college student challenges airport security with disturbing results - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

phredgreen · 10-19-2003, 01:52 AM

Quote:

<i>originally found here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...lanes_searched</i>

<b>Suspect Warned of Contraband on Planes </b>

WASHINGTON - A college student who the FBI believes hid box cutters and other banned items aboard two Southwest Airlines planes had warned government officials he would try to bring forbidden articles onto commercial flights to expose holes in security.

A federal law enforcement official confirmed Saturday that investigators are interviewing Nathaniel T. Heatwole of Greensboro, N.C., to learn how he got through airport screeners while also carrying bleach, matches, modeling clay and notes detailing his intention to test security.

A Bush administration official said the suspected perpetrator last month sent the government an e-mail warning of his intention to conceal similar suspicious items on six planes and provided dates and locations for the plan.

Federal authorities "reviewed the correspondence and determined this individual did not pose an imminent threat to national security," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Heatwole, a 20-year-old junior at Guilford College in Greensboro, told the Greensboro News & Record he had been interviewed by the FBI in connection with the Southwest Airlines incidents Thursday night.

"I have a ton of stuff I'd like to say, but ... I have to work with government before I work with the media," Heatwole told the newspaper in an interview from his home in Damascus, Md.

Guilford is a Quaker college with a history of pacifism and civil disobedience that dates to the Civil War.

Heatwole is not a Quaker, but shares many of the tenets of their religion, including a belief in pacifism, according to a February 2002 interview with The Guilfordian, the campus newspaper.

Heatwole refused to register for the draft when he turned 18 as required by law, according to the newspaper. Instead, he returned a blank registration form to the Selective Service System along with a letter explaining his opposition.

"I wanted to let them hear the voice of dissent," he said, "just in case they were listening."

The suspect was identified through a database search that linked the bags found on the planes to the e-mail, the Transportation Security Administration said.

An FBI statement said legal proceedings were expected Monday in federal court in Baltimore. Government prosecutors still were trying to determine what charges they might bring.

Southwest Airlines maintenance workers found small plastic bags containing box cutters and other items in lavatory compartments on planes in New Orleans and Houston. Notes in the bags "indicated the items were intended to challenge Transportation Security Administration checkpoint security procedures," according to a statement from Southwest Airlines.

Each note also included precise information about where and when the items were placed on board the aircraft, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity. That information has not been made public, so it's unclear how long the items were aboard the planes.

The discovery triggered stepped-up inspections of the entire U.S. commercial air fleet — roughly 7,000 planes. By Friday night, after consulting with the FBI, the TSA rescinded the inspection order.

No other such bags were found in the inspection.

The aviation security system has undergone enormous changes since the Sept. 11 attacks, in which 19 hijackers used box cutters to take over four planes. Gaps remain, however. Government officials acknowledge X-ray machines can miss plastic explosives and box cutters. Airport workers who have access to planes are not screened, nor is much of the cargo that goes aboard commercial flights.

Undercover federal investigators who recently tested security were able to sneak weapons past screeners.

The modeling clay found aboard the Southwest planes was made to look like an explosive, while the bleach could have been used to demonstrate how a corrosive or dangerous liquid could be smuggled aboard a plane.

Al Aitken, a member of the Airline Pilots' Security Alliance, said if someone can send the government an e-mail about testing the security system "and then actually do it, then you know the real bad guys can get the appropriate explosive components onto the airplanes for a repeat of the Sept. 11 attacks."

now i've been on the inside of airport security, even after the attacks in 2001. i've seen oversights, ignorance, and sheer lack of intelligence that has allowed many bad things to happen, yet it continues. i haven't had the opputunity to do so, but i know that international air travel, especially in eastern europe and the middle east is a secure affair (just once i wanna fly el al airlines, with armed security guards on each flight), where serious consequenses come from committing actions such as those this student committed, not just a slap on the wrist and a pat on the butt as they send you away as you find here.

when the tsa starts taking airport security seriously, you will see a real change, but at what cost? how does reading this article make you feel? have you ever "tested" airport screeners? discuss...

phredgreen · 10-19-2003, 02:12 AM

a qucik post-script, here is a link to a story detailing just how fucking sharp el al is:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...28/wair328.xml

i so wanna fly them.

TheBrit · 10-19-2003, 02:52 AM

I had a 12" wrench in my hand luggage which I knew they were not going to let through. I just put it in a metal box, in the same bag as my laptop. They didn't ask me to boot the laptop or anything, I just walked straight through. A nun next to me had her keyring removed, as it had a sharp cross attached to it. At least they offered to let her pay international postage for it.
EDIT:
Forgot, I didn't exactly walk straight through, they took my boots and checked them for whatever. I have flown 6 times since Sept 11, each time I have been pulled over and checked. I have a really semitic background, that may have something to do with it

.

lurkette · 10-19-2003, 04:45 AM

I've also noticed that security measures regarding checked baggage varies from airline to airline. Some search it, others just run it through a machine.

I have a metal purse made of recycled license plates that they didn't even hand search. I'm assuming that because it's metal the xray machine at security probably wouldn't work on it, so who knows what I might have had in there. Or maybe they could see into it. Either way, it's fucking scary how lax they are.

