Has TSA *EVER* found a bomb at a security checkpoint?

[Fescue4u]

Or has TSA's equivalant ever found one?

Sure, they find knives, screwdrivers, and occasionally a gun carried by a forgetful police officer or politician.

But I have NEVER heard of them finding a bomb.

I have heard of planes blowing up in the sky, and I know that they found one on Richard Reid awhile back (and he was stopped by fellow passengers in flight)


Seems to me that we have to assume that either

1) Bombs are never brought on board or
2) Bombs are never detected at a security checkpoint.

[NVMojo]

1. GOOD QUESTION!!!!

[Ezlivin]

2. I'll vote on Number 2

Since they know that a bomb is easily carried aboard, they had to use deadly force.

[triguy46]

3. No, but they've seen millions of feet...

which is ludicrous. There was one demented lunatic trying to light his shoe so, in keeping with slamming the gate after the cows get out mentality of TSA, taking our shoes off is kind of the highest level of evaluation possible.

[Kingshakabobo]

4. Nope. Just some sex toys.

Rather embarassing......not for me.....for my "friend" I mean.

[Walt Starr]

5. Define "bomb"

There are several components to a bomb. Generally, there are five: Power, explosive, timer, wires, and igniter.

Explosives are difficult to pick out in a B&W X-ray machine, but extremely easy to pick out in a color X-ray machine. The presence of an explosive is enough to stop the person

Power can be supplied by any battery, so most of your bags will have this component. By itself or with any one the next two items, not enough of a reason to stop.

Wires are found in so many devices, most bags will also have this component. By itself or with any one the above or below items, not enough of a reason to stop.

Timers are a common item as well. By itself or with any one the above two items, not enough of a reason to stop.

Ignites are extremely difficult to pick out with any X-ray machine, although the trained eye can accomplish it.

Any three of the above five items in a single bag is enough to pull the bag for manual inspection.

This still does not take into account sneaking items on separately.

Best way to get a bomb on a flight is to pre-position the explosive and possibly the igniter, then have the timer, wiring, and power brought on by three separate individuals.

Edited to add: Even though policy would dictate manual checks on a bag with three of the five components, if those three are power, wires, and timer, most people manning the X-ray machine will let it pass.

[Fescue4u]

8. interesting post

Seems to me that the only items banned are the igniter and the explosive material itself.

And since both the material and igniter are fairly easy to get through, that doesnt bode well imo.

[Walt Starr]

11. Explosive is extremely difficult to get through in large airports

but easy as heck to get through in smaller airports that are only required to use B&W X-ray machines.

[Fescue4u]

12. But wouldnt the perp just carry it on his body?

Sure he wouldnt get past a patdown, but most folks don't get patdown.

[Walt Starr]

13. Damn, you figured it out

This is why explosive sniffers are so important now.

Like I said in another thread, TSA is only there to make passengers "feel good". It keeps honest people honest.

And yes, you would assemble the device on board. Best bet for doing this is to have a working battery powered electric shaver in your carry on luggage. The igniter can be easily hidden in this device with very little in the way of modification. Timer can be worn as a watch. Wires are in the shaver, too. with the explosives strapped to your body (remember, no X-ray of you), you go to the restroom with your shaving kit.

Of course, the person doing this must be a suicide bomber, too.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. 4 planes were hijacked in 2001 using box cutters. We have been

paying the price ever since. All of this shit has been done in the spirit of saving face and changing the subject since then.

[TomInTib]

7. Remember the college student with a grenade? His repuke

congressman was quick to his defense. "I know the family, this is a good kid. blahblahblah".

[MADem]

9. Lou Dobbs' wife was found with a large gun a few years back

Seriously!

And TSA found, and lost, a fake bomb that was part of a training exercise: http://www.hardnewscafe.usu.edu/archive/jan2005/012505_tsa.html

And here's an idiot who forgot about his "glorified firecracker" bomb: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-08-17-aviation-student_x.htm

[melm00se]

10. my shoes

set off the bomb detector (where they rub things down with the wand and stick the piece of cloth in) once...I figure it was from the fertilizer i put down on the lawn the day before.

Altho the reaction was priceless: all the TSA folks clustered around the machine and were wondering: "what do we do now?". they got out the manual and followed the instructions. re- ran my shoes and I was off to Dallas.

[MercutioATC]

14. Read THIS. THIS is what makes it through security screenings:

"Recent tests of airport security to determine whether screeners would discover concealed guns, knives, and simulated bombs had failure rates comparable to tests done in the 1980s and 1990s, says Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), who was briefed in April on the classified results. The earlier tests showed that screeners missed roughly 20 percent of the prohibited items at checkpoints and that screeners using X-ray machines to examine luggage missed 2 of every 3 bags carrying simulated explosives."

http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2004/07/06_400...