Camera PV 2007 » Digital Camera » Weird rules through BOS security
Weird rules through BOS security
Question:
> Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, > BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of > BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time > with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional > laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries > out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser > pointer.
Makes sense, ever read the warning on the box? http://www.princeton.edu/~ehs/laserpointer.html Paul
Response:
> Or is BOS really paranoid at the moment?
BOS has some of the poorest security in the U.S., according to random checks by the FAA. They’ve been flamed for this in the media, so maybe they are trying to do better. Unfortunately, it sounds like they are far too stupid to be able to do better.
Response:
> Makes sense, ever read the warning on the box? > http://www.princeton.edu/~ehs/laserpointer.html > Paul
A pencil or pen could also damage an eye. I don’t think those are banned. Even his pointer without the batteries could be used for that. I think security might have them confused with stronger lasers.
Response:
> > Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, > BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of > BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time > with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional > laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries > out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser > pointer. > Makes sense, ever read the warning on the box? > http://www.princeton.edu/~ehs/laserpointer.html
Of course I have read the warnings on the laser pointer. If it’s safe enough to be used in an auditorium containing thousands of watching eyes, I can’t see what the problem is inside an aircraft. Your comments have no relations to this specific issue of aircraft safety.
Response:
> > Or is BOS really paranoid at the moment? > BOS has some of the poorest security in the U.S., according to random > checks by the FAA. They’ve been flamed for this in the media, so maybe > they are trying to do better. Unfortunately, it sounds like they are > far too stupid to be able to do better.
That was my suspicion. A security group lacking in logic before the disaster has remained illogical following the disaster. I’d be more accepting if only they had a legitimate reason for confiscating those batteries.
Response:
> I’d be more accepting if only they had a legitimate reason for > confiscating those batteries.
Kimpo Airport (when I flew through that airport; now closed) confiscated batteries at security. I was told that this was to prevent battery "powered" bombs. Apparently a North Korean planted bomb had earlier blown up a plane conveying several South Korean government officials, so security at Kimpo was very sensitive towards this. Kenneth Lin
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, > > BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of > > BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time > > with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional > > laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries > > out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser > > pointer. > Makes sense, ever read the warning on the box? > http://www.princeton.edu/~ehs/laserpointer.html > Of course I have read the warnings on the laser pointer. > If it’s safe enough to be used in an auditorium containing thousands of > watching eyes, I can’t see what the problem is inside an aircraft. Your > comments have no relations to this specific issue of aircraft safety.
When using it in an auditorium, you probably aren’t deliberately trying to blind an audience or crew member by shining it in their eye. At least they returned the pointer.
Response:
> > BOS has some of the poorest security in the U.S., according to random > checks by the FAA.
I can’t judge this, but I find it rather odd that BOS would be singled out so easily and quickly. There is also more to airport security than just the security screeners at the passenger checkpoints. If random checks by FAA revealed that BOS had serious weakenesses in the past, how come the FAA didn’t force BOS to fix the problems ? What about all those other airports where crews and even pax were able to go through with illegal items and then report to the FAA their findings ? (and in one case, the civilian who reported the problem was sent to jail).
Response:
> Or is BOS really paranoid at the moment?
BOS is run by Massport, an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi, "You will never find such a haven of scum and corruption elsewhere in the Galaxy."
Response:
> > BOS has some of the poorest security in the U.S., according to random > > checks by the FAA. > I can’t judge this, but I find it rather odd that BOS would be singled out so > easily and quickly. There is also more to airport security than just the > security screeners at the passenger checkpoints.
True that. All airport personnel are in effect security officers who have to report and prevent security breaches, not just the guards at the scanners. > If random checks by FAA revealed that BOS had serious weakenesses in the past, > how come the FAA didn’t force BOS to fix the problems ?
They lectured them, they fined them, they publicized the problem, and they exposed BOS as the airport from which two of the hijacked aircraft departed. What more can the FAA do? > What about all those other airports where crews and even pax were able to go > through with illegal items and then report to the FAA their findings ? (and in > one case, the civilian who reported the problem was sent to jail).