Nefir · 10-19-2003, 07:04 AM

Every time I've flown out of New York after Sept 11, I've had to take off my shoes and my belt. I can live with that, but the laziness and total lack of responsibility of security staff really gets to me.

Most recently, I was forced to stand in line with all the middle-eastern men, waiting for someone to check us. We stood there for like 15 minutes, corraled between those little tape barriers. Naturally, the security staff were all extremely lazy, callous, and disrespectful. Eventually the manager saw what was going on and started yelling at the staff, and I finally got checked, but not without receiving dirty looks as it its my fault they got in trouble for being asshats.

What is the minimum education needed to get a job like this? High school?

I am glad this college student did what he did. I hope he doesn't take too much heat for it. If the companies airlines are hiring to take care of security are not doing their job, someone must expose them so that EVERYONE knows what the problems are, and not just the terrorists.

sta500 · 10-19-2003, 01:15 PM

It's never going to be perfect. Nothing is. They need to improve the security procedures once it happens on the plane, not before. That being said, I flew out to Colorado and back with a 4" lockblade knife in the outer pocket of my backpack. Didn't get stopped once. On the way back, however, I got stopped for the tool to tighten the bindings on my screwdriver. It was in the same pocket as the knife, and they JUST TOOK OUT THE SCREWDRIVER. Fucked up.

psicon · 10-20-2003, 12:44 AM

The national security is a joke we as a nation is to relaxed when it comes to things like this.

GakFace · 10-20-2003, 01:09 AM

I'll be pissed if anything happens to that guy. He didn't hijack or anything, He just alerted and then proceeded to do so. He proved that Airports aren't doing their job. If anyone should have charges brought upon them, it should be the airports that let him go thru scot free.

Averett · 10-20-2003, 04:42 AM

I'll be pissed as well if something happens to him.

Airport security is a joke, and it will continue to be.

Troublebot · 10-20-2003, 06:46 AM

Airlines look at how hightened security will effect their bottom line. Will searching each bag and pulling out lockblades and other items bother costumers and make them want to fly someone else? Will placing air marshals on board take up a seat that we could sell instead? will hiring better trained sercurity cut into our profits? Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes to all these questions. Airlines look at their profits and deside to let things slide.

I flew out of LAX about a month after the 9/11 attacks. There were lines to get through security that were a quarter mile long. Once you got there, anything metal on your person had to be removed and put into your carry on. Shoes had to be removed, no exceptions.

The funny thing is, no one complained. Everyone understood why it was being done and appreciated the added concern for their safety. It's a shame that travelers have reverted so quickly and that the airlines have let them.

If such a paradigm shift can't occur after 3,000 people die, what will it take?

MacGnG · 10-20-2003, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by phredgreen
a qucik post-script, here is a link to a story detailing just how fucking sharp el al is:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...28/wair328.xml
i so wanna fly them.

el al's security has always been more strict than other airlines
i think it's kinda silly that no one did anything after the email was sent, at least contact the guy or something

oberon · 10-20-2003, 09:51 AM

You know, I think the whole security checkpoint thing is fundamentally flawed.

Here's why. Humans are not capable of identifying devices that are actually dangerous. For example, something could be a laptop but actually be a bomb hidden in the laptop case. Or a camera. etc. Sure, metal detectors probably work on most of those, but not all. What about biological weapons?

And so it goes. The biggest purpose the security checkpoint serves is to provide a false sense of security.

That said, security guards CAN do something. But they won't stop a trained terrorist from taking over a plane. Isn't that the whole point of the TSA?

sandeep · 10-20-2003, 10:09 AM

This article just reminded me of a hacker emailing a sysadmin about a flaw in the operating system he's running, then continuing to show him.

Perhaps I'm just a big nerd, but that was all I could think of when I read the article.

"Real Life Hackers"

now there's a FOX special for you. or perhaps TechTV...

GakFace · 10-20-2003, 01:38 PM

Sure it couldn't stop someone who really planned to steal a plane.. But I mean boxcutters? You could at least prevent those.. let alone BAGS of them. ugh

Captain Canada · 10-20-2003, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GakFace
I'll be pissed if anything happens to that guy. He didn't hijack or anything, He just alerted and then proceeded to do so. He proved that Airports aren't doing their job. If anyone should have charges brought upon them, it should be the airports that let him go thru scot free.

I dont see what charges they could bring against him really. Other then COMPLETE bullshit ones.

10-19-2003, 02:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
phredgreen who? Location: the phoenix metro	a qucik post-script, here is a link to a story detailing just how fucking sharp el al is: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...28/wair328.xml i so wanna fly them. __________________ My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. - Thomas Paine

10-19-2003, 02:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheBrit Psycho	I had a 12" wrench in my hand luggage which I knew they were not going to let through. I just put it in a metal box, in the same bag as my laptop. They didn't ask me to boot the laptop or anything, I just walked straight through. A nun next to me had her keyring removed, as it had a sharp cross attached to it. At least they offered to let her pay international postage for it. EDIT: Forgot, I didn't exactly walk straight through, they took my boots and checked them for whatever. I have flown 6 times since Sept 11, each time I have been pulled over and checked. I have a really semitic background, that may have something to do with it . Last edited by TheBrit; 10-19-2003 at 02:55 AM..

