Outrageous!

[Andrea]

The following posting is by a member of flyertalk, from the Travel Safety/Security forum. The number of per day passengers is an estimate provided in a posting by an employee of TSA.

"Even if all 2 million passengers alarmed, and using the (faux) stat above of 99.99% resolved towards the passenger's benefit, why should those 1,999,800 people (99.99%) be inconvenienced for the 200 people (0.01%) that may have something that is "banned" from the secure side?

And, admittedly guessing, I would guess a large majority of the 'guilty' are for questionable items (too much water, nailclippers w/ a file attached, every day pocket knife). Another fair percentage for reasonable items that were inadvertantly brought. Leaving only 1 or 2 that may have brought something with ill intent. (And I have to question the 1 or 2 as we would be hearing about it more often if that were the case.)

So the TSA chooses, in my opinion, to waste a lot of time, energy, and money searching all 2,000,000 passengers daily (initially intended to be screened the same) to more than a typical administrative search (WTMD and x-ray carryons) for a less than 0.01% chance that that passenger is actually "The 1".

As well, I know several have seen the estimate that the odds of being killed by a terrorist flying to, from, or within the US on an airplane is roughly 1 in 10,000,000. Extrapolating out, and using a 100 passenger per plane average, roughly means that once every 500 days that "The 1" passenger has the true ill intent. One passenger out of 100 million passengers - I have a better chance to win the lottery."

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Andrea

[Glenn]

If you want to leave the country, you can go to Cuba or Mexico by BOAT and from there fly.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by popcorninthesofa

If you want to leave the country, you can go to Cuba or Mexico by BOAT and from there fly.

Not following your suggestion here. I am able to leave the country in any number of ways.....

I don't wish to misinterpret your comment but it seems as if you are suggesting I/we are unAmerican to question TSA and should go live somewhere else. Please clarify.

Thank you

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Andrea

The following posting is by a member of flyertalk, from the Travel Safety/Security forum. The number of per day passengers is an estimate provided in a posting by an employee of TSA.

"Even if all 2 million passengers alarmed, and using the (faux) stat above of 99.99% resolved towards the passenger's benefit, why should those 1,999,800 people (99.99%) be inconvenienced for the 200 people (0.01%) that may have something that is "banned" from the secure side?

And, admittedly guessing, I would guess a large majority of the 'guilty' are for questionable items (too much water, nailclippers w/ a file attached, every day pocket knife). Another fair percentage for reasonable items that were inadvertantly brought. Leaving only 1 or 2 that may have brought something with ill intent. (And I have to question the 1 or 2 as we would be hearing about it more often if that were the case.)

So the TSA chooses, in my opinion, to waste a lot of time, energy, and money searching all 2,000,000 passengers daily (initially intended to be screened the same) to more than a typical administrative search (WTMD and x-ray carryons) for a less than 0.01% chance that that passenger is actually "The 1".

As well, I know several have seen the estimate that the odds of being killed by a terrorist flying to, from, or within the US on an airplane is roughly 1 in 10,000,000. Extrapolating out, and using a 100 passenger per plane average, roughly means that once every 500 days that "The 1" passenger has the true ill intent. One passenger out of 100 million passengers - I have a better chance to win the lottery."

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Andrea

I can totally get behind the math of it. Following the same reasoning, I don't play the lottery.

But there is a much more complex overlay on it all. Public perception--and "enemy perception," if you wiil, impact of an incident on the psychology of the nation, the economy, and so on. The picture is, I think, larger than weighing probabilities.

[Linus]

Then again, we get the joys of the following: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/boardi...ry?id=13963831

The arrested foreign national who allegedly flew from New York to Los Angeles last week with a stolen boarding pass and ID card is a self-proclaimed "storyteller, strategist and designer who is passionate about reaching the world for Jesus," according to one of the many websites with which he is affiliated.

Olajide Oluwaseun Noibi, 24, a Nigerian-born man who was found with the stolen ID and up to 10 old boarding passes containing various names, was arrested Wednesday after attempting to board a flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta; five days after passing through layers of airport security at New York's JFK airport to board a plane with a day-old boarding pass, federal authorities said.

Also known as Seun Noibi, the man claims to have an office on Chicago's southwest side and to be a frequent air traveler in comments that are posted under his various identities. He also says he is affiliated with the University of Michigan.

In one post on a social media website, Noibi comments about his plans to travel and his commitment to God.

"3 days, 3 cities, Chicago, Detroit and NOw i can spy with my little eye New york city from this Sheraton at Liberty Int'l Airport in NJ," he said. "When i told God to use me i didn't know he'll take me serious. Here I am. Use more of me. Meetings right into my birthday on sunday and then back in las gidi...for the Diko and Friends in Concert and Album Launch. It can only be God."

Noibi is also reportedly the founder of the "Unleash Abel Institute," said to be located in Chicago. The organization claims to have been "introducing students (8-12th graders and college bound) to professional careers in business, technology, and the sciences."

He also is listed as a principal executive of Unleash Media Inc. and Unleash 9JA, described as "a movement of independent thinkers, artist, musicians and filmmakers propagating the african experience," according to one website.

Noibi was charged with being a stowaway aboard an aircraft, according to FBI Special Agent Kevin R. Hogg. He is being held at a Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center and is expected to be in court Friday.

Noibi allegedly managed to get through every layer of security with a fake ID and numerous boarding passes, at least one of which came from another passenger's pocket, ABC News has learned.

