Wow, what a ridiculous amount of bullshit surrounding the new airport scanners. I have actually been in one of these contraptions as they were testing one at the airport when I flew to Europe last spring. For those who are worried about “people from the airport standing around seeing you naked” and the “invasive” nature of a full body scanner – are you fucking serious?
First of all there are 2 employees whose job it is to look at the scan, second of all, standing in a 3/4 enclosed tube for 10 seconds is a lot less invasive then having some women patting my crotch, and third of all, it takes 10 fucking seconds! I really can’t see how the introduction of these scanners will do anything but promote safer and more efficient screening at airports.
And for those of you with “modesty” issues – do you really think people don’t have an idea of what the outline of your body is based on your clothes? I know some things are meant to be “slimming” but you’re not fooling anyone, so please get over your own vanity for the sake of your safety!
—If you don’t like it, drive.
This article appears in Dec 31, 2009 – Jan 6, 2010.
unless your a 9 or above(like me:) ) i’m thinking your junk/goods are going to get a millisecond glance at best; i mean have you been down to a beach lately and seen what chiclets are wearing these days it’s a non starter to me!
I’d suggest airport staff arm themselves with a crucifix when me and my chest puppies come barreling through their scanner.
Seriously, safety trumps box inspection.
The latest airplane bombing attempt came just as the full-body scanners were getting a bad rap. A few weeks later airports all over the world were installing them. All because of one unsuccessful bombing attempt. The amount of fear this is raising is ridiculous. I think the inventors of this machine are simply opprotunists.
I won’t be flying if it requires me to take a full body scan. I think that it is a massive invasion of privacy. I don’t want some random security guards I know nothing about looking at my junk. How long until they start storing those photos for “future comparions”? How long until they’re leaked onto some random Internet website?
I also saw an alternative method on the Daily Planet that doesn’t require x-ray vision through clothing. People are over-reacting in fear and not looking at all the options.
The security guards will have seen it all after a few days of screening – fat rolls, micro penises, hemaphrodites – and people can stop fretting.
I want to know…if I paint a little message on my pussy, will they be able to read it? Also, can they tell how long its been since I’ve shaved?? You never know, there could be some hotties workin the scanner, I gotta keep all options open! (-;
lorilulu – what a dirty mouth, grow some class. You sound like no lady.
Last time I was going through security at our airport I inquired about luggage scans. Guess what? Luggage is not scutinized, it is sometimes randomly checked by dog, providing opportunity for terrorism-minded individuals to still attempt to board with explosive devices. We are losing our personal privacy for nought, it seems.
I can find records for only 25 airline bombings in the last 100 years, and a few more attempted bombings. Most of them are original methods, uncovered by security measures put in place since the last bombing attempt. Such as shoes.
Personally, I don’t know why terrorists don’t just set up a rocket launcher near an airport (check out how much forest is around Halifax international airport) and fire on planes.
19 terrorists got on the 9/11 flights (none of which were bombed). Imagine the chaos that would ensue if each of those 19 people set up outside of 19 airports and fired a couple rockets at a plane taking off. Even if only a few managed to escape after that the mayhem would be unbelievable.
No amount of security will make you completely safe. It becomes a game of increased investment and diminishing returns. That’s my big beef with this whole thing. I remember thinking when the “shoe bomber” was caught in his failed attempt to set himself on fire what would happen when the inevitable “underwear bomber” made an appearance. Now I know..full body scans. So…what will happen when some guy shoves explosives up his ass?
The company that makes these scanners is called RapiScan (they didn’t think that name through, did they = ).
Anyone who actually believes that the security at the airport can see their “junk”, as Pavillion so aptly put it, is a complete fucking idiot! Yes, that includes you Pavillion. You’re a complete fucking moron. These scanners are essentially X-Ray scanners that only allow the operators to see the outline of your body and any potentially dangerous items you are carrying.
http://trueslant.com/jeffkoyen/files/2009/…
http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2009/…
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/15/…
This so called “invasion of your privacy” argument is a complete crock of shit. You are flying on a plane, owned by a private corporation, flying from an airport, owned by another private corporation. If you don’t like their security measures, feel free to take the bus/train, drive or even walk. The less idiots we have at the airport the better I say. It’ll make it easier for those of us with half a brain or more to get to our flights on time.
Another thing to maybe consider is that both of the latest bombing attempts (shoe and underwear) failed due to the diligence of the other passengers. Also, one of the 911 planes also failed to reach its target because the passengers took action. It used to be that terrorists would hijack the plane and take it to some other destination and use the passengers as bargaining chips. The passengers would have a pretty good chance of survival if they did nothing except comply with the hijackers wishes. Since 911, passengers are under the impression (probably rightly so) that terrorists are on suicide missions and so the passengers are more likely to take action to thwart the terrorists plans. So far, passenger action seems more effective than increased security. Maybe that should tell us something.
Also, I think I like the sky-marshal idea. Maybe one member of every flight crew should have some basic security training and be able to provide in-flight security as well as peanuts. Sort of like how one of them has to be trained in first-aid or something. Or…everyone could have single use tasers under their seats to deal with emerging threats or restless babies.
