I think everybody sort of agrees that airport security seems to be full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. The restrictions seem to cause a lot of difficulty for the average person, yet I don’t see how they are hindering terrorism in any way.
Well, it turns out, they don’t.
This guy basically pushes the envelope trying to see at what point he will be stopped by security. I don’t think he ever was. And when I say pushes the envelope, I don’t mean sneaking some nail clippers on. I’m talking about knives, rope, fake boarding passes, and ounces and ounces of unidentified liquids. At one point he had a tee-shirt that said “Osama Bin Laden, Hero of Islam” and a Hezbolla flag and the TSA agent searching his bag had no comment! My favorite part is when his friend had two 12 ounce containers of an unidentified liquid that he hand labeled, “saline solution”. The security guy said, “Why do you need two bottles of saline?” and he said “Two eyes.” He was allowed to pass unchecked.
In some cases, the illusion of security is worse than no security at all because people become complacent.
Link courtesy Tony.
Don’t read articles about the TSA; it will only make you furiously angry. Though I must say I always dream of doing what this guy does. Way to open with some Shakespeare, too.
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Somehow I can see you doing it out of anybody I know.
And I think the TSA is a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.
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comforting. yep.
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In the article, he talks about wearing the “Beerbelly” through the screening point, and it mentions the women’s equivalent called the “Winerack.” That reminded me of something I once saw on the TSA website, when I was reading a full list of allowed/prohibited items. Little known fact: You are allowed to carry more than 3oz of liquid through airport security if it is contained in your bra “to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons.”
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm
So as long as you’re carrying 25oz of mystery liquid in your Winerack to make yourself appear more well-endowed, it’s technically allowed.
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Wow, that bra rule is a real loophole. I could put on a bra full of any liquid, claim it is for ‘cosmetic reasons’, and it would be totally within the rules. Not that I should even NEED loopholes to bring toothpaste onto a plane … must stop … rage looming …
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