I have to wonder which custom knifemaker is sketching a pair of rapidly disjoined scissors with some manner of thumb loop for use as a push dagger. This is a arms race in reverse to see how stupid and ironically clever we can all become abusing each other.

Main factor in the 9/11 successful action of terrorists was that people on board of the planes (except PA flight) let themselves to be slaughtered. They assuemed that planes will land somewhere with terrorist making demands. Now nobody will assume that. People will stand up.

Agreed. Pre 9/11, airlines taught (and for the most part still do) flight crews to comply with the highjackers so that the "authorities" can deal with them once they're on the ground. Although the FBI had informed the airlines in the 1990's that terrorists might try to highjack a plane and use it in a kamikazi attack, the airlines didn't change their training or even let the crews in on this tidbit.

Not Flying Commercial,

Jim

I think it was a rather poorly written (or poorly edited) article. Those two quotes from Slepian and Caldwell were pretty over the top, but I think it would have helped to know the context of those single sentences the reporter quoted. I've read some of Slepian's stuff on his Foreseeable Risk Analysis Center (FRAC) website and he seems a level headed security professional. Caldwell...well, she has a constituency to represent, but the "blood in the aisles" quote was pretty wild. Again, I'd like to know in what context were these people making these statements?

Actually, two points that both these people have raised in the past are certainly valid. Slepian long warned about the vulnerability of airplanes through the "ramp" side of the airport. I see airport ground staff go through security every once in a while, but do ALL of them go through security currently? I hope so, but I doubt it. Maybe I only see them go through security when they get lunch at McDonald's in the passenger terminal?

A point that Caldwell brought up in the past was the danger of commercial cargo. Billions of pounds of commerical cargo are loaded alongside passenger luggage with no screening at all. That was a couple years ago when she said it, but don't know if that situation has changed any at all.

But still, statistically, air travel is still the safest way to go. Can't say the same for my checked luggage, but that's another day's discussion. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think the whole bloody thing is just a big illusion.

I flew back to work monday with a Cold Steel SRK, three lighters (two were Zippos, one was a refillable butane), a large metal cased flashlight, and three ziplocs full of various unlabeled over the counter pills in them in a unlocked checked bag. When I got to my destination, I found the usual TSA note in the bag, and all my stuff was still there.

But my real point is that everyone in the security chain is human and capable of being compromised. It happens all the time elsewhere, why would we think it is any different with the airlines. People can be bought, extorted, blackmailed, and threatened into doing things they are not supposed to do.

Those TSA agents at the airport back home live in my community. I can find them anytime I want to. I can isolate them from whatever form of protection they think they have, and I can apply all sorts of dastardly tricks until I find their weakness and then they will do whatever I want them to (not that I ever would, I am just proving a point here folks).

Once you understand that the illusion has nothing to do with controlling criminals, you will be able to see what the true purpose of instigating these programs really is. Folks, that ain't paranoia, that is the cold hard reality of it. It's the same face I saw from the terrorist ops in Baghdad.

"I doubt that an entire planeload of people will now just sit there and wait for the "hijacking" to end. Sure, some will just sit and cry, scream and wring their hands, but SOME will now fight back"

Susan, I wish I shared your belief. I'm currently treating an airline employee who was assaulted in the air by a passenger and NO ONE intervened. Not during, not after..

I think "stupid and ironically clever" perfectly describes us abusing ourselves.

-- Craig

Naro,

funny thing you mentioned it. Good portion of my calls in the airport comes from the hurt crew on the in bound flights. Why? They are considered "enemies". After all the frustration and anxiety connected with flights (TSA, check points, anxiety and stupid rules) some will have a short fuse and take it out on them. Now this is not a terrorist attack. This is a "domestic violence dispute". Bystanders think: "why should I be pulled into this?" This is typical street bs. Just like many will not stand up to a guy beating up someone on the subway. After all everyone heard the story about someone trying to help just to be cought up in the law suit and all the legal junk. Also guy who is doing the wrong doing is kind of doing it for all of us. Out of the sudden my frustration with flights get released as well. Think of it as reverse heroism. We are all supressed and than somebody makes the stand. I know it is wrong but it's the same feeling. I saw a guy beating up a parking ticket lady while driving to the hospital. Nobody was helping. Now personally I felt good which is a bad feeling since somebody was getting hurt but a day before I got a $120 parking ticket. Would I have stop if not going to the call? Probably but my level of sympathy would be very low.

Now imagine the same situation but this time the gentelman is fitting terrorist profile and arguments get heated and there is a potential threat to me (an innocent bystander). Than I surely will do something about it.

Now in your case... Where was the air marshal? Where were fellow employees? Personally I met few flight attendants that deserved a beating.

Well after 9/11 BrigadeQuartermaster sold a replica of OSS plastic made lapel knives that as advertised could pass thru metal detectors. They also had a disclaimer that read: "do not even think about bringing this item on board of the planes". What the hell are they thinking? Isn't it like giving a weapons and ideas away? This really suprised me because they always fly high the American flag and claim patriotism and devotion. Well maybe for the sake and safety of others this should have been taken of the shelfs. I found it really clever to have a memorial to 9/11 on one page and plastic knife that is more dangerous than any box cutter on the other. WHy don't they also list plans on how to build a gun out of synthetic materials or how to smuggle a bomb into different places... of course with proper disclaimer.

I figure giving every passenger a single shot pistol at the beginning of the flight would end anymore 9/11 style attacks.