Those pictures were kind of creepy, NW.
And you *can* sort of see someone’s “package”…
You can’t identify the face though, so, so what if it ends up on the internet.
I don’t give a shit one way or the other if I have to go in a body scanner, but I *can* see how some might have issues with it.
Baby’s first taser! I like it.
I recognize everything that NW says, and that’s why, if I can swing it, I take the train or a ship everywhere. Takes a lot longer, but it’s SO much more civilized. Food’s better, too. And there’s nothing like having your own little room with a bed and a bathroom when you’ve finished your lamb and syrah.
miles: I would think they could see it. Some of the articals I read on this stated that you could see inplants and that would be another inplant. lol
This was also my other concern when I saw Never Wrong’s images…guns show up really well, but how about the powders/liquids used in the last two bombing attempts?
http://www.examiner.com/x-28973-Essex-Coun…
Meh, I don’t mind showing the security my massive penis. In all reality though, this is going a bit far; now we’re putting people through full body scans to see if there’s bombs? I’m certain if they want to get a bomb through, they’ll get one through. This is only an expensive means to make people feel safe.
lol lehove
“Baby’s first taser! I like it.”
except that kids are banned from using them (in most places) due to child porn (and sensitive body self images).
Fever: To make them feel safe, or scared? I felt safer when they weren’t searching my shoes or preventing me from brining liquids on board and I wasn’t constantly reminded that terrorists are everywhere when in reality they are hardly there at all. If we didn’t change our security procedures this time, in 3 months no one remember this boob who didn’t even blow anything up anyway. 9-11 was a long time ago now and there have been how many serious aeroplane-related terrorist events since? How many were there in the 10 years before 9-11? I don’t care if they want to scan my junk that much either…it’s just this culture of fear that is annoying. People don’t have a realistic impression of the risks they face in life.
We’re going to see a real hubbub about these scanners if/when they become prevalent, from people of the religious persuasion who are particularly concerned with modesty. Without pointing fingers at any one group…it could be messy.
Idiot “security” measures to pretend we are safer.
Let’s look at the methods Israel uses.
From what I understand, you will have the choice of a pat down instead of the scan. If the guy who is gonna do the pat down is hot, I’m gonna get felt up!
you do realized that this is a scam so they can sell those expensive scanners!
Take one or the other Miles. Some people will be scared; some will feel safer. You’re right, there’s a culture of fear around flying nowadays. I honestly couldn’t care, either way. If they want to sneak a bomb on, they’ll get one on, scanner or not. I just wish that there was less sensationalism in the media about it, which is half of the problem.
I’m gonna try to have a boner for when I go through. Hope its a girl doing the scanning!
I’m gonna stick a glass eye on my butt button just for the hell of it.
Get your cock pierced…that will definitely show up.
@ Enough Said…Cranky said “Boner”! I guess its ok, cause he’s male!
Oh and for the record, I don’t think anyone’s trying to be classy on LTWWB!
So suck it bitch!
The scanners don’t do diddly for security if they aren’t scanning luggage.
Iehova: I guess the duggars won’t be flying anymore!
Did you see Mrs. Duggar on say yes to the dress? modesty backwards coat thingy, wouldn’t let the sales lady help her because of “modesty” reasons? heh
I know penis rings would show up, but I wonder if female genital rings would show up. hmm, anyway care to take a stab at that one?
Yea no shit – i’d rather stand naked ( which you don’t anyways ) with my junk hanging out as everyone else , then to have to sit in a going down in flames plane cause some fuckin idiots wants to blow it up. I’d submit to whatever if it means my safety and families and friends safety . Lets see the bitches crying when they have to deal with a dead family member on a blown up plane ” why didn’t they check ? wheres the security ? Its the RCMP’s fault ” . Yea see we’re going one ahead with that and preventing that bitch in its tracks . Oh yea – if you wanna blame someone – punch your local terrorist in the face and blame him . In the mean time – get your pat down ( if i get a female and shes cute , she can extensively pat down my junk to make sure i have no explosives under my testicles when i refuse the scan and go for the fondle check instead haha). Really , i can’t believe people are actually bitching on the news about the extra hour or two now spent trying to go through security and checks to board !! WTF isn’t that what everyone is and was bitching about ? Tighter security ? Now the authorities listened and are doing it and people are mad? Bunch of dummies . If you wanna ride maybe or maybe not – fly Iraqi Airlines and take your chances man !! In the mean time – for once the government and airport authorities are actually doing something – go and shake their hand instead of bitching . Know why you should ? Because they are making sure noone bombs or otherwise fucks your flight and they are making sure you DO get to where you are going. Fuck sorry for the rant – but man oh fuckin man – all for the good and the snotty assed pukewaste crying -” I have to wait two hours – this is terrible – make sure noone has a bomb on them ? ” Fuck you pukewaste – take it like all us and be happy you’ll make it there. Like i said – if you don’t like it – punch your local terrorist in the face and be done with it
PK, it took me a few minutes and the use of Google to figure out what Mrs Duggar and Say Yes to the Dress are…then I watched it.
