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Undercover TSA official makes it through security with mock explosive
Transportation Security Administration news seems to be popping up all over the place. First it alerted staff that covert testing was taking place (making it not so covert), then the screeners failed to catch explosives, and then the girlfriend of one of Gadling's own bloggers got through security without valid ID. What's in store this week? An online CNN video showing a failed undercover test of TSA screeners.
On Friday, January 25, the lucky folks of the CNN investigate team got to follow TSA undercover official "Jason" along to the Tampa International Airport. At the hotel room he strapped on a mock explosive tucked into an elastic back strap, and upon arrival at the airport made it through security clearance with no problem. CNN, in turn, got it all on tape.
Frequent tests are run by the TSA, but rarely are they made so public. The TSA did state however that the methods used by "Jason" to smuggle his mock explosive through security are common ones found on known terror websites; the video isn't divulging anything new.
You can watch the video here. Confused on whether to feel safe or not? Read more about TSA covert testing at the TSA official website, then decide for yourself.
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Filed under: North America, United States, Airports, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Justin Glow Jan 29th 2008 1:39AM
What really bugs me about this is that the undercover TSA guy goes by "Jason." If I were an undercover agent, I'd have an awesome name like Thor or Devadander.
Anna Brones Jan 29th 2008 9:22AM
No kidding!
Ethan619 Jan 29th 2008 8:50PM
I'm not surprised...not in the least. Didn't we just see an article about a man who carried a gun through security, realized it and then reported it TSA...TSA returned that valiant effort by calling the police on the man!
For those of us who are frequent travelers, this is kind of expected. It's no secret that TSA agents are far more concerned about your 3oz. toothpaste being in a 1qt sized Ziploc than silly little bombs!
Good job TSA! I feel so safe knowing you're there. Idiots.
Ken Masterson Jan 29th 2008 9:13PM
I belive that TSA is run by FAA. And they BOTH suck.
I used to be a security guard for Worldwimp... I mean Worldwide Security at Sky Harbor. I actually saw an arrogant FAA wench get herself arrested. She attempted to enter the ramp without her appropriate ID, and threatened to have the ramp guards arrested.
When I saw that "all-powerful" FAA fruitcake get arrested, and put in handcuffs, I had to leave work early. See, I laughed so hard, I burst a blood vessel in my eye.
Andrew Jan 29th 2008 11:09PM
Jason BOurne!!!
robrtl Jan 29th 2008 9:55PM
examining at airports is fighting last years war. think out of the box ..forest fires , malls newyears in n . y. the mind boggles at the terrorist oppurtunities in an open society. the tsa is an exercise in futility ..just a sop to the public
steve Jan 29th 2008 9:53PM
this doesn't surprise me, i have the privledge of knowing some TSA officers. they happen to be complete morons, when i look at them i can't believe there in charge of securing terminals. One moron i know is in charge of a team of these morons. They basically hire anyone to do the job. i think the only requirement for the job is to know how to tie ur shoe. i hear that in the 9 hour academy for the job all they teach u is to simulate using a wand with a small tree branch on a chair.
Helen Jan 30th 2008 1:29AM
I don't think so.It's a bit more intense than that. ANd maybe you should walk in a TSA agents shoes for a week and see what they go through with the people who come through a checkpoint on any given day. The people flying leave alot to be desired as far as their attitudes and personalities.
steve Jan 30th 2008 7:58PM
Public relations is part of their job, they took the job knowing they were gonna have to deal with yuppie morons. i dont feel bad for them. the truth of the matter is they are not doing their jobs, not a hard one to pat people down all day. im a C.O at Sing Sing i deal with patting down loud mouth morons everyday. i dont feel sorry for myself, i took the job knowing it entitled strip searching idiots and listening to them complain all day. I still do my job when they start their bitchin.
violin Jan 29th 2008 10:12PM
What are the requirements for this job? What is the salary? CASE CLOSED.
flyme Jan 29th 2008 11:06PM
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the majority of TSA security agents, have no college education, and most barely made it through high school. A high percentage aren't even American. What do you really expect. It is the most inconvienient joke and insult to the Americans who travel regularly to make American business interests run smoothly.
Xena Jan 30th 2008 12:07AM
LOL Jason Bourne! Funny! I agree with most of you people, the airports still need beefing up yet treats people equally with respects.
GERI Jan 30th 2008 12:28AM
I BET "JASON" WAS A WHITE GUY....WAIT LET ME WATCH THE VIDEO......SEE WHAT I TELL YOU...BECAUSE IF HAD BEEN A BLACK GUY...CNN OR NO...HE WOULD STILL BE TRYING TO PULL THE BUCKSHOTS OUT HIS AZZ!!!!!!
john Jan 30th 2008 2:14AM
First they are rude to you, then they don't catch what they are there to find in the first place. What good are they? Get rid of the TSA Please!
Carrie Maffey Jan 30th 2008 2:30AM
I wonder if this increase of reports about "failed tests" has anything to do with the Real ID. Sounds like this could be a scare tactic to push the public into accepting this national i.d. card. (Homeland Security won't admit that it's a national id, but it is.) Sounds suspicious to me.
bb Jan 30th 2008 2:36AM
TSA is a joke, they couldn't find their heads if you spotted them the ear. The pseudo-security they provide only only makes the ignorant feel self. I avoid flying whenever possible for both safety sake and to avoid the ridiculous delays and procedures all in the name of safety. TSA is another government handout program for the uneducated and the lazy, government spawned by fear. Every taxpayer now pays these boobs whether they fly or not. If the airlines want to do business, let let them pay the cost of doing business.
Also, one last note for TSA --- making a deploying unit soldiers and servicemembers remove their uniform footwear (boots) --- get a friggin clue you idiots.
Leroy Jan 30th 2008 6:22AM
Ummm, Mando, You're obviously not only a TSA employee, or a relative of one, you're also a MORON.
We PAY through the nose for airline tickets, and after 9/11, its YOUR JOB to keep us safe in the air.
You're a bunch of miserable failures at this job, and should probably go back to flipping burgers at McDonalds, which is probably all your qualified for.
Now. about your attitude, if you had done your damn jobs on 9/11/2001, instead of being a bunch of F***offs, and lazy idiots, our twin towers would still be standing, and my friend at the Pentagon that died, would still be alive for his wife and 3 daughters.
Wake up! it only takes a minimum of effort to screen people, if you're not willing to do that, then step aside and let someone that gives a shit about somebody besides their lousy self have the job.
Mando Jan 31st 2008 11:28AM
Leroy,
I am retired Air Force you dumb fuck, I served my country so that assholes like you can speak with freedom and you have the right to do so....and so do I. Don't need to flip burgers cause I can still flip your ass and knock you the fuck out. TSA was not around on 9/11 you unemployed bastard, and if you want to bitch about the price of an airline ticket, take it up with the airlines not TSA. My friend was at the
Pentagon too that day....he was one of the lucky ones and your friend that did not make could have been one of my friend to or some one that I knew.
Hey BB, what the fuck do you think a metal detector does....if you have metal in your boots...forget it, figure it out yourself.
TSA....I think you are doing a great job.
can it be done better? YES it can.
Cat Feb 2nd 2008 2:38AM
TSA screeners were not at airports before 9/11.
jessica Aug 22nd 2008 12:45AM
Please tell me who died and made any of you perfect. TSA happens to have a very diverse and well educated workforce from all walks of life. People are so full of themselves, they forget the reason TSA was created. Remember 9/11? Instead of passing judgement about TSA, learn how to follow simple directions and things will go alot smoother when you fly. I mean.. since we are dealing with well educated people.