The Transportation Security Administration’s new enhanced-imaging full body scanners are an epic fail. If not the technology itself, then the agents manning the monitors. According to a “high ranking” source at the TSA [via nbcdfw.com], an undercover agent was able to get through security at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with a handgun in her underwear during testing of the new system. Repeatedly. “The officer successfully made it through the airport’s body scanners every time she tried, the source said.” How many times? Not specified. But we do know that “The TSA insider who blew the whistle on the test also said that none of the TSA agents who failed to spot the gun on the scanned image were disciplined. The source said the agents continue to work the body scanners today.” The TSA issued a not-entirely-reassuring statement about the failure . . .
Our security officers are one of the most heavily tested federal workforces in the nation. We regularly test our officers in a variety of ways to ensure the effectiveness of our technology, security measures and the overall layered system. For security reasons, we do not publicize or comment on the results of covert tests, however advanced imaging technology is an effective tool to detect both metallic and nonmetallic items hidden on passengers.
I guess the important question is what was she carrying and where did she hide it ? I’m sure it wasn’t a S&W 500 or full size 1911.
Where did she hide it? In her revulva!
Frankly I’m not surprised a friend of mine got pulled aside and randomly searched when there was no one else in line and he found out later that he had his Swiss army knife in his back pack that TSA scanned and physically searched.
Though they did confiscated a bottle of water she was carrying.
Good to know. I hate baggage-checking my gun when I travel.
I just know that there is a penis=guns joke here, I just can’t think of it.
Adam Savage (the mythbuster) had a similar experience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3yaqq9Jjb4
The TSA is (almost) useless:
The TSA’s only roll is to prevent a lone crazy passenger from taking out a flight. Oh, and to spend money in ways that benefit politically connected insiders.
Organized terrorists will slip through unnoticed. After all, the TSA style checkpoints are 0 for 2 (shoe bomber, crotch bomber).
And disgruntled ground crew can still simply Bring a gun around the checkpoint to take down a plane, as ground crew are still not screened.
So don’t be surprised when tests like this happen and the TSA fails.
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