Holy fucking frumpy hell. I didn’t know such unfortunate wedding dresses even existed. She might as well have spray-primed a burlap sack white.
Fever…sorry to hear of your elephantiasis.
Yeah, Never Wrong, you had a good point until you actually posted 3 links that, um, kinda disproved it. Hilarious.
The best way to be safe on flights to America will be when America stops its ridiculous “right or wrong” support of Israel, returns lands to the Palestinians that were stolen, and stops meddling in middle eastern affairs. Canada can do the same. Leave Afghanistan NOW.
The reason that bomb-proof luggage storage isn’t used (except by Israel/UAE) is that luggage boms are so rare, contrary to what you think.
The reason for the “screening” is not just to “find stuff”, but to make terrorists/smugglers THINK that they will find stuff…if they are therefore more “nervous” looking in line, they will more easily be spotted and pulled aside. As will drug smugglers.
You are being watched as you go through security. Profiled, as well.
It’s not a good time to be an muslim African student coming to America.
Hmm..I just flew back from Chicago and noticed a “Hooters Airline” plane on the tarmac..I am volunteering to scan their flight crew 🙂
Luggage bombs may gain popularity if it is increasingly difficult for the carry-on variety to be successfully boarded.
It’s not like every passenger is going to be scanned. Only those who are deemed to be “suspicious” for some reason will be subjected to the full body scanner.
Ah BMF! I was wondering how long it would take until you chimed in with your bullshit. Better watch out folks “the man” is out to get you! “The Man” will bring us all down in flames!! BTW, for those of you who are unaware, “The Man” is the adult term for the childhood monster, “The Boogey Man”. Tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theory nutballs like BMF use the abbreviation “The Man” in order for it to seem more realistic. And “The Man” is the one “watching and profiling you as you go through security”. You see folks, people like BMF can manage to sexualize the images I posted earlier, even though the people in them appear about as anatomically correct as a Ken doll.
What gets me is the US Government blew it with their inteligence and this is why this Nigerian freak ended up on one of their airplane. Now the rest of the world has to spend money (Canada spent 11 million) on these machines because the Americans fucked up again.
The problem with creating a Fortress America is when you create wall around yourself you will collapse from within, just like the Soviet Union did. It is not financially sustainable to wall yourself in.
I love how everyone is saying the Americans let him on the plane. It was Dutch Security who allowed him through security screening to get on the plane.
As for the body screening, who would have the time to lust over anyone’s body when there are so many to get screened. Also I believe the Tech who is looking at the image isn’t even in the same vacinity as the person being scanned, not to mention the faces are unrecognizable.
BMF do you honestly believe if we gave Israel to the Palestinians and pulled out of the Middle East that everything will be hunky-dorey? That all of a sudden the extremists will go away or say “Hey now you’re out, let’s be friends”?
American intelligence failed, that’s what happened. They were given plenty of warnings, yet did nothing to stop the guy from getting on the plane. His visa wasn’t even revoked, even after his own father warned the American embassy of what his son was up to!
These scanners will not stop a determined person, especially given the fact that they do not pick up liquids and other explosives as well as they’d like to have you believe. There’s no one magic solution to the problem. It is very complex in nature and until America stops pissing off so many other groups (like it did with the invasion of Iraq), then these lunatic groups will continue to target Americans.
Building fortress America is not the solution either. Build a wall to stop people from going through will just mean that they’ll find ways to go below, above and around it. Case in point, the US/Mexico border. Illegals, guns, drugs, etc… flow through that border in both directions every day.
I had to laugh at that third set of pictures; what a positively strange place to hide a gun…the frontal thigh. Everytime you took a step it would stand out completely. Step (Lookit I think I see a gun!)…Step(Lookit I am pretty sure that’s a gun!)…Step(Yeah that’s definately a gun…shoot him first and then we can cuff him).
@TorontoPilot (YTZ): That’s pretty much been the going trend for the past few decades, USA THE GREAT fucks up and we all pay for it…how much has Afghanistan cost us so far?
It’s not that I think we should’t be there…but thing’s would have been accomplished there if the US hadn’t been bombing the shit out of everything that moved (our troops included). Had they not been actively (and quite successfully) alienating the local Afghan population we could have completely rebuilt the infrastructure there and shown that we are not there to occupy but to help them get back on their feet…nobody helped them after the Soviet invasion and the lack of reliable power, clean water and education centers led to the present situation. Guess who you can blame for that too? USA THE GREAT, they paid and armed the muhjadeen to fight the USSR, and that led to some pretty brutal retaliatory actions.
Opps sorry for the rant…just wanted to clarify my statement. In a nutshell…we could have been in and out of Afghanistan in 2 years tops and shown the Muslim’s we are a forgiving people that could be open to productive discussion.
