0
AggieDave

Dem. Senators asking the TSA to go too far?

Recommended Posts

What do you think?

Clicky

Quote

Two senators want matches, lighters banned from plane cabins

ASSOCIATED PRESS


WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 — Two senators said on Tuesday that the Transportation Security Administration should reconsider its policy of allowing butane lighters and matches in the cabins of passenger airliners.

Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota said they're concerned that terrorists could use a disposable lighter or a match to ignite improvised explosives, such as jackets or pillows that have been chemically treated.
The senators sent a letter last fall asking the TSA to review the decision it made in February to allow passengers to carry two butane lighters and four books of matches onto planes.
On Dec. 2, then-TSA chief James Loy responded in a letter, saying, ''Allowing two small lighters and four books of matches for personal use has been determined to be an acceptable level of risk in the balance of protection and customer service.''
Wyden said Loy's response indicated a lax attitude toward security.
''Richard Reid was one good flare-up away from blowing a hole in the side of a jet and taking 200 people with him,'' said Wyden, referring to the convicted terrorist who tried to light a bomb in his shoe on a trans-Atlantic flight in December 2002. It was the smell of sulfur that alerted a flight attendant to Reid's attempt.
''The FBI said the belief is if he had a lighter instead of a match, it would have detonated,'' Dorgan said.
Dorgan and Wyden sent a letter on Monday to the acting head of the TSA, David Stone, asking for a careful review of the regulations. The TSA referred The Associated Press to Loy's letter for a response.


--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Maybe in a few years we'll just have to fly nekid and have all of our luggage Fed Ex'ed to our hotel...

Or we'll go to the airport, change into paper clothes provided by the airport (with fluffy slippers) and have all of our stuff flown seperately on cargo planes.

[:/]
--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
How about "I refuse to check anything unless absolutely necessary," so whether it's in my pocket or my carry on, my zippo flies with me.

It's bad enough they want me to use a friggin electric razor, but this? I mean come on.
witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Ok, so a nail clipper ain't allowed...but lighters and matches are?
I don't get it...
I actually thought lighters where forbidden anyway. What happens if my "made in taiwan" lighter should explode because of pressure changes in the cabin? (unlikely, but still...)
A hairspray and a lighter can make fine weapon too.:o

What do you think is more plausible?
19 terrorists blowing up 19 planes simultaniously with a lighter and some explosives that dont set of the metal detector, or 19 terrorists hijacking planes with nail clippers?

As been said before, what do you need a lighter for in a commercial airplane? (unless one are allowed to smoke ofcourse)

Of course it will be very difficult stop somebody from taking a matchbox aboard a plane. Metal detectors won't detect them....[:/]

There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Quote

As been said before, what do you need a lighter for in a commercial airplane?



So for the 3 hours after you check your bags and the other 2 hours you wait for your bags, you can go outside to have a smoke.
--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Well, comparing nail clippers to a plastic container of pressurized butane, I'd rather the guy sitting next to me had the nail clippers.

I bet I could make a pretty nice "down" jacket with nitrocellulose insulation, and set it off with matches or a lighter. Not sure of what I'd do with nail clippers if I wanted to damage the plane. Gross out the pilot with my toenail clippings, maybe:P
...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
The reason it is stupid and pointless is because if someone wanted to stick some matches up there ass, you're not going to find them without a cavity search. The only matches or lighters they will find are those that people have out in the open because they're not going to do anything with them anyway.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

0