Posted on 02/19/2011 10:43:40 PM PST by MamaDearest
An undercover TSA agent was able to get through security at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport with a handgun during testing of the enhanced-imaging body scanners, according to a high-ranking, inside source at the Transportation Security Administration.
The source said the undercover agent carried a pistol in her undergarments when she put the body scanners to the test. The officer successfully made it through the airport's body scanners every time she tried, the source said. "In this case, where they had a test, and it was just a dismal failure as I'm told," said Larry Wansley, former head of security at American Airlines. "As I've heard (it), you got a problem, especially with a fire arm."
Wansley said covert testing by the TSA is commonplace -- although failing should be rare.
The TSA insider who blew the whistle on the test also said that none of the TSA agents who failed to spot the gun on the scanned image were disciplined. The source said the agents continue to work the body scanners today. Wansley said that is a problem.
"This was only a test, but it's critically important that you do something, because if that person failed in the real environment, then you have a problem," he said.
The TSA did not deny that the tests took place or the what the results were. The agency would only provide the following statement:
"Our security officers are one of the most heavily tested federal workforces in the nation. We regularly test our officers in a variety of ways to ensure the effectiveness of our technology, security measures and the overall layered system. For security reasons, we do not publicize or comment on the results of covert tests, however advanced imaging technology is an effective tool to detect both metallic and nonmetallic items hidden on passengers."
TSA agents who spoke to a reporter agreed that the body-imaging scanners are effective -- but only if the officers monitoring them are paying attentio
That’s great, expensive pieces of equipment are only as good as their useless operators.
It is all theater.
I am certain that once they are unionized there will be better security.
/Sarc
What’s the point in TSA making this public? Even more intrusive screenings? Will everybody now have every orifice groped and probed?
Why don’t those “statements” EVER read, “Hey, we f&*ked up. Big time. We’re sorry!”;)
Time to bring back private contractors.
It's that balloon boy again!
Now one wonders if the woman ever wears a bikini. LOL, a black object against a black back ground, who would have thought it.
The time when this would have been significant was BEFORE TSA spent millions on these machines and forced millions of Americans to pass through them like cattle at meat processing plants.
Those “Indians” look Italian. Must be from Hollywood’s heyday.
Indians from TV show F troop.
Of course this will mean being screened by the scanners followed by a full patdown (otherwise known as sexual harassment) for everyone. Oh joy.
In the meantime, the TSA can tell you with 100% certainty whether a pretty girls boobs are real or fake.
The operator(s) were either blind, or it was one stinky gun.
If you consider the fact that these devices have nothing to do with security, and everything to do with conditioning Americans to behave in an ever more sheep-like manner, you'll see that they've been nothing but a rousing success. After the first uproar, things returned to business as usual.
I will never submit to this. I will file assault charges against any TSA asshole who tries to feel me up. I'm ashamed to be an American.
Thread bump.
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