I’ll be sure to pop a boner beforehand. You mean I can actually flash people and not get in trouble for it?! Praise the lord!
Never Wrong, I appreciate that you proved my point with pictures. Thank you very much. I hadn’t the time this morning to find the pictures myself.
An often used, but just as often forgotten quote from Ben Franklin: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
You cannot protect against everything. No matter what you do, something will get through and someone will die. It is a risk. I worry about this “culture of fear” we are creating. I have young teenage nieces who are absolutely convinced they are going to be kidnapped and raped if they go outside alone. They don’t believe it *might* happen, they believe 100% that it *will* happen.
I would be devestated if a member of my family died in a terrorist attack but I would not be searching for blame beyond the terrorists themselves.
There are security authorities out there who try their hardest every day to keep North Americans safe (some lazy ones must exist I admit), but they are not infalliable. How long until an extremist straps explosives onto their 10 year old child and gets on the plane?
I generally consider myself liberally oriented, but I hate the idea of more government control over our lives. Anyone who says that airlines are solely private ventures are fooling themselves. The faces of these photos might be blurred, but I am sure they are attached to a name. They obviously, as Never Wrong so helpfully proved, can save the photos.
The only thing that puts my mind slightly at ease is the fact that they are only going to be used on “suspicious individuals”. Except that those individuals deemed suspicious tend to be racially, relgiously, or nationally profiled.
Oh well, I shall continue on believing that people are generally good and that life is short, and could end at any time. Meanwhile, I rather enjoy trains. Very nice and quite soothing.
Pav, It’s interesting you make a point using an American philosopher. Particularly since they’re the ones who started all of this bullshit.
Hey, if you have nothing to hide, why worry about it. If you have nothing to hide, why not let the government listen in to your private phone conversations or read your email.
I had the federal government knocking on my door yesterday. They’d like to know what I spend all my money on. Probably because I usually pay with cash, they just gotta know. They’re probably trying to see if they can squeeze any more blood out of this turnip.
Whatever, a body is a body. Seeing a naked body in non-sexual context isn’t a big deal. It actually gets pretty boring after a while. Even if you’re attracted to the person… trust me. As long as it’s conducted professionally I don’t see a problem with it. I actually think its kind of cool, something out of a sci-fi novel.
Dr. Fever, I rather like the American founding fathers (except that whole slavery thing). I dislike the odd American philosophy or cultural oddity as much as the next true Canadian, but they’re not all bad. Even the current lot!
@Shrike:
“Hey, if you have nothing to hide, why worry about it. If you have nothing to hide, why not let the government listen in to your private phone conversations or read your email.”
I completely agree with you. A body is just a body. A phone call is just a phone call. An email is just an email. You have nothing to worry about if you’re not doing anything wrong! Don’t know where it will stop. Big brother is watching!
Is it just me, or did the airport just get a WHOLE lot sexier?
Lol…yo Never Wrong, wtf are you banging on about, mate?
Embarassed that you googled “The scanners ain’t so bad, are they?”, and ended up validating pavillion’s (correct) point that they ARE an invasion of privacy (maybe you missed the colostomy bag in the photos?!)…or maybe you want the whole world to know that you’ve had a mastectomy/wooden leg/ lost your nuts on a reality show…whatever….embarassed that you hadn’t scrutinized your own link, lol, you go off on a tirade about “the man”…what is it, 1969? WTF are you talking about?
Do you actually not know that there are security officers in airports that are watching us as we line up for the screening? To you that’s a “conspiracy theory”!?
Hey, here’s another one then…you’re not gonna believe this, but there are actually dogs, that’s right dogs, behind those closed doors that can be brought out too!?
I know! crazy, eh?
And check this out- more North Americans have been killed falling in the bath since 2001 than have been killed on planes! Crazy eh?
I think it’s a plot to make us not wash, what do you think…Are you happy with week-old ass crack in order to “feel safe” there Never Wrong?
LMAO, “never wrong”, that’s priceless…
I wasn’t home at the time.
Shh,..someone’s knocking. It’s some big angry fellow in a girl scout’s uniform telling me through the door that I have a candygram.
eew i wouldn’t even want to see like 95% of people naked anywho(i don’t eve like to see my ownself naked and i’m in reasonable shape for an older dude)
I have to say Pav; the America that lived in the hearts of Franklin et al. died at the first sitting of the League of Nations. That and the very healthy facination with the middle east since they obtained their independence.
This was all planned. Governments have well planned military strategies that sometimes take 20 years to come to fruition. If that sounds like a conspiracy theory, so be it.
Fever – didn’t more ME nations reject the League of Nations after that first meeting? Well, ME and African nations.
but guys,don’t the idea of some hot,horny female gawking at your dick kinda get you turned on. shit,if they wanna see what i got on me,go for it,i’m no blushing bride.
lorilou,if you want me to read it,i will have to drop your panties,yum,yum.or any other female here interested?
Total. 100%. Bullshit.
We can’t afford money to buy an MRI machine or a build a nursing home for our impoverished elders. But some jackass tries to light his nuts on fire and SHAZZZAM! we have millions of dollars to spend on this garbage.