The arrest came after Noibi allegedly boarded a plane Saturday under similar circumstances at JFK and travel to Los Angeles. Noibi boarded Virgin America flight 415 at JFK bound for L.A., according to an FBI affidavit.

He was found on the plane after it had taken off and was in flight, in a seat in the aircraft's "main cabin select" area. When asked for his boarding pass, Noibi produced a boarding pass and ticket for a Friday flight that was not in his name, authorities said.

On that pass was the name of a man with the initials M.D. After tracking down and interviewing him, the FBI learned that M.D. had lost his home-printed boarding pass from his back pocket, which had been folded into fourths, once he arrived at JFK via subway Friday, officials said. Once he discovered it missing, he obtained a new boarding pass from a ticket kiosk and boarded flight 413.

On flight 415 Saturday -- the day after M.D.'s flight had already taken off -- a similarly folded home-printed boarding pass with M.D.'s name on it was found on Noibi, officials said.

It is unclear how Noibi managed to get through security at both airports, and whether he left the L.A. airport once flight 415 landed last week and when he attempted to board Delta Airlines flight 46 to Atlanta Wednesday, although he claims to have cleared security.

"Noibi … said that he spent the night of June 28, 2011 at LAX Gate 51B, which I know is in the secure portion of the airport," agent Hogg said in the affidavit. "Noibi claimed he was able to go through passenger screening by obtaining a seat pass and displaying his University of Michigan identification and a police report that his passport had been stolen."

Hogg was at the Los Angeles airport with tactical Flight Officer Edward Becerril Wednesday when Noibi approach a Delta Airlines departure gate counter, according to the affidavit. Becerril overheard Noibi respond that he had missed his flight the day before, and that "they" told him he could just go to the gate, according to the affidavit. The Delta agent told Noibi "no" twice, and Noibi kept trying to hand her the boarding pass.

Hogg and Becerril then approached Noibi and said that when they searched his bags, they found more than 10 boarding passes in various individual's names.

The Transportation Security Administration said it "cannot comment on the specifics of the case given the ongoing FBI investigation."

Generally speaking, though, the TSA said in its statement, "Every passenger that passes through security checkpoints is subject to many layers of security including thorough physical screening at the checkpoint. TSA's review of this matter indicates that the passenger went through screening.

"It is important to note that this passenger was subject to the same physical screening at the checkpoint as other passengers."

A spokesman for Virgin America said the airline doesn't comment on security issues.

It is unclear why Noibi was arrested Wednesday and not when he was discovered last week as a stowaway on Flight 415.

I travel a lot and generally have no problem with the security checks. However, if it's going to be done, let's be thorough about this. Valid ID is required. If the name on one doesn't match the one on the other, then it shouldn't be allowed.

To me, even if he was checked physically, it won't matter if they can't do a basic ID check properly. So while I understand checking someone's diaper to be thorough, it'd make sense if they were truly doing a good job. The fact that a lot of the TSA screeners aren't adequately trained and underpaid doesn't help.

[tapu]

I read that story about the guy getting all the way on a plane without a boarding pass or ID, and I thought, Meanwhile, I was behind security throwing away my hair gel....

[Andrea]

Linus (and anyone else that cares to jump in):

I agree with what you are saying about if TSA is assigned the job, they should be able to do the job. This situation indicates failure by several parties.

All that aside, do you feel it is important or helpful to show ID at the TSA security points? What is the purpose for doing so? It is the airlines that are tasked with comparing your name to the no-fly list, and you are not actually 'required' to show ID to the TSA if you don't have one (although I don't know how one would prove you don't have something).

Thank you for your input.

Andrea

[Andrea]

More food for thought in this Forbes article: http://blogs.forbes.com/artcarden/2011/06/30/time-to-close-the-security-theater/

[Dominique]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Linus (and anyone else that cares to jump in):

I agree with what you are saying about if TSA is assigned the job, they should be able to do the job. This situation indicates failure by several parties.

All that aside, do you feel it is important or helpful to show ID at the TSA security points? What is the purpose for doing so? It is the airlines that are tasked with comparing your name to the no-fly list, and you are not actually 'required' to show ID to the TSA if you don't have one (although I don't know how one would prove you don't have something).

Thank you for your input.

Andrea

Hi Andrea. You have done a very good job pointing out several key issues about travel and security. I've enjoyed reading your posts. Everyones for that matter.

It is *MY* opinion, that TSA is a very expensive SHILL, and not much more. As has been suggested several times, they are weak.

Airlines and airports do have *REAL* security. Trust me. However, it is not talked about. It can't be. Terrorists are too smart. Then there is always the copycat and the wanna be, which quite frankily, that is what TSA is there to DETER.
They have to look like they are doing something. I didn't read your link yet, but will. I'm trying to get my ass out the door. I just wanted to stress the point. The real security is in place, and it's not discussed for obvious reasons.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Yellow band

Hi Andrea. You have done a very good job pointing out several key issues about travel and security. I've enjoyed reading your posts. Everyones for that matter.

It is *MY* opinion, that TSA is a very expensive SHILL, and not much more. As has been suggested several times, they are weak.

Airlines and airports do have *REAL* security. Trust me. However, it is not talked about. It can't be. Terrorists are too smart. Then there is always the copycat and the wanna be, which quite frankily, that is what TSA is there to DETER.
They have to look like they are doing something. I didn't read your link yet, but will. I'm trying to get my ass out the door. I just wanted to stress the point. The real security is in place, and it's not discussed for obvious reasons.

So, YB, is the real purpose of TSA to distract from the security that is in place so terrorists are surprised?

Andrea