Business as usual, unless you have darkish physical features.
Response:
> If random checks by FAA revealed that BOS > had serious weakenesses in the past, how > come the FAA didn’t force BOS to fix the > problems ?
I don’t know. Perhaps they fined the airlines (who pay for security). > What about all those other airports where > crews and even pax were able to go through > with illegal items and then report to the > FAA their findings ?
Just typical American airport security: all show and no substance.
Response:
> When using it in an auditorium, you probably aren’t deliberately trying to > blind an audience or crew member by shining it in their eye. At least > they returned the pointer.
Assuming that is the reason of concern, they could at least inform passengers of their prohibition prior to security check. All we’ve been warned are sharp objects and inflammable items.
Response:
In article > I’d be more accepting if only they had a legitimate reason for > confiscating those batteries. > Kimpo Airport (when I flew through that airport; now closed) confiscated > batteries at security. I was told that this was to prevent battery "powered" > bombs. > Apparently a North Korean planted bomb had earlier blown up a plane > conveying several South Korean government officials, so security at Kimpo > was very sensitive towards this.
Sure thing. But in the same bag I had a digital camera and a laptop, given me a total of three high capacity Li-ion batteries. Those button batteries wouldn’t even rank if I really was up to something.
Response:
> Business as usual, unless you have darkish physical features.
Doesn’t that constitute some 25-35% of the US population?
Response:
Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser pointer. Fortunately for me they were comfortable with my digital camera, laptop computer, two chargers, various cables etc. Given that I have had no problems at any of the other security check points with the same set of items, I couldn’t work out what the problem was with the laser pointer. The only difference I noticed at BOS was the fact that they didn’t have one of those explosive sniffer. Anyone know of a good reason? Or is BOS really paranoid at the moment?
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, >BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of >BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time >with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional >laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries >out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser >pointer. Fortunately for me they were comfortable with my digital >camera, laptop computer, two chargers, various cables etc. >Given that I have had no problems at any of the other security check >points with the same set of items, I couldn’t work out what the problem >was with the laser pointer. >The only difference I noticed at BOS was the fact that they didn’t have >one of those explosive sniffer. >Anyone know of a good reason? Or is BOS really paranoid at the moment?
From what I have been encountering the "security rules or at least their application are different at every airport. I don’t think that is much different than what it was before. It sure would be great if the same rules were applied across the board. this applies to carry-ons also. I am sure the public would find it easier to understand if all of the airports had the same rules, we would all know what to expect. Again it seems the airlines are applying their own rules in some sense, especially with the carry-on issue. The carry-on issue should be taken out of the equation for a way to get more customers. Rip the doors off the overhead bins, and we would not have to worry about carry-ons. "Forward into the past" Soft items only in the overhead "shelf". Wayne
Response:
>After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time >with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional >laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries >out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser >pointer.
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Any minimum-wage, dropout "security guard" who takes it upon himself to unilaterally confiscate =anything= of mine is going to get slapped with a criminal theft charge, not to mention a likely fist in the face. It’s one thing if they said, "You’ll have to get rid of the batteries to get through here, and if you like, we’d be happy to take them." But they cannot just confiscate people’s property willy-nilly. All this pseudo-security (such as the plastic dinner knife ban) in the wake of September 11th is really pissing me off. It’s about time the sheeple, erm people, stood up for themselves and refused to accept this crapola. . : … :::. :::. .::::::.:::::::::::::::. ;;,. ;;; .;;;;;;;.`;;;;, `;;;;;;` `;;;;;;;;””;;`;; [[[[, ,[[[[, ,[[ [[,[[[[[. ‘[[‘[==/[[[[, [[ ,[[ ‘[[, 888 Y88" 888o"888,_ _,88P888 Y88 88b dP 88, 888 888, MMM M’ "MMM "YMMMMMP" MMM YM "YMmMY" MMM YMM ""` . : :::. .,-::::: ::: . ;;,. ;;; ;;`;; ,;;;’““’ ;;; .;;,. [[[[, ,[[[[, ,[[ ‘[[, [[[ [[[[[/’ 888 Y88" 888o888 888,`88bo,__,o,"888"88o, MMM M’ "MMMYMM ""` "YUMMMMMP"MMM "MMP" Former leader of FlameNet (est. 1995) =+= 1997 alt.flame Awards nominee
Response:
>It is worth recalling that BOS was the departure point for a couple of >the terroist attacks, has a (well deserved) reputation for piss poor >security, and now needs to appear to be "doing something".