The military company that makes these things just cashed in BIG-TIME! Anybody else find it a little convenient that they apparently had hundreds of these things built, shipped and just waiting to be installed around the world, they just needed the political impetus? And buddy is basically deliverd on a silver platter to the Xmas day flight with just such a theatrical performance they need to get the public to accept this device?
Somebody just took billions of oyur dollars! Under the guise of safety and security. Nonsesense. This is SUCH an imagined threat I can’t believe people actually fall for it.
And now they are apparently banning all books – except the ones you buy in the airport kisok. What exactly is that supposed to prevent again? Me bringing something that isn’t an overpriced piece of crap on the flight? Oh yeah, the kiosk doesn’t seem to mind THAT rule. How convenient…..
@ lorilulu -Class isn’t something you try and have either you have it or you don’t and bitch you aren’t even close.
“Cranky said “Boner”! I guess its ok, cause he’s male! – Are you serious? How old are you. NO ONE wants to visualize you and your shit. Not attractive. Your vaulgar choice of words for discription is gross, and are no way a lady. You belong with a bunch for red-necks out in the woods somewhere.
LIFE SUCKS is no better.
It is one thing to actually bitch about something you guys are just raunchy. you deserve one another!
Bro Tim,
Yeah he got on the plan in Schipol airport in Amsterdam, but don’t kid yourself that it was “Dutch Security” that let him on.
Security in Schipol is a PRIVATE contract to ICTS International which is an Isreali owned and operated company. The only thing ‘Dutch’ about the security there is the local employees that ICTS hires and manages.
Convenient….
Holy crap people, an invasion of privacy? Really??? The Man just wants to see us all naked? Really???. If anyone has a problem with more security measures at our airports then drive, hitchhike, take a train, a unicycle or some other form of transportation to get your ass to your preffered destination. These full body scanners are in place to help prevent your death in the sky for f*cks sake. For once please recognize that this is an initiative put forth by the world community to make air travel safer, not to sneak a look at your birthday suit. It seems like some people see flying as their personal right. Never Wrong hit the nail on the head with his first comment if you ask me…
Enough Said needs to lighten up. This is an online forum on a local webpage, not your 3rd year polisci seminar. Anyway, I don’t care if no one wants to see my junk, thats the beauty of it, now someone doesn’t have a choice.
Oh yeah and thanks to the OP for starting this discussion.
Cranky – I just don’t enjoy vaulgar discriptions of peoples junk. thanks. On line fourm on a local webpage…yes…raunchy discriptions of your bodies – gross! Keep it to yourself.
Boner? Really?
Pussy? Really?
@ Enough Said- be very careful not to accidentally click “opinions” – savage love….you may be very offended….oh jeez…or personals, or psst, or, or, or, you should probably just stay away from the internet and stick to the Bible!
@FunkyMunky: Well, it’s for your safety so the government should have hte right to read all the email going through your ISP. A terrorist planning an attack might be emailling. It’s also for your safety that they should record and listen to all your phone calls. A terrorist might be planning an attack over the phone. It’s for them to your safety to track all your consumer purchases and keep them on file just in case they meet the patterns of a suspected terrorist profile. It’s all for your safety, so you can be kept nice and safe in a bubble.
Of course, should you happen to meet one of the profiled requirements of being a terrorist, I don’t think you’ll be very safe.
I’m all for safety, but within reasonable means. Effectively strip searching every passenger on a plane, or even just the ones who are unfortunate enough to fall into some profilers equation, is not reasonable. There *are* other methods available to protect safety. Governments were so quick to capitulate to this particular method as soon as they had the reason to do so that it leaves me wondering why.
Funky Money,
That is such a simplistic way of looking at this issue. Don’t you THINK about these things for yourself? Do you REALLY believe this makes anybody safer?
I have an issue with the invasion of privacy, yes. I feel that some rent-a-cop at the airport has no business looking at my naked body, or that of my wife or kids either. For the illusion of security.
My other big issue is with the collosal waste of moeny this is! If a terrorist was intent on blowing up a plane, they would. It is as simple as that. This just isnt the big threat we make it out to be. It is competely manufactured hysteria.
How many planes are dropping out the sky these days? It is an completely negligible risk. Yet we pretend like this is such a major issue and the only thing keeping our flight from Hali to Sydney in the sky is the rent-a-cop taking away our shampoo.
It is total bullshit. The airport security people have NO CLUE what the next thing will be, so they institute some asinine reactionary measure to make it LOOK like they are doing something, at great inconvenience to the rest of us.
It is akin to the police response to a crime being to just race around amilessly with the siren on to make the poeple THINK they are doing something, as opposed to actually looking for the criminal. It is a waste of money, time and an insult and intrusion to travellers.
Some things I just thought of:
They aren’t allowing children under the age of 18 to go through the full body scanners because of child pornography laws. That indicates that there is a level of indeceny involved here.
