Point of Airport Security

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coolVariable

Diamond Member
May 18, 2001
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76
Actually read about some chem professor who proved he could build a pretty potent bomb with stuff he bought at a duty free shop.
Definitely enough to blow a big hole into a plane (with the potential to rip the whole plane apart).
 

Zolty

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2005
3,603
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Originally posted by: daniel1113
Originally posted by: Zolty
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Give every passenger a gun or hunting knife when they board. No security screening necessary. Problem solved.

MotionMan

Gun no, decompression is not fun, knife maybe but be prepared for people to cut themselves.

I wish people would stop spouting the decompression myth. Unless you blow out a hole the size of a window (i.e., 1 ft^3 or more) while cruising at 35,000 feet, nothing is going to happen. A single bullet is not going to decompress a cabin.

Yes but you do have to land the plane, it would be really loud and uncomfortable for the passengers.

It wouldn't blow up, but it would constitute an emergency.

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: Zolty
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Give every passenger a gun or hunting knife when they board. No security screening necessary. Problem solved.

MotionMan

Gun no, decompression is not fun, knife maybe but be prepared for people to cut themselves.

Repeat after me: "Real life is not like the movies. Planes do not catastrophically decompress from handgun bullets puncturing the fuselage."

Mythbusters, episode 10.

As for airport security itself, it's a joke. It provides almost zero meaningful security for passengers.

ZV

Did not say catastrophic or explosive decompression, just decompression. See above.
 

daniel1113

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
6,448
0
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Originally posted by: Zolty
Originally posted by: daniel1113
Originally posted by: Zolty
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Give every passenger a gun or hunting knife when they board. No security screening necessary. Problem solved.

MotionMan

Gun no, decompression is not fun, knife maybe but be prepared for people to cut themselves.

I wish people would stop spouting the decompression myth. Unless you blow out a hole the size of a window (i.e., 1 ft^3 or more) while cruising at 35,000 feet, nothing is going to happen. A single bullet is not going to decompress a cabin.

Yes but you do have to land the plane, it would be really loud and uncomfortable for the passengers.

It wouldn't blow up, but it would constitute an emergency.

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: Zolty
Originally posted by: MotionMan
Give every passenger a gun or hunting knife when they board. No security screening necessary. Problem solved.

MotionMan

Gun no, decompression is not fun, knife maybe but be prepared for people to cut themselves.

Repeat after me: "Real life is not like the movies. Planes do not catastrophically decompress from handgun bullets puncturing the fuselage."

Mythbusters, episode 10.

As for airport security itself, it's a joke. It provides almost zero meaningful security for passengers.

ZV

Did not say catastrophic or explosive decompression, just decompression. See above.

And you're still wrong. Modern compression systems would not be affected by a single bullet-sized hole. There are probably a dozen or so small holes/gaps in every fuselage, and they cope just fine by simply regulating the amount of air that is pumped in.
 

ChAoTiCpInOy

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2006
6,442
1
81
How does this differ from Airport security around the world? Do they make you do these ridiculous things in other countries?
 

LS21

Banned
Nov 27, 2007
3,745
1
0
Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
How does this differ from Airport security around the world? Do they make you do these ridiculous things in other countries?

they implement the liquid at most airports elsewhere, but they either dont enforce it or arent as assholey about it

(ive had TSA yell me for carrying through 120ml instead of 100ml max bottle)

most places dont enforce the laptops-out either. seems very voluntary (only see americans do it). also, NO SHOES BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!

so you atleast keep a LITTLE of your dignity
 

Zedtom

Platinum Member
Nov 23, 2001
2,146
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The TSA seems to operate like a rural county sheriffs office. They like their staff to run around like trained dogs and treat everyone as suspicious until proven otherwise.

The thing that really gets me is the difference in standards from city to city. In Detroit the process is simple, uncluttered, and swift. In Denver the main terminal is devoted entirely to security, with car rental and concessions pushed off onto the edges.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
Originally posted by: ChAoTiCpInOy
How does this differ from Airport security around the world? Do they make you do these ridiculous things in other countries?

I have every confidence in the security measures taken by El Al, both in and out of Israel. They are well-trained, not power-trippy and do not mess around.

MotionMan