10-19-2003, 04:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	I've also noticed that security measures regarding checked baggage varies from airline to airline. Some search it, others just run it through a machine. I have a metal purse made of recycled license plates that they didn't even hand search. I'm assuming that because it's metal the xray machine at security probably wouldn't work on it, so who knows what I might have had in there. Or maybe they could see into it. Either way, it's fucking scary how lax they are. __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

10-19-2003, 07:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nefir Junkie Location: Louisville, KY	Every time I've flown out of New York after Sept 11, I've had to take off my shoes and my belt. I can live with that, but the laziness and total lack of responsibility of security staff really gets to me. Most recently, I was forced to stand in line with all the middle-eastern men, waiting for someone to check us. We stood there for like 15 minutes, corraled between those little tape barriers. Naturally, the security staff were all extremely lazy, callous, and disrespectful. Eventually the manager saw what was going on and started yelling at the staff, and I finally got checked, but not without receiving dirty looks as it its my fault they got in trouble for being asshats. What is the minimum education needed to get a job like this? High school? I am glad this college student did what he did. I hope he doesn't take too much heat for it. If the companies airlines are hiring to take care of security are not doing their job, someone must expose them so that EVERYONE knows what the problems are, and not just the terrorists. __________________ You do not use a Macintosh, instead you use a Tandy Kompressor break your glowstick, Kompressor eat your candy Kompressor open jaws, Kompressor release ants Kompressor watch you scream, Because Kompressor does not dance Last edited by Nefir; 10-19-2003 at 07:22 AM..

10-20-2003, 01:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
GakFace Go Ninja, Go Ninja Go!! Location: IN, USA	I'll be pissed if anything happens to that guy. He didn't hijack or anything, He just alerted and then proceeded to do so. He proved that Airports aren't doing their job. If anyone should have charges brought upon them, it should be the airports that let him go thru scot free. __________________ RoboBlaster: Welcome to the club! Not that I'm in the club. And there really isn'a a club in the first place. But if there was a club and if I was in it, I would definitely welcome you to it.

10-19-2003, 01:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
sta500 Tilted	It's never going to be perfect. Nothing is. They need to improve the security procedures once it happens on the plane, not before. That being said, I flew out to Colorado and back with a 4" lockblade knife in the outer pocket of my backpack. Didn't get stopped once. On the way back, however, I got stopped for the tool to tighten the bindings on my screwdriver. It was in the same pocket as the knife, and they JUST TOOK OUT THE SCREWDRIVER. Fucked up.

10-20-2003, 12:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
psicon Tilted Location: In my own little world.	The national security is a joke we as a nation is to relaxed when it comes to things like this.

10-20-2003, 04:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	I'll be pissed as well if something happens to him. Airport security is a joke, and it will continue to be. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-20-2003, 06:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
Troublebot Intently Rocking Location: Davey's	Airlines look at how hightened security will effect their bottom line. Will searching each bag and pulling out lockblades and other items bother costumers and make them want to fly someone else? Will placing air marshals on board take up a seat that we could sell instead? will hiring better trained sercurity cut into our profits? Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes to all these questions. Airlines look at their profits and deside to let things slide. I flew out of LAX about a month after the 9/11 attacks. There were lines to get through security that were a quarter mile long. Once you got there, anything metal on your person had to be removed and put into your carry on. Shoes had to be removed, no exceptions. The funny thing is, no one complained. Everyone understood why it was being done and appreciated the added concern for their safety. It's a shame that travelers have reverted so quickly and that the airlines have let them. If such a paradigm shift can't occur after 3,000 people die, what will it take? __________________ Howard Moon: The wind is my only friend. Wind: [whistling] I hate you.

10-20-2003, 09:51 AM	#12 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	You know, I think the whole security checkpoint thing is fundamentally flawed. Here's why. Humans are not capable of identifying devices that are actually dangerous. For example, something could be a laptop but actually be a bomb hidden in the laptop case. Or a camera. etc. Sure, metal detectors probably work on most of those, but not all. What about biological weapons? And so it goes. The biggest purpose the security checkpoint serves is to provide a false sense of security. That said, security guards CAN do something. But they won't stop a trained terrorist from taking over a plane. Isn't that the whole point of the TSA? __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

10-20-2003, 10:09 AM	#13 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	This article just reminded me of a hacker emailing a sysadmin about a flaw in the operating system he's running, then continuing to show him. Perhaps I'm just a big nerd, but that was all I could think of when I read the article. "Real Life Hackers" now there's a FOX special for you. or perhaps TechTV...

10-20-2003, 01:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
GakFace Go Ninja, Go Ninja Go!! Location: IN, USA	Sure it couldn't stop someone who really planned to steal a plane.. But I mean boxcutters? You could at least prevent those.. let alone BAGS of them. ugh __________________ RoboBlaster: Welcome to the club! Not that I'm in the club. And there really isn'a a club in the first place. But if there was a club and if I was in it, I would definitely welcome you to it.