Also, major point:
You’re in more danger of the plane crashing due to other factors (mechanical failure, pilot error, birds, etc) than due to terrorists. Getting virtual naked for security won’t change this fact. If you’re worried about death from flying then the higher possibility of a crash should be putting you in panic attacks.
lorilulu – Great you know where to go when you want discribe your privates. Those colums are exactly what you expect them to be. You have made it very clear that you belong there.
You discribing your body to everyone on here isn’t exaclty good reading. You don’t leave alot to the imagination. Good for you for sounding completely crass, hill-billy and uneducated. The funny thing is you are arguing about it that is sounds good. lol BRAVO FOR lorilulu for accomplishing sounding like an idiot.
HAHAHAA
No one else read the paper today ???
A slovakian security service put bomb parts & explosives into a passengers luggage (without telling him) & the luggage scanners falied to find it. the Pilot knew …decided to fly to Ireland anyway !
A complete fuck up.
I wonder why everywhere including the US, these devices being implemented was being fought tooth & nail.
Then one incident, where they may have worked pops up & Now suddenly they’re a must have .
Am I the only one who sees that ? If I owned the company manufacturing these devices ,I could see a rational of getting some brain dead idiot to think I was al qaeda , & getting them to sneak my defective bomb on board…It would shake the US up & my machine would become an overnight success !
You’ve gotta admit, this has moved this companiy from bankrupt to well off !
I think WCK made this point: the wait times around here are at least 6 months for a simple MRI, but at the drop of a hat 11 million is spent on airport security (to appease the americans, honestly — when’s the last time Canada was a target for a plane bomber?)? WTF’s up with that shit?
Frig sakes, make the airlines eat up that cost. They’re the ones who make $$$ off of air travel.
PK – 1985? The Locarbie bombing. I believe that plane’s destination was Canada. I could be wrong though, haven’t time to look it up.
That’s right NGF. Also, it was in the 20’s that the Brits and the Yanks that started calling in debt (England did this and basically bankrupted Egypt to the point they were a tourist trap and they used to be a scion of business in the Arab world; they’re still recovering from it) and installing political leaders to control oil.
Problem is PK, the Yanks pretty well control travel. When we signed into this whole “North America Defense Initiative” (or whatever the fuck it’s called) they say jump, and we have to say: “how high”? Also, if we had to make the airlines pay for it, we’d have no airlines left. Remember, they can barely pay their employees let alone pay for security measures. That said, our government has to step in. All this because the US government writes blank cheques when it comes to three things: Big Business, Military, and Homeland Security.
Pan Am 103 (Lockarbie Bombing) was destined to New York, Canada was not on the route.
Air India Bombing was the last (and only?) “Canadian” target of an airline bombing, unless you count the Canadians that were killed on 9/11.
Both Lockarbie and Air India were bombs placed in check luggage, nothing a body scanner would have done about that.
More,
That is exactly the point I am trying to make. These devices are made by an American Military/Defense/Security company. That company has been trying to market this technology for several years, to minimal avail.
There have been two major problems with their ability to market their product:
1) Privacy concerns/public resistance
2) No evidence that they are actually any use in detecting anything beyond our current security measures
Well, along comes the underwear bomber to completely bungle a plan that was destined to fail anyways – he did NOT have the proper detonation device to ignite such explosive, the worst he could have done with that type of expolsive was start a fire – basically what he ultimately did.
BUT, Ta-Da! You have dealt with problem #2, and problem #1 is trounced by Big Brother government.
Cha-ching, Rapiscan just went from a nobody company to the Fortune 500. And, you would be naive to think there weren’t some people in DC who happen to have stocks in this company….
Thank God I have a huge penis!
The money could be better spent. It won’t make people safer, just feel safer. Like kids and their blankies.
Aside from that anyone else notice that the guy isn’t going to Guantanamo as an enemy combatant, but instead he will be tried in the courts. Since when does an act of war land-up in the public court system?
If anyone is interested in the amount of intelligence the US gov gathers on anyone/everyone that is deemed a threat or potential threat (current or future), then you should take a look at the book titled Killer Elite by Michael Smith.
The book details American operations dating back to the 80s and sheds a bit of light on their various intelligence agencies such as CIA, NSA, and a military group called The Activity. The detail it goes into in showing how they were able to track down and eliminate various targets of interest is quite fascinating.
They’re very good at what they do, but sometimes major incidents occur because of the infighting amongst these various groups. It seems like some of them don’t like having their toes stepped on by other agencies and so they don’t always share valuable intel amongst each other.
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough in my previous post. Let me clarify: If you don’t like the new security measures at the airports… then…don’t ….fly. Its not your right to fly in an airplane and if you don’t like the security measures used by a private company then make the choice not to fly. To address the concerns that some posters had about my ability (or want) to think these things through in my own head: I have and I do on a constant basis as I am a functioning member of society. Whenever, you get to be my age you will have learned that not everything is a conspiracy theory… the world is just chaotic and confusing.
