As if we needed any more proof that the TSA is a joke, The New York Times reports on a recently uncovered gun smuggling ring which used a baggage handler to bring guns into Atlanta airport which were then handed off to a courier to take on the plane to New York. Over seven months, the ring smuggled 153 weapons over 17 separate flights, including AK-47s.
Critics of the TSA have been harping, ever since the beginning of the numerous gaping holes in TSA security, the lack of screening of airport support staff being one of them. The TSA has always replied back that they practice defense in depth and that they have a bunch of sooper sekret measures to keep airports secure.
I can’t think of a more embarrassing way to demonstrate what an expensive boondoggle the TSA has become and how it’s failed at it’s most basic core mission.
I’m just boggled by the idea that the guys risked federal prosecution to smuggle guns from Atlanta to New York under circumstances where people are actively searching for guns. They couldn’t just take a few days off and DRIVE THERE?
This was my first thought. It would take what, 10 hours, to make the drive and they could have hauled as many guns as they wanted? I’m guessing they would have to be so certain of not getting caught that the risk was worth the few hours saved. Doesn’t say much for the risk of capture created by the TSA.
I do have to point out though, they did catch the guys. The whole concept of airplane security is built on dividing the trustworthy people from the rest of us suspicious schlubs then never checking up on those that passed the test. Maybe this will help.
This was my first thought as well. You could rent a van that could hold all 153 guns and then some, and drive it through the Holland Tunnel without anybody even looking at you funny.
Yeah, I find that odd, too. Load up a nondescript minivan with guns, get a white driver who will obey the speed limit and it seems to me the odds of getting caught are virtually nil.
What we do in airports is Security Theater, not actual security.
Some experts state that the only actual effective security measures that we’ve added since 9/11 are more secure cockpit doors on aircraft and letting passengers know that they need to fight back in the face of terrorism.
If we want actual security, we’ll have to spend a LOT more money to get it, and it would become a LOT more inconvenient to travel by air. And I personally don’t think we are ready or willing to do that.
Agreed. Im no fan of TSA goons either, but it wasn’t like 153 guns were smuggled through the security checkpoint in someones underwear. It was an inside job.
As for driving, actually, that is very high risk. The “white van” as someone suggested could break down or get into an accident or get a flat tire, or lose a light which can get you pulled over by a nosy cop, and with the distance involved even riskier.
If you have an insider that can get them safely via airplane from checkpoint A to checkpoint B, why not?
Personally, I wonder if via train wouldn’t be the better option.
Anything coming into the luggage/cargo area should be subject to a security level at least equal (hopefully better) to what the passengers are subjected to.