Simviation Forums

I recently read an article on The Daily Beast talking about the fear many people feel flying in today's airlines.  The fear is fairly erroneous, since we are currently experiencing one of the safest times in aviation history.  But what struck me was that governments are ceaselessly proclaiming that flying commercially is terrorist-proof.

This past summer, a relative of mine came to visit and brought along a colleague.  That person looked like an average, bookish individual.  Over 40, glasses, slim build, white and clean cut.  That person also made it on the aircraft with a Gerber multi-tool in their carry-on.

If this had been a terrorist, what could have happened?

What are your thoughts?

It is far from terrorist proof. If your will to cause terror is strong enough then not much can really stop it.

It is quite well protected against terrorism but to say it is safe from it is just isn't true.

[quote]
This past summer, a relative of mine came to visit and brought along a colleague.

[quote]I recently read an article on The Daily Beast talking about the fear many people feel flying in today's airlines.

I just returned from spending the summer working in Japan.

I'd say someone at O'Hare likes Japanese candy.  Either that or the Japanese Customs agent recognized them and the TSA guy didn't know what they were.

I had a full tube of toothpaste that I forgot to take out of my carry-on last time I was flying out of Honolulu, they confiscated that and pulled me asside for questioning, fortunately the agent who talked to me realized that it was an honest mistake and let me go.  Ofcourse what got me was that they didn't catch it flying out of Lihue earlier that day, and it was after we came back from Pearl Harbor too!  if it was a bomb, I would have had plenty of time to use it, not only on the Inter-Island hop, but also on a major US Navy Base.

[quote]I'd say someone at O'Hare likes Japanese candy.

ive walked through security a fair few times and well i put a razor from a pencil sharpener in my wallet quite sharp (i forgot it was in there) and it made it through

also i had a few allen keys in my shorts (you know for surfing) and they made em through as well

i dont no

My brother got a key ring taken off him, as it was an empty bullet case he found. He wasn't too impressed.

As I was packing my suitcases in Japan I made the mistake of placing some expensive red bean based confections into my carry-on for safe-keeping.

Yum...red bean candy

I can tell you from my personnel experience working in the airport environment.  99% of what the TSA accomplished is to make the average soccer mom feel safer for flying, and to justify their paycheck.  Without our getting on my soapbox about the TSA, let me just tell you they are a joke of an organization.

I still fear flying commercial a little bit but only from sound on takeoff and landing not the actual ride/cruise. I flew on one of the oldest Jetstar A320's taking off on a small runway at Hamilton Island and the landing gear went up it sounded like a *@!$*$# DC-3!!! I almost fainted lol

But i still love flying, my mate is going to Japan, probably on his way to the airport right now and he has been crapping his pants all day