It’s not the private airlines that are implementing the security. It is funded by government money and meeting guidelines that are government implemented. As tax-paying and voting citizens, we have a right to voice concerns over policies and spending that are decided by our government. If the people, whose security is supposedly the issue here, don’t want to be inconvenienced by these policies or if they feel their privacy is being violated by these machines they have every right to complain about it. Taking the “just don’t fly then” stance is not really a valid or strong position. If it were just a question of private companies shoving a security policy down our throats then we could speak with our pocket books and choose not to fly or to fly with another carrier with less invasive security procedures.
I agree, Miles.
The “well just dont fly” argument is very disingenous. It is essentially just a cop-out. Instead of actually considering/debating the approach to OUR security – which is afterall intended to make US safer (allegedly….), these arguers would just as soon stick their heads in the sand.
Sure, it isn’t a constitutional right that we the people be allowed to take Jet liners. But I would argue that the SPIRIT of the right to freedom of movement would cover modern day modailities as well. Many people rely on air transit for their jobs/professions. Many otehrs rely on it to keep in contact with relatives in distant places. For me it ‘aint too practical to drive to BC and see my family – although TECHNICALLY that is an option.
So Funky, when they want to install a scanner at the grocery store, let me guess “well, don’t shop”. What about when they want to monitor your phone? “Dont make calls”?
The right to or not to fly in a plane is not what we are debating. It is to what extent should the Gov’t be able to intrude on our right to privacy as well as our right to NOT be subject to unreasonable search and seizure (4th amendment in the USA, Charter of rights and Freedoms in CAN).
That is what we are concerned about. Not whether flying is a right or a privlidge. That is simplistic.
The whole thing with children not being scanned is shortsighted as well. I know western societies try to “save the children”, but there are many child solders, and that is a huge loophole for evildoers. Omar khadr comes to mind.
And…more news out Fortress America to make you feel safer when flying:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top…
http://beta.video.ap.org/?f=txhou&pid=krE8…
Last but not least:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation…
If the Secret Service can’t even keep uninvited people out of the White House for a state dinner, how much credibility can all this nonsense, coming from the US Gov concerning airport security, have???
If anyone’s been to Denver or any other American airport, you’ll notice how easy it is for anyone to stake out the gates and watch the proceedings taking place. Unlike Canadian airports, the screening area is wide open for everyone to observe and study. It wouldn’t take a genius to infiltrate that area and smuggle in an explosive device.
Knee jerk reactions such as these scanners, taking off your shoes, etc… won’t make much of a difference. Come up with a comprehensive and logical solution rather than just throwing $$$ into the fire. Once people see that you’ve thought it out, then they’ll be more inclined to work with you rather than against you. Bowing to American pressure without thought is not the way the Canadian gov should be operating. At least Chretien got it right when he said no to the invasion of Iraq.
@NGF: Actually much of the Middle East was under various European Nation’s rule, much of it being British. During the League of Nations first meeting many different Shieks etc petitioned for parts of the ME to be cut up into different states for their own advancement. Often, their requests included large swaths of a competing tribefamily’s traditional domain, many times that side was not represented and their lands were given away in less than ethical deals.
It’s intereting that a ton of people on here have said that the scanners aren’t necessary and that there are “other measures” that could be taken to increase security, yet I don’t see anyone articulating these “other methods” and I am curious to se if they do in fact exist. I think that simply saying “if you don’t like it don’t fly” could be seen as a cop out but it’s the “there’s nothing we can do” attitude that troubles me alot more.
They don’t scan the luggage, they randomly have dogs check it.
Hellakitty, here’s an easy one.
You go into a private screening room.
You take off all your clothes pass it into a security person, same gender.
They hand you a nice clean paper coveralls & booties, you put that on & you go to your plane.
Simple.
No multi million dollar machines,in every airport.
Absolutely NOTHING of anyones is in the seating section of the airplane. anything that has to be carried aboard, like diabetes medicine, gets sent to the stewards of the aircraft along with things like your lap top or camera, wallets & purses… everything else is checked into the belly of the airplane where the passengers cannot access it !
lorilou,don’t listen to them,you can tell me all about your friendly place anytime you wish,or you can even show me around.god,i love being a fucking pervert.
I don’t think the Air India bombing was directed towards Canada IIRC.
Has anyone taken note of the following travel advisory from Air Canada? It’s quite an eye opener if you haven’t read it yet:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/trav_adv/…
No carry on bags such as camera bags, laptop bags, etc.. will not be permitted on board. However, large women’s purses will still be allowed. You know, because you can’t possibly hide any form of explosives in a purse. That just shows you the stupidity going on with these bans.
The explosives were brought on inside the bomber’s underwear. He did not bring it on via a carry on. Why is there a ban on carry ons and not underwear or clothing??
Suicide bombers with explosives stuck in their asses won’t be of much use either as an attempted assassination on Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Nayef last month failed:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/09/21/bu…
Why don’t we just all fly naked with no luggage after we’ve all been anally/vaginally/orally/nasally probed by airport security?
