The Government Accountability Office, also known as the GAO, decided to put these seemingly faultless new security standards to the test. Investigators passed undetected through security checkpoints at 19 U.S. airports with bomb constructing components in their luggage and on their person. GAO officials are expected to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today.
Based on review of public information, the GAO identified weaknesses in the Transportation Security Administration, and took advantage of these findings to make it through airport security. According to reports from CNN,
"According to the testimony, a transportation security officer barred one of
the investigators from bringing an unlabeled bottle of medicated shampoo through
the checkpoint. But the security officer allowed a liquid component of the
improvised explosive device to pass through undetected, although that item is
prohibited by the TSA."
So, what are these weaknesses? Although they were collected from review of public information, the GOA refuses to reveal them, as they are considered sensitive safety information. But, the GOA investigators found these weaknesses by the same means as terrorists have before, and continue to today.
Just last week, a plane at LaGuardia Airport was searched after a bomb threat was reported. Although, the plane was moved away from other aircraft for the search, the airport remained open. Authorities have yet to report their findings. I find this report particularly frightening, as I have flown in and out of La Guardia several times.
USA Today reported that security screeners failed to find pseudo bombs hidden on undercover agents in more than half of investigative tests conducted last year. This particular series of tests used three airports as case studies, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. The investigators attempted to pass through gates with bomb materials hidden in everyday carry-ons, including toiletry kits, briefcases and CD players.
Security experts were stunned at the failure rates at the Los Angeles and Chicago airports. The San Fransisco International Airport screeners operate under a private company instead of the TSA, and interestingly missed about 20 percent of the bombs, a great deal less than those missed by the other two airports.
Perhaps we should be thankful that these holes in the air travel security system were uncovered by investigative officials, in contrast to a much more tragic alternative. We can only hope that the TSA and other private security institutions will take these findings to their advantage to make air travel as safe as possible.
5 comments:
My mom regularly flys to China. She refuses to wear a bra with an underwire because of the hassle it causes.
On the other hand, my friend's boyfriend is in the military and walks around the airport with a gun all the time.
Where is the balance? The public isn't allowed to bring liquids on the plane, yet certain people are allowed to carry an entire arsenol in their pants.
These articles show how airport security systems are seriously flawed.
This is an interesting and timely article: "Flight Path"
It is about airport security during the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wow -- that's scary! All this talk about security getting better in airports, and it seems to be just more hassles and more slip-ups. And look: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/11/12/holidaytravel.airline.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch. 27 million fliers for Thanksgiving!
Out of everywhere I've been, I think flying out of Ireland to Houston was the worst. My friend got her lip gloss and creme blush confiscated. The workers there acted like we were all trying to smuggle bad things back into our own country. I never wear belts to airports anymore because of the amount of clothes and articles that have to be removed and checked just to get to the terminals.
I feel bad for those who travel often for business. I wonder if these issues will ever get resolved. There should probably be a huge increase in bomb-sniffing dogs and drug dogs. They're amazing and detect much more than airport equipment.
Good luck to all the holiday travelers.
time in probably at least 7 or 8 years. I was really shocked at some of the changes. i.e. taking your shoes off at security, family members barred from walking with you to your gate.
All I can say is that I seriously hope and pray that these problems get fixed so that we can avoid another catastrophy like 9-11.
It is unfortunate we have to take all this extra time when traveling to go through all of the sercurity precautions. But I think it is a good thing that they are trying to make it safer to fly sicne 9/11. One time when I was flying I had a gift in my backpack which was a square candle and I got pulled aside right away and they poured out my whole backpack. It was a pain, but better safe then sorry. Although there are some messed up people out there that I am sure are so smart and could figure out some way to cheat the system which is also so scary.
It is a drag when going through security check points in the airport. We have to take off our shoes, remove anything and I mean anything that may cause the detector to go off. As Rachael said her mom refuses to wear a bra with an underwire because it becomes a mess at the check point. Then the 3 oz of liquid rule sucks too, but I guess that's why they allow you to check in your bags in case you don't meet the rule.
I've traveled my whole life and I still remember what a huge change it was for me after 9/11. Every time I'm at the airport I'm reminded of what happen that day. It's as if one of our rights has been taken away.
As for the recent discoveries it comes as no surprise to me at all. "Where there's a will there's a way" I often notice that the TSA screeners don't pay attention. They are talking and joking around. The only serious ones seem to be those controlling the crowds as if they're herds of cows.
It's not an easy job to spot every suspicious liquid or carry on item that may be a threat. With lines of people they have a job to protect the country and allow enough time for people to get to their flights in time.
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