Recall though that Mohammed Atta, that son-of-a-bitch who killed my friend on AA11 cleared security at PWM, Portland (Maine) "International Jetport" before his flight on American Eagle to Logan, where "it" et al transferred (within the planeside/"secure" area) to AA11. Thus Logan security, as shitty as it is (thanks be to the Great and Glorious Commonwealth and its political sleaziness!), is only as much as fault as those of EWR, IAD and PWM. Even if the box-cutters were "snuck" onto the plane, it was, on the morning of 11 September, 2001, perfectly legal to carry box-cutters, baseball bats, hockey sticks and ski poles into the cabin of an airliner operating within the confines of these United States. -Erik
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’d be more accepting if only they had a legitimate reason for > confiscating those batteries. >Kimpo Airport (when I flew through that airport; now closed) confiscated >batteries at security. I was told that this was to prevent battery "powered" >bombs. >Apparently a North Korean planted bomb had earlier blown up a plane >conveying several South Korean government officials, so security at Kimpo >was very sensitive towards this. >Kenneth Lin
I would be interested to know whether they confiscated all laptop batteries. This battery fetish seems to be particular to BA, but now you provide an additional player.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, > BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of > BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time > with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional > laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries > out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser > pointer. >Makes sense, ever read the warning on the box? >http://www.princeton.edu/~ehs/laserpointer.html >Paul
Yup. That puts it right up there with plastic bags, marbles, and asprin. Are you suggesting that a group of laser pointer wielding terrorists are likely to take over the plane?
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Just got back on a RTW trip on Star. Flew through SIN, FRA, ZRH, IAD, >BOS, SAN, SNA and SFO. Have had no problems with security except out of >BOS… After having my same briefcase X-rayed four times, each time >with a few items taken out, they finally decided that my functional >laser pointer was a security risk. They took the three button batteries >out and confiscated the batteries but returned the actual laser >pointer. Fortunately for me they were comfortable with my digital >camera, laptop computer, two chargers, various cables etc. >Given that I have had no problems at any of the other security check >points with the same set of items, I couldn’t work out what the problem >was with the laser pointer. >The only difference I noticed at BOS was the fact that they didn’t have >one of those explosive sniffer. >Anyone know of a good reason? Or is BOS really paranoid at the moment?
It is worth recalling that BOS was the departure point for a couple of the terroist attacks, has a (well deserved) reputation for piss poor security, and now needs to appear to be "doing something". The appearance is the objective, not the elimination of hazzard. Much as with the photogenic deployment of Nation Guardsmen to stand around the security entrances to airports, finding new risks to remove is in the eye of the beholder.
Response:
> > When using it in an auditorium, you probably aren’t deliberately trying to > blind an audience or crew member by shining it in their eye. At least > they returned the pointer. > Assuming that is the reason of concern, they could at least inform > passengers of their prohibition prior to security check. All we’ve been > warned are sharp objects and inflammable items.
For you to damage the eyes of someone. It would be easier to damage them with a pen. Michael
Response:
> For you to damage the eyes of someone. It would be easier to damage them > with a pen.
Or a sharp fingernail, which you could have otherwise clipped off if they let you have your nail clippers. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Response:
> Doesn’t that constitute some 25-35% of the US population?
It depends on what you call dark.
Response:
>> Doesn’t that constitute some 25-35% of the US population? > It depends on what you call dark.
Darker than 65-75% of the population. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu