Airport Security

[Guest graunch1]

Security issues that I have encountered are mainly due to poorly trained staff who place emphasis on the wrong things and generally do not have a very good grasp of the English (or French ) languages as most appear to be of Asian descent.

A couple months ago in YYC my wife had her finger nail clippers confiscated yet 15 feet away on a table inside the secure area was a large pair of metal scissors just sitting there. I took them back to the security point and there was not one person who could either speak english enought to understand what my issue was or basically give a crap.

All in all the security is not that big of a deal as I have travelled quite a bit internationally and have been through most major airports - not really much difference than pre 9/11.

Last time I was in Paris they blocked off part of T2 so they could blow some poor SOB's bag and laptop to bits because he left it to go get a coffee. Great fun watching underwear,socks,CPUs\hard drive parts zinging around inside the terminal

 

Biggest problem with the general media---- lack of understanding how our business works so I applaude your effort to get information from those of us working airside.

 

Biggest TV ***** was seeing a piece at LBP Airport about how service vehicles were coming and going through a checkpoint without being searched. Risk management is a valid issue and I don't believe any airside worker or vehicle has been involved in any security issues.

We all have extensive background checks carried out down to the names of our parents, banking details and who knows what else before we are issued a red pass. If some minimum wage weenie with a badge thinks that they can determine our reliability and security risk then we are in big trouble.

 

And BR- who many people died when you took your ####-kickers off :shock:

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

[skudkid]

With a restrictive area pass issued for a certain station you must pass the CSIS security check and be finger printed every 5 years. For a Canada pass the security check is EVERY YEAR. Fair enough you jump through the hoops….. but when you go to work on another airline’s aircraft after being called by them with any kind of problem you must be wanded every time before being allowed to board. Now you carry a cell phone a 2 way radio tools screwdrivers a knife metal pens (plastic ones melt with skydrol) you are wearing steel toed boots and in the winter lots of clothes. Sometimes when trying to fix a problem you go on and off the aircraft many times. The problem arises when you need to get onto the aircraft in an emergency, there could be a possible fuel leak, a short circuit, or a hydraulic leak, maybe a fellow employee is hurt or trapped, could be a certain switch may not be in the correct position for a certain check. They still want to search you. Now don’t forget this is the same aircraft you have been on and off all night long while there was no one around, you even brought this aircraft to the gate and parked it, you did the security search and then signed your name to it in the log book.

 

As an AME I could call up the refueller, gas up the plane (be it a B747 or an A320), call the tower, taxi to the end of the runway for an engine run, all part of my job. If I was that sick it would be nothing to turn onto the runway and be gone before anyone could do anything. As one RCMP specialist said "it's a good job you're the good guys".

 

What’s wrong with this story? The “safe, trusted, security checked people” are being harassed trying to do their job. Now don’t forget you have unrestrictive access to any area of the aircraft outside, you signed the security check and the maintenance release that says the aircraft is safe to fly!!!!!!!! Save the time and energy for the real issues.

[Old Dog Flying]

And then there is the South Asian guard at YVR who delayed the flight for over an hour while he searched the AC capt and F/O...and he tried to confiscate the Capts wings because they were considered a weapon.

 

Or the non-english puke at SEA who could not understand that I wanted a physical check of my photo equipment...and his dumb-a##ed supervisor couldn't speak the laguage either.

 

And the large percentage of TSA security people in the USA who are illegal immigrants...and the theft that goes on amongst the security people when they get your unlocked checked bagage.

 

Sorry TQN but the security in the States stinks....did you hear about the WW2 fighter ace, aged 84 years who was flying from Pheonix to NYC to give a talk to a veterns organization and the TSA puke confiscated the guy's Congressional Medal of Honor...and the National Guard guys did not even know what the medal was all about.

 

Talk about security...as the guy sez...pay them dirt and you gits dirt....

 

Barney

[CD]

Sorry TQN but the security in the States stinks....did you hear about the WW2 fighter ace, aged 84 years who was flying from Pheonix to NYC to give a talk to a veterns organization and the TSA puke confiscated the guy's Congressional Medal of Honor...and the National Guard guys did not even know what the medal was all about.

 

To be fair, that incident happened in February 2002.

 

PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) -- Retired Gen. Joe Foss, 86, one of the most highly decorated U.S. war veterans, recently was detained at a security checkpoint at the Phoenix, Arizona, airport because he was carrying an item with sharp edges.

 

The sharp object turned out to be the Congressional Medal of Honor, which he had received in 1943 from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

 

Decorated WWII veteran detained, searched at airport

[transquebecniece]

And the large percentage of TSA security people in the USA who are illegal immigrants...and the theft that goes on amongst the security people when they get your unlocked checked bagage. Talk about security...as the guy sez...pay them dirt and you gits dirt....Barney

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You won't get ANY argument from me there, Barney! And it's not just a problem with airport baggage personnel. Since having personal possessions stolen while in transit and from hotel rooms, I won't let my laptop or camera equipment out of my sight. Not sure better pay is a deterrent as theft in hotels has occurred despite generous tips doled out as a hopeful diversion. With airlines, I just keep important stuff on my person or with carry-on. Unfortunately, some people are never taught to respect the property of others.

 

I can't help but think that General Foss' unfortunate run-in with overzealous airport security had a little to do with his gun-collector belt buckle, too---and not just his medal or nail file. Fairly close after 9/11, it's not surprising and I still have to side with security on that one despite the fact that he appears relatively harmless and the incident was a pain in the arse for him. Around about the same time, in mid-2002, I had to mail myself a silver/abalone fish-shaped bottle opener from DIA to home because it was confiscated. Not as valuable as a Congressional Medal of Honour, but just try opening a Corona on the beach with lava rock! Ha! It stole time away from me, but I could see their point: If I had to, I could've used it for a weapon. Could've given someone a nasty scratch with it.

 

BTW, nice article, CD! What a hero! Ironic that he was on his way to an NRA meeting and a speech for the cadets at West Point. Hoo-yah! :up: