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Man flies to Pakistan using sister's passport
Here at Gadling, we have from time to time chastised the Transportation Security Administration for its ineptitude.Need examples? Check out this funny round-up from Scott on some of the dumbest things the TSA did in 2008. Highlights include a TSA agent smuggling a gun on board an airplane, agents failing to catch a mock bomb (in front of CNN cameras) and, of course, the famous Nipplegate scandal.
But we also like to spread the ridicule around.
With that, I give you the possibly more inept security workers at Birmingham International Airport in Britain.
A Pakistani man recently succeeded in flying between BIA and Islamabad, passing through no fewer than three security checkpoints along the way, using his sister's passport. When he arrived in Pakistan, border guards there noticed the, uh, discrepancy and promptly sent the man back to Britain -- where he had to rebook his trip, this time with the right documentation.
Businessman Kasim Raja, 26, said it was an honest mistake. He told Britain's Sunday Mercury: "I was in a bit of a rush and grabbed what I thought was my passport as I was leaving."
He added: "I handed it over at the desk, they checked it and everything was fine. When we got to the boarding gate they checked it again and waved me straight through."
Swissport, who operates the BIA terminal out of which Pakistan International Airways flies, says it is investigating the incident.
Mr. Raja is actually angry at Swissport for refusing to give him a refund upon his return. "If they had spotted the error like they are supposed to, I could have gone home, got my passport and still made the flight," he said.
Then again, if Mr. Raja had actually made sure he had the right passport on him to begin with.....
Top 10 stupidest laws you could encounter abroad
Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Doug Jan 4th 2009 6:22PM
amazeing.....all the money we pay, and the checks we go through just to get a passport........
Jack Jan 4th 2009 7:05PM
In the first place it did NOT happen in this country, and in the second place it is Amazing, Not Amazeing.
tfarnon Jan 4th 2009 7:22PM
I'm surprised that this happened at a UK airport at all. When I visited the UK in 2004, I noticed that security overall was far superior to anything our own Homeland Security does--they have a lot more experience and a lot more common sense regarding security in the UK. What with the CCTV in nearly all public places (and I have no objection to that--you are a fool to think that nobody is watching when you are OUT IN PUBLIC), the lack of trash receptacles in railway stations and other transit hubs (so that bombs can't be planted in them--it's amazing the 2005 bombing caused as much damage as it did, given the kleenex-box-sized trash receptacle the bomb had to be shoved into). the very visible police presence (police with the COOLEST automatic weapons I'd ever seen at Gatwick airport, police patrolling everywhere else I went), and the no-nonsense efficiency of security screeners at airports, I thought the UK had (still think so in spite of this incident) it all over US so-called security.
Zia Constance Jan 4th 2009 7:58PM
I'm sure that if they said "this is a pic of a woman, dude", he might have said, "& l'm still payin' for my operation" & they'd face $1,000,000's in lawsuits. I'm sure it wasn't a 'threat' but he just couldn't get to his destination once it cleared. (terrorist/s?) l'm sure would never risk using a bad passport!
frequentflyer Jan 4th 2009 8:40PM
The United States TSA is still attempting to get their act together. A few months ago, I was running late for a flight and the passengers in front of me allowed me to jump in front of them. I cordially, although hurriedly, told the TSA agent of my rush and handed him my ID and boarding pass. He responded, "It's not my problem," and rolled his eyes, 'checks' my documents and allows me through. I rush through only to find that my flight is majorly delayed due to mechanical issues. When I talk to the gate agent to get re-booked, I hand him the same boarding pass (still with my ID wrapped up in it from running to the gate) and the gate agent asks me for today's pass. I made it through with the pass I used to get to that airport 3 days prior! In my rush, I pulled out the old pass that was in my pocket from before.
'Thanks' to Airtran, I had plenty of time to report the error and the attitude to his supervisor.
I've also made it through, albeit unintentionally, with all kinds of liquids--hair gel, shampoo, u-name-it--at multiple airports. Aren't they supposed to eliminate that silly rule later this year? Plus, some airports want asthma inhalers in the plastic baggy, others don't care. Go figure!
Bob Jan 4th 2009 8:44PM
The matching mustaches probably threw them off.
Raymond Gardner Jan 4th 2009 9:37PM
Cute Bob. Probably not politically correct but have to admit it brought a chuckle from me.
watdafuk Jan 5th 2009 12:17AM
Thats what i was thinking she probably had the same beard as him.
Thomas Gottlieb Jan 6th 2009 9:23AM
TSA has its act together have you had any other incidents in the US no have you had to work under these circumstances I wonder if you would feel the same way these officers put there life on the line everyday do you or could you knowing that at any given moment a suicide bomber might end there lives and if you could why dont you apply for the job and see first hand what they do and the work they do
CAL10PILOT Jan 4th 2009 10:02PM
ohhhhh, I'd be so surprised, but... to be fair, TSA wasn't the security there, and the airlines are required to check passports also. It's gonna hit the fan because there are heavy fines for this screw up. And no.... the fines are a lot more than this guys airline ticket.... so he should eat it.
clark Jan 4th 2009 10:53PM
Fugggetttit!!!!!!! Nobody is responsible for their own stupidity anymore: forgetting to take your gun, dope, whatever out of your carry-on; dumping scalding hot coffee in your own crotch; using the wrong passport. It doesn't matter how stupid you are, it's somebody else's fault and you can SUE THEM! AND, 12 even more stupid people will award you millions. There was never a better time in history to have been born stupid and raised to be even more stupid. The age of Aquarius is sooooo OVER, it is now the Age of Stupidity.
leni Jan 5th 2009 7:43AM
Well put Clark. I often wonder why there is such an epidemic of refusing to accept responsiblity for your own actions among young people. You hit the nail on the head, as long as the basic immaturity is rewarded I don't see any changes on the horizon. As Dr. Phil would say "Is it working for you"? Apparently so.
Roscoec Jan 4th 2009 10:34PM
Have you ever seen some some of the women from these countries ?
Tracey Jan 4th 2009 11:39PM
Couldn't have said that any better Clark
mr. Jim Jan 4th 2009 11:43PM
TSA is a pack of thieves! Stealing anything they can. Scum of the earth. They robbed me and my wife of thousands of dollars of our property and nothing was done about it. Don't trust Dulles in Virginia, it is a den of thieves, travel out of some other airport.
Don Jan 5th 2009 12:08AM
These stories are nothing.Each and every day--thousands of illegals arrive in the USA without any papers whatsoever.
Anthony Conaway Jan 5th 2009 1:14AM
Interesting. I'm thinking how difficult it was for me, a US-born American, to return to the United States from Canada, carrying my own American passport.
rotharpunc Jan 5th 2009 1:21AM
Anthony,
That's because you were trying to do it LEGALLY, jump the border, you get in no problem! This story is just plain(plane!) funny though! Never in my life have I ever felt any fear of terrorism though. and all the screening measures only keep the harmless people from going about their business.
johnfromnyc Jan 5th 2009 4:32AM
The tsa stole my camera out of my bag at O'hare airport. I almost got arrested when I complained about it... Such crap!
Charlie Williams Jan 5th 2009 6:52AM
I am 71, retired Army Officer who had Top Secret clearances, never been in any adverse or criminal activity, been an elected councilman and travel out of the US 3 or 4 times a year. I have no problems except when going through Newark. I alway get pulled out and sent to a room like a court set up where people are called up and stand before a uniformed customs official. I have always been passed with no problems. However they are really nasty and rude to people from other countries. No other entry port is like this.