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Amsterdam Schiphol airport in damage control mode after terror attempt
If you want a surefire way to have the international aviation community look down on your airport, all you need to do is make the news as "the airport" where a terror attempt originated.Amsterdam Schiphol is the airport where yesterdays trouble may have started. I'm of course talking about the attempt at blowing up a Northwest Airlines/Delta Airlines plane bound for Detroit.
The Nigerian passenger started his trip in Lagos, but transited in Amsterdam, and that part of his trip is at the core of political question time in The Netherlands.
According to airport security officials, he probably arrived at Schiphol with the explosives already strapped to his legs, but current screening technology at the airport can't detect non-metallic objects. European airports have been asking for full body scanners for several years, but the European Commission is blocking their implementation because of privacy concerns.
Assuming Schiphol acted correctly, and screened the passenger as demanded by the United States, the airport can't be blamed for allowing the passenger to board. Part of the screening procedure is a "fly/no fly" permission system, and according to the airline, the United States greenlighted the Nigerian terrorist to fly to the States - even though he was on an international watch list.
If you are flying from Amsterdam to the United States, you'll need to be prepared for long delays, as all US bound planes are undergoing enhanced screening procedures.
Filed under: Europe, Netherlands, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VJ Shah Dec 27th 2009 4:29AM
During Christmas discussions one of my friends narrated a very bad incident at the same Schipol airport. The person was travelling with his old grandmother (87 years old and on wheelchair) from Oslo via Schipol as Transit. There was 2 hours waiting. While waiting for boarding the plane, the old lady asked for something (warm) to drink. They had already passed the security checks (just prior to boarding).. so the boy contacted the security guy right there and asked permission to get a tea which was just outside the check. Agreed. The boy got the tea and tried to come in again. But the young security person refused to allow the tea in! Imgaine: The security can see the tea counter and the old lady sitting a little far from the checkups. Bteween the tea and the old person is the security scan. But all were visible from the same spot and a security man indeed allowed them to get the tea. But another one did not allow it to be taken in!
Several co-passengers were shocked at the sight when the young boy just left the tea (paper cup) at the scan and boarded the plane with his grandmother who was wondering why it was so difficult to get some warm drink!
This is the security we are seeing at airports. A mimicry!! Harrassment to you and me... while the real terrorist easily sneaks in.
Some of my friends tried to defend the Security guys saying that they are doing their job. No! I do not agree. They are following some 'rules'. Doing the job and bureaucratically following some rules are not the same!! I never agree here.
If Schipol security is so fantastic, how did the Nigerian get in with the explosives?
VJ Shah Dec 31st 2009 7:21PM
CIA was severely criticized for the lack of action inspite of getting a mesage from the terrorists father... In return today CIA responded that they are getting 8000 messages every day and cannot be blamed! Well, it is CIA's job to sort out the messages...
Many airports are tightening security now.. Most are ceremonial- without any substance... When the airport security wastes time as in the above post, then how can they find time to find the real culprits???