The latest on the TSA Fiasco

[Brogs]

Apparently the "airline is to blame" so if a guy gets into your Aeroplane damaging expensive equipment in the process, "its your fault",
well its finally happened ! the Lunatics have taken over the Asylum !!

TSA ON OFFENSIVE AFTER DAMAGING AIRCRAFT
While the TSA stipulates that its inspector damaged sensitive external probes while assessing the security of nine American Eagle planes parked overnight at O'Hare earlier this week, it contends that the inspector got into seven of the nine -- and that American is to blame. Toward that end, the TSA is opening an inquiry into "multiple security violations" by American Eagle. Forty American Eagle flights were delayed to allow mechanics time to determine if probes would still properly function following the inspector's "inspection." The inconvenience and loss of revenue may now be compounded by the TSA's continuing investigation that could theoretically fine the airline up to $175,000, according to the TSA, for leaving their aircraft vulnerable. In this case, the aircraft may have been particularly vulnerable to a TSA inspector who may or may not have used his ID badge or eluded airport police to gain access to "sterile" areas of the airfield, then climb up to door height using instrument probes and open a door that can only be locked from the inside. The TSA said in a statement this week's inspection was a follow-up to earlier inspections, which exposed the same vulnerability. More...
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/a ... tml#198645

[esurfman]

That's what happens when you give some guys badges and a little bit of Authorithy; they think they own the world. We have the same problem at work.

[Jamal_Pratt]

well that sounds like airport authority problem not American Eagle..i mean airplane doors usually cant be locked from the outside...but thats why when u rent gates or space ur also paying for airport security...

Now if this TSA guy somehow managed to get on the field and acess to an aircraft with out showing his badge than thats a problem!..damaging an airplane becuase of improper procedures thats a problem!!

[nwadc10]

This is just making me sick. These guys aren't making any friends in the industry over something that doesn't need to be tested. Sure, testing airport security has its merits and should be done. But gaining access to a "secured" aircraft is pointless because it can absolutely be done! Normal access doors often have tape across the seam of the door when secured at night. When the door is opened a portion of the tape is left on the aircraft with some sort of message, i.e. "VOID". However, that tape does not need to be used if the aircraft undergoes a security check before the first flight of the day which is required. There are more details of which I will spare the reader.

What TSA is failing to think of is that emergency exits are not secured by that tape. Most emergency exits can be opened from outside. On a larger jet all one would need to break in is a ladder of sufficient height to get on the upper wing surface. Therefore, security checks are required before first flight of the day. Their whole reason for inspection/gain access to an aircraft is pointless, except from the standpoint of getting from the perimeter fence to the aircraft.

[khelm]

This is absolutely ridiculous.

The TSA should know that if anyone GETS to the airplane its THEIR FAULT!

This agency is the biggest joke our government has ever come up with.

I can't wait to deal with these clowns on an everyday basis

[esurfman]

Drug smugglers who hide dope inside the aircrafts are as dangerous. They can also pose a threat to aircraft and passanger safety.

[yoni63]

Justin, your post got me to thinking. Back in the day (and this on an Air Force Base) we had lots of aircraft at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. To shorten this post a bit, I won't go naming numbers and kinds, but imagine a flightline literally packed at night with everything from C-5's to F-4's and F-5's. The flightline was well over a mile and a half long, lighting was not "total" as when you get so far out toward the outlying parking areas that are adjacent to the runway it gets darker of course. The only aircraft that had a sentry (one man per aircraft) on them were the C-5's and anything with live ordinance on board. If you time your movements just right, it was a cinch to get to an aircraft and even board it if you knew how to open the door.

I'd like to know first off, who in the world thinks that civilian trained security are sharp enough to ensure no intruder is going to gain access to an aircraft? Its just too easy to use darkness and tactical movements. Kind of like you said, thus the reason for security checks for the first flight of the day...

TSA is just getting their heckles up so they can put everyone else on the defensive but them. Its a knee jerk reaction!