man in the presidency. Much like the demonrats, they have no love for their country and now it seems, their city either. Seems the Daily News has a better handle on the city than the Post. Pretty sad.

[VMI70]

...The airlines gave huge contributions to Gore/Clinton instead...

If you look at the numbers, you will find that the Republicans on the relevant committees in congress received and accepted a like amount. Not defending Gore/Clinton, whom I cannot abide; just setting the record straight, and giving the full picture.

FReegards,

[ExiledInTaiwan]

My father trusted me with his semi-automatic before he trusted me with the family car.

I'd love to see the day we are stowing these under the seat as check-on. Nothing like five or six country boys, with a gleam in their eyes and a rifle at hand, to make for a safe flight. During WWII England had the "Homeguard" to protect their land and free up other troops, why not the same in the U.S.?

For you city folk - every one of my relatives grew up with many weapons at home, all my classmates the same, never once heard of anyone getting shot or shooting at a schoolground. Of course we grew up in the 50's, in a rural area with close families and perhaps 80-90% attendance at the local churches. A different time.

[ExiledInTaiwan]

I get the impression that the NYP doesn't want people to fly. This is nothing but panic-mania; Don't fly, don't take a train, don't drink the water, don't go to shopping malls, don't do anything but cower under the bed.

Ah, but the anti-war rally is safe!

[Elkiejg]

Why not put all those laid off airline people to work at airports. I would think they would be vigilent - after all, the quicker the airlines are safe, the quicker the public will return to flying.

[Teacher317]

It's nearly impossible to be able to detect ALL explosives. From plastiques to gunpowder to WD-40 (potato gun!) to ANFO... there's just too much to have to detect. Heck, one of the basic principles behind an FAE explosion is that airborn granules, in the right size and density, can become explosive, whether they are made up of gunpowder or corn.

I do like the major bumps the working dogs are getting on this thread, though. This one will be ready in a year or two! =^)

[meenie]

There is no reason that people shouldn't be supported in their own protection. Baggage x-rays should be a required inspection that individuals cannot handle themselves. Other functions should be done by the public.

Big brother is afraid of the democratic principle of trusting the people to do what is best for themselves. We are a long way down the road to tyranny.

[Izzy Dunne]

"You give the airlines the leeway to do it their way with minimum standards, they'll pick the cheapest way every time," said Jeff Zack, spokesman for the Association of Flight Attendants.

Of course! This is the way government regulations work!
When the governmet issued regulations on how many rodent hairs could legally be in a hot dog, the average rodent hair per hot dog WENT UP!

Why?

Everybody had a common standard which they could meet.
Some companies had to clean up.
Others felt they were authorized to be dirtier!

The same si true here.
If it were competitive, then UAL could advertise they had a marshall for every 40 passengers, AAL wants to have one for every 20! Or maybe Southwest advertises dogs on every flight!
If the public wants safety, they'll get it, if the market is allowed to work.

[Mary-Bayou]

I don't doubt what you say. It always seems to come around to the accountability factor. Money under/on top of the table = no accountability/look the other way.