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cmathas
I love this job. All of my readers paint such pictures! Hahahahaha!
one_armed_bandit
Forget the guns - airport security is theater anyway. Any decent engineer can ...
Is airport screening technology doing the job? Nope
Carolyn Mathas
6/12/2012 2:11 PM EDT
In 2011 alone, 800 guns were detected on board planes after getting past current detection methods, says a new Frost & Sullivan report: U.S. Airport Screening Technologies Market. The report indicates that despite the precautions of the TSA, screening capabilities just aren’t enough. In 2011, the TSA distributed approximately $437.1 million for airport screening technologies.
While explosive detection seems to be at the top of the buy list to date, future dollars will likely go to smaller systems that are more versatile and can enhance throughput speed. A critical consideration that is not yet possible is the mass screening of personnel.
The effectiveness of current advanced imaging technologies and the cancer risks of backscatter x-ray technologies are under review.
Seems like a lot of guns to pass through unnoticed, doesn’t it?


radioactive
6/14/2012 7:46 AM EDT
How did the guns get detected once on-board? The answer has to be -- move that detection methodology back to security. Duh.
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cmathas
6/14/2012 8:46 AM EDT
That thought crossed my mind as well. According the Frost & Sullivan, they got past that detection equipment in security--but I don't remember reading about 800 gun-wielding flying criminals just in the U.S.
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one_armed_bandit
6/14/2012 8:50 PM EDT
Forget the guns - airport security is theater anyway. Any decent engineer can see the holes.
If the TSA/govt was serious, they would setup a few test places with the standard equipment *and* follow their procedure to the letter. You don't want a "because we know you are trying, we will strip search everybody" measurement bias. The kicker: if you get something thru, you get cash - $100K to $1mill depending on the "thing". A missed gun? $100K. A nuke? $1mill (well, a simulated one, but it has to be a *good* fake...) Seriously, it would need to be a conventional device that could "bang" enough to do serious damage - which could be the right things *easily* mixed in the bathroom in 30 sec (the current restrictions were because of chems that were not realistic).
You get the money after you pass thru, then reveal the "thing" with full disclosure of the method. The govt then adds that check to the sequence.
Off-topic, but I would *love* to see 50 guys in kilts - full commando mode - go thru the TSA line. Nothing to hide, and hide *nothing*. The video would go viral in 20 minutes - what a chance to moon the TSA!!
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cmathas
6/14/2012 11:10 PM EDT
I love this job. All of my readers paint such pictures! Hahahahaha!
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