FBI gives Airport screeners list of new items HiJackers might use

[papau]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGANHZKR1JD.html

Aug 6, 2003
FBI Catalogs Hidden Weapons That Terrorists Could Use, Warns Airport Screeners By Curt Anderson Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - From belt buckles to keys to a deadly deck of cards, the FBI is warning security personnel about dozens of everyday items that can conceal knives or other weapons terrorists could use to hijack an airliner....89-page catalog ...converted into a CD and circulated to airport screeners ...most of the concealable knives, pepper spray devices and other items are inexpensive and can be purchased from manufacturers in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Italy, Sweden, China and elsewhere. Knives are concealed in belt buckles, hairbrushes and combs, working cigarette lighters, crucifixes, lipstick cases, canes, umbrellas, keychains, pens, mock credit cards and money clips. While many of the blades are small, others are at least four inches long and some are sword-length.
Among the more exotic items is a deck of fake playing cards made of metal, with sharp edges, that can be thrown with deadly results. One fake key made in Japan conceals a knife and a smaller key that could be used to escape from handcuffs. One device, called a "shuckra," is a metal tube containing a wire that, when locked into place, becomes a hardened spike that could be used as a dagger. There are false name-brand soup, hairspray, shaving cream and cleanser cans with hidden compartments - the FBI calls them "can safes" - where weapons or dangerous substances could be placed. Fake books with hollowed centers are used as safes. <snip>

The Transportation Security Administration forbids air travelers from carrying sharp objects into an aircraft cabin. The agency bans such items as boxcutters, metal scissors with pointed tips, meat cleavers, swords and ice picks. But the FBI catalog notes there are many other razor knives and penknives that are used in construction and other businesses that could be just as deadly in the hands of a terrorist. Even plastic knives are included. <snip>

[Loonman]

1. Geez Louise

I know I come down hard on Israel in this forum, but they don't have to do boneheaded crap like this.

They don't look for weapons, they look for terrorists.

Besides, the next person who gets up and looks like they're going to do something is going to be tackled and beaten.

[pw]

2. Don't forget pens, pencils, popsicle sticks...

Whatever happened to the idea of reinforced cockpit doors?

[Loonman]

3. "culture of fear"

That we hear so much about has turned air travel into a bigger joke than I could have possibly imagined.

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. you know what's funny

The part about knives being able to be concealed in cigarette lighters.

QUESTION: WHY ARE LIGHTERS ALLOWED ON A PLANE IN THE FIRST PLACE????

Oh wait, I know - the tobacco lobby. :eyes:

(and I'm a smoker, BTW).

[Drifter]

5. My wife gave me a ...

travel toiletry bag for christmas (this past year). It has a pocket with numerous grooming tools. Nail clippers, tweezers, little scissors, etc.

I could help but think that every peice of hardware in there is probably banned as carry on.

Cheers
Drifter

[Jokerman]

6. Fly Naked!

Just remove everything and check it at the airport. Not only would the flights be more interesting, just think of the many ways to pass the time when your flight is delayed.

[htuttle]

7. What about pointed sticks!

.

[schrodinger_I]

8. How about CDs or DVDs?

They could be snapped in half and used as a knife. I broke a CD once and the edges were very sharp!

[Fescue4u]

9. Yep...

I've got a ceramic pocket knife. Completely undetectable.

I also have a knife in the shape of a credit card, although I doubt I could get it through a metal detector.

This is a losing proposition though. NO way is TSA going to be able to catch everything that is or could be a weapon, especially non-metallic weapons.

The honest folks will of course obey and be defenseless. The terrorist won't.

[TEXASYANKEE]

10. This is such crap!

Checked luggage is still not being screened. Why in the world would a terrorist carry a bomb or weapon onto the plane with them, when they can simply and easily check it and detonate it in air?

It's like our Homeland Security folks are saying "look over there" while they do absolutely nothing about checked luggage.

[Gordon25]

11. Official security scares rise...

...in direct relation to falls in Bush's polling numbers. Took a big dip in last couple weeks.

This is hardly a new security concern. The flight that crashed on Lockerby(sp?) Scotland was brought down by a bomb concealed in a transister radio.

Gordon25