Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Man forgets ammo in carry-on bag -- turns himself in
It is becoming obvious that the TSA isn't asking for new technology because of smart terrorists -- they need all these new machines because they are incapable of doing their job. A passenger boarded a plane at Milwaukee General Mitchell airport, but realized he had left some shotgun shells in his bag. Being a good citizen, he reported this to the flight attendant, who informed the pilot.
The plane then returned to the gate so the passenger could turn the ammo into the local police. The man was re-screened, and allowed back on the plane.
After the failed terror attempt on Christmas day, one would expect TSA agents to be extra vigilant. The agency has been asking for more money to invest in full body scanners, and other detection equipment. But at the end of the day, even the most impressive piece of equipment in the world becomes another useless gadget when staffed by idiots.
Filed under: North America, United States, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Sam W Jan 12th 2010 11:46AM
I am happy to see that they did not arrest him or some other dumb move for his coming forward and admitting his error. Even though the TSA messed up in screening at least it did not turn into a major incident for this passenger's error.
hatersiayer Jan 12th 2010 3:00PM
I bet if he was arabic or his name had "Muhammad" in it somewhere this wouldn't have ended so peacefully for him.
Flaying Knife Jan 13th 2010 6:57AM
...and it shouldn't have.
Sean Jan 13th 2010 9:12AM
Unfortunately, you're right.
Charlie Jan 13th 2010 12:07PM
You are correct. As it should be for all muslims.
Kepi Jan 13th 2010 6:17AM
The TSA screeners MUST start to take their jobs seriously or the American public will no longer want to fly. How could they have overlooked the shotgun shells? We immediately need to staff the TSA with qualified alert individuals and fire those who are inept.
Larry Jan 13th 2010 7:13AM
You are absolutely right. Like a lot of other folks in todays economy, I found myself looking for work after 27 years with the same company. I got hired by the TSA. The ineptitude of the local management is incredulous. Staffing is filled mostly by people you wouldn't trust to get your order at McDonalds correct. In 4 years that I have worked for them, they have only fired 3 people. 1 because of bad credit, 1 for DUI and the last for "flashing" his badge. The last 2 were reinstated because of management's errors in the firing process. We have people that are so incompetent, they wouldn't last a week in the private sector. Double standards are the norm. The FSD is a ghost. Haven't seen him in months. It appears to most that he is concerned more with building a career elsewhere than in fixing what's wrong here. Not that he could fix anything regardless of desire. Biggest problem, as I see it, is the whole de-regulation of airline industry. Airports are county/city owned, dictated to by airline companies, (ie; if we don't get our way, we'll take our planes elsewhere), secured by private security companies and the TSA. Absolutely no co-operation between agencies. My only hope is for a speedy recovery for our economy so I can get the heck out of here.
P.S. I never fly anymore. 2 vacations in 2 years, I drove.
ConnieJ Jan 13th 2010 9:20AM
There are a lot of people who no longer fly. If I can drive it in 1-2 days, I will not fly. Not because of fear of flying, but because of all the ignorant hassles at the airports. When it takes half a day just to get on a plane, why would I bother?
Dan Jan 13th 2010 5:23PM
KEPI if they were to fire the inept workers at TSA , there would be so few left that it would cease to exist.
JR Jan 13th 2010 6:51AM
If they made TSA personnel into Federal Agents like the FBI, CIA, etc, they might get a better class of employee and the employees may actually care about their jobs.
TSA = They Stand Around (and do nothing)
Emily Jan 13th 2010 9:34AM
Just what level of college education do you want these screeners to have? You people are so &*%%@(& stupid its pitiful. Any idea how many people in the United States alone flew yesterday? How many of them blew up a plane? No one will tell you this but TSA workers are not expected to do the impossible, the impossible being a perfect job. Their real job is to put a barrier in place. Part eyewash to placate the masses and, more importantly, to tell terroists "Hey, we are looking, You just might get caught." If you accept what their real job is, they are doing very well.
salpuki Jan 13th 2010 7:48AM
TSA agents is just a title. These people are on the same level as toll collectors. Couple hours of training, clean uniform, walkie-talkie, and than they are making decisions that affect our lives! Now that's scarey.
PL Jan 13th 2010 10:11AM
No question that this individual is subtly making a racist statement. The Washington reference is key.
BobaLou Jan 13th 2010 11:21AM
Here we go anti- profiling again. If you have a class of 20 TSA agents and only 3 of them are minorities you don't just grab 7 more minorities and hand them a uniform so you can say you have an equal racial balance. That may be PC but it's also stupid; then again so is being too PC. Minorities have been getting cheated for years because we pass them along so as not to appear "racist" instead of taking the time and effort to make sure they have been properly educated to perform on the next level. How is that fair to anyone ??
ben Jan 13th 2010 7:07AM
Most TSA agents I've incountered look like someone hired from downtown Washingtons mcdonalds
bev Jan 13th 2010 7:34AM
With the recent terrorist thing just a month ago you would think security would be at a high priority. If this is securities best people should think about not flying. Airlines are charging more and more for baggage and but don't seem to be doing a whole lot to keep you safe while flying with them.
Kalvin Jan 13th 2010 7:42AM
It's a Govt. job, what do you expect? Have you seen a TSA employee? Need I say more.
Gun Smoker Jan 13th 2010 6:36PM
Shotgun shells like the one shown in the picture are basically useless as weapons or IEDs.
They can't be used as weapons without a shotgun to fire them with.
If you detonated one outside the barrel of a shotgun, it would be like a firecracker, not like a bomb. No risk of bringing the plane down, period.
But natrually, the problem is that TSA didn't see these shotgun shells. So this guy could have carried small containers of high explosives on board, or blasting caps or other dangerous stuff, and TSA would not have found it.
cef911f1 Jan 13th 2010 7:55AM
I suspect that this was less accidental than reported. Seems to me he proved a point. The point; all this security at airports is really just cosmetic. It makes the traveling public feel better but really doesn't make them any safer.
k6185 Jan 13th 2010 8:05AM
With all the turmoil involving the T.S.A. , my wife refuses to fly to Florida for our winter vacation . we'll be taking AMTRAK . It takes longer sure, but it is much cheaper. If your not in a rush ,AMTRAK is an alternative.