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TSA Source - Armed Agent slips past DFW body scanner
nbcdfw.com ^ | February 18, 2011 | Grant Stinchfield

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


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: armed; dfw; donutwatch; scanner; tsa; tsapervs

1 posted on 02/19/2011 10:43:42 PM PST by MamaDearest
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To: MamaDearest

That’s great, expensive pieces of equipment are only as good as their useless operators.


2 posted on 02/19/2011 10:50:09 PM PST by wastedyears (It has nothing to do with safety, and everything to do with control.)
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To: MamaDearest

It is all theater.


3 posted on 02/19/2011 10:52:31 PM PST by Kirkwood (Zombie Hunter)
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To: MamaDearest

I am certain that once they are unionized there will be better security.

/Sarc


4 posted on 02/19/2011 11:00:38 PM PST by NoLibZone (Impeach Obama. Then try him for treason.)
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To: MamaDearest

What’s the point in TSA making this public? Even more intrusive screenings? Will everybody now have every orifice groped and probed?


5 posted on 02/19/2011 11:09:07 PM PST by Carling (Obama: Inexperienced and incompetent, yet ego maniacal. God help us all.)
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To: MamaDearest

Why don’t those “statements” EVER read, “Hey, we f&*ked up. Big time. We’re sorry!”;)


6 posted on 02/19/2011 11:10:42 PM PST by Frank_2001
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To: MamaDearest
The TSA are a bunch of morons who would normally be working at Subway or Pizza Hut but instead get to wear uniforms and boss around and feel up people with real jobs that need to get somewhere they cant drive to.

Time to bring back private contractors.

7 posted on 02/19/2011 11:13:02 PM PST by Rome2000 (OBAMA IS A COMMUNIST CRYPTO-MUSLIM)
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To: MamaDearest
Simply a “justification” to move forward with adding the cavity search to their repertoire.
8 posted on 02/19/2011 11:19:08 PM PST by RedCell (Honor thy Father (9/6/07) - Semper Fi / "...it is their duty, to throw off such government...")
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To: MamaDearest

It's that balloon boy again!

9 posted on 02/19/2011 11:27:58 PM PST by BerryDingle (I know how to deal with communists, I still wear their scars on my back from Hollywood-Ronald Reagan)
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To: MamaDearest

Now one wonders if the woman ever wears a bikini. LOL, a black object against a black back ground, who would have thought it.


10 posted on 02/20/2011 1:34:22 AM PST by org.whodat
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To: MamaDearest

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.


11 posted on 02/20/2011 3:05:28 AM PST by Iron Munro ("Our country's founders cherished liberty, not democracy." -- Ron Paul)
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To: BerryDingle

Those “Indians” look Italian. Must be from Hollywood’s heyday.


12 posted on 02/20/2011 3:06:58 AM PST by dennisw (- - - -He who does not economize will have to agonize - - - - - Confucius)
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To: dennisw

“Indians” from TV show F troop.


13 posted on 02/20/2011 3:58:48 AM PST by Vaduz
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To: MamaDearest

Of course this will mean being screened by the scanners followed by a full patdown (otherwise known as sexual harassment) for everyone. Oh joy.


14 posted on 02/20/2011 4:00:20 AM PST by saganite (What happens to taglines? Is there a termination date?)
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To: MamaDearest

In the meantime, the TSA can tell you with 100% certainty whether a pretty girls boobs are real or fake.


15 posted on 02/20/2011 4:07:07 AM PST by albie
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To: wastedyears

The operator(s) were either blind, or it was one stinky gun.


16 posted on 02/20/2011 5:08:54 AM PST by ScoochDude
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To: wastedyears
That’s great, expensive pieces of equipment are only as good as their useless operators.

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.

17 posted on 02/20/2011 10:22:21 AM PST by zeugma (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam)
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To: MamaDearest

Thread bump.


18 posted on 02/22/2011 2:32:18 AM PST by Cindy
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