Study Shows Airlines Now Safer For Terrorists

Dave B · October 5, 2001, 11:17 AM

Just to stir things up.

From: http://www.sierratimes.com/archive/.../armp092701.htm

Study Shows Airlines Now Safer For Terrorists
By Michael Parker 09.27.01

…Reality Check Number 1- Any terrorist who wants to bring a weapon on board an airplane will do so.

Although your average large mouth bass could figure it out with only marginal difficulty, this truth seems to have slipped past the FAA. It may not be politically correct. It may not be fashionable. It's certainly not comfortable. But it's true. Doubters are free to look in my suitcase. If we intend to combat terrorism, we must shake ourselves out of the ridiculous fantasy that criminals can be disarmed. They cannot. Living in denial will not help us. Any terrorist who wants a weapon on board an airplane will have one. The point is indisputable and non-negotiable. Until we work up the courage to deal with that reality, every other effort we make is tantamount to re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Reality Check Number 2: You cannot stop crime by disarming the future victims.

Terrorists now enjoy more safety than ever before. If I were a terrorist, I could easily have commandeered any of four different airplanes - this weekend alone - with the help of one or two co-conspirators. I could have armed as many as three other criminals with deadly weapons, and still kept the largest knife for myself. And most importantly, there was no need to smuggle a gun on board because all of my would-be victims had already been disarmed by FAA regulations…

There was also a story in today's paper about a guy who got a duffel bag containing a 20Ga. shotgun (broken down) with ammunition through security at the Colorado Springs Muni. Airport yesterday. He didn't get on a plane, but he did get through the checks.

db

labgrade · October 5, 2001, 07:27 PM

No question, Dave, but we are entitled to our illusions.

Reality is how one perceives it, except for this hard, cold reality is liable to get up & bite some poor folks right in the butt.

Somehow Pink Floyd's Animals/Sheep comes to mind.

October 5, 2001, 11:17 AM	#1
Dave B Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 1999 Location: NW Colorado Posts: 240	Study Shows Airlines Now Safer For Terrorists Just to stir things up. From: http://www.sierratimes.com/archive/.../armp092701.htm Study Shows Airlines Now Safer For Terrorists By Michael Parker 09.27.01 …Reality Check Number 1- Any terrorist who wants to bring a weapon on board an airplane will do so. Although your average large mouth bass could figure it out with only marginal difficulty, this truth seems to have slipped past the FAA. It may not be politically correct. It may not be fashionable. It's certainly not comfortable. But it's true. Doubters are free to look in my suitcase. If we intend to combat terrorism, we must shake ourselves out of the ridiculous fantasy that criminals can be disarmed. They cannot. Living in denial will not help us. Any terrorist who wants a weapon on board an airplane will have one. The point is indisputable and non-negotiable. Until we work up the courage to deal with that reality, every other effort we make is tantamount to re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Reality Check Number 2: You cannot stop crime by disarming the future victims. Terrorists now enjoy more safety than ever before. If I were a terrorist, I could easily have commandeered any of four different airplanes - this weekend alone - with the help of one or two co-conspirators. I could have armed as many as three other criminals with deadly weapons, and still kept the largest knife for myself. And most importantly, there was no need to smuggle a gun on board because all of my would-be victims had already been disarmed by FAA regulations… There was also a story in today's paper about a guy who got a duffel bag containing a 20Ga. shotgun (broken down) with ammunition through security at the Colorado Springs Muni. Airport yesterday. He didn't get on a plane, but he did get through the checks. db

October 5, 2001, 07:27 PM	#2
labgrade Senior Member Emeritus Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,356	No question, Dave, but we are entitled to our illusions. Reality is how one perceives it, except for this hard, cold reality is liable to get up & bite some poor folks right in the butt. Somehow Pink Floyd's Animals/Sheep comes to mind.