I mean that’s pretty much what this is all coming to, isn’t it?
p.k.,there actually is an airline that flies nude customers.it‘s a german one i think,i read about it in readers digress,a month or so back.when they get it here,you’ll never find me on the ground,hhhhhhhh,ahhhhh.
Oh yeah I bet their planes smell AWESOME!!! 9 hours of sweating into a polyester seat cushion…
I’ve been trying to find the information I saw on ‘The Daily Planet” on the Discovery Channel about another option instead of full body scans. It had something to do with using waves (radio waves? I dunno) to find discrepancies that might indicate hidden weapons or bombs. Google is failing me at the moment but perhaps someone else would have better luck.
Also, people who say that this shows goes, metal detectors easily detect guns so this is not needed for guns.
I did find this comment on another website about the whole thing and I thought it was very well written. I did not write this, I got this off a different forum that I regularly read.
“I am still trying to figure out how those images are supposed to protect us from attacks. If you really, really, want to get a bomb on a plane, no measure of security will stop it every time. Besides, the attempted attack on Dec 25 was not caught due to the lack of scanning every individual’s body. This attempted attack was the result of our intelligence agency not being able to connect two, seemingly glaring, pieces of information. This individual was even on no fly lists, but still got on the plane.
More on topic, after viewing those pictures, I do not know how anyone can come to any conclusion other that this is an invasion of privacy. I realize that this is being used to protect individuals on planes. I really get that. But, after this setup becomes cheaper to produce/use, what is stopping this technology from filtering down to other areas of life?
Would we be ok with this being used to gain entry into courthouses? How about using this on catching suspected shop lifters? Then perhaps we can use this scanning equipment every time someone exits a changing room. Some people use the bathroom to hide items they want to steal. Let’s use this in the bathroom also. Ok, this might seem extreme. But, this pattern is not unheard of. In fact, it has happened many times before.
Video cameras, metal detectors, devices to help control shop lifting, telephone recording. All of these started off as methods to use in the most extreme cases. Over time, we have become more comfortable with them. Are we willing to become comfortable with unknown people taking scans of our naked bodies? I am not. I believe it to be the highest form of violating my personal right to privacy.
Not only that, but I view it to be completely useless when you consider that people are given the option for a ‘pat down’ instead of using this machine. Getting a pat down completely bypasses this security point. I have seen how guards conduct pat downs. They do not do it with as much care as a police officer would after finally catching a known drug dealer. They won’t find anything.
This device, unless the airports ‘volunteer’ to use it, will primarily be placed in countries thought to actively participate in terrorism. There are, something like, 14 countries that will be required to use this. The last I checked, there was over 200 countries in the world. Nothing is stopping a terrorist to get papers from some random country… then fly to the United States. They can completely bypass this protocol for a price of 300 dollars.
At best, this will catch stupid criminals. But, we already stand a really, really, good chance at catching the stupid ones. This will not even come close to catching the competent terrorists. And let’s face it, the competent terrorists are what we really need to find and stop. I am already comfortable with the existing security that I need to pass through.
I don’t like the trend. It is an invasion of privacy that offers negligible benefit at best.”
I just found this image:
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2999/bo…
The top picture is the scan. The bottom picture is a simple colour inversion.
Soon we will see leaked celebrity body scans?
Where do i go to get this scanner? LOL
Here’s another interesting website:
http://www.planecrashinfo.com/cause.htm
Apparently sabotage, which includes bombs, hijackings, and planes shot down, accounts for only 9% of all airline disasters since the 1950s.
I think that scanners are useless if someone wants to bomb a plane they will find a way to do it…put armed guards, swat personal or the army on all flights…come on – with orders to shoot to kill anyone in the bathroom too long
ever notice the scans always show people with a gun? The metal detectors we have now already weed these out.
Where are the moch images of people with fake explosive in their underwear? how come we are not seeing those images online or in the news reports?
You’re being manipulated by fear again people.
Eventually these guys will figure out that surface to air shoulder launched missiles are a lot easier to work with than getting snakes on a plane. I imagine its the cost of the things that’s keeping them from use currently. (I’m talking actual surface to air missile launchers, not low rent RPG’s)
How do you guys like this:
http://www.infowars.com/inverted-body-scan…
I usually refrain from citing obviously biased sources when debating. I would consider infowars.com to be a somewhat ‘agenda-driven’ media source as well, despite their claims to the contrary.
But this is pretty tough to ignore. These images are astounding. If that is real, I am VERY concerned! These are better than some of the porn out there!
This body scanner thing is dubious…..
LIFE SUCKS, don’t worry, I’m not offended in the least by some prude that thinks they’re better than me because I said “pussy” on LTWWB. Those are the same kind of people who are all up in arms about body scanners. They can scan my body at the grocery store if they want to, doesn’t bother me. I don’t choose to take my clothes off for a living and I don’t choose to dress provocatively, but if I did I wouldn’t care what anyone thought of me including people like “Enough Said”! Likewise, I don’t judge those that want to show off their sexy bodies…to each their own!
My take on any and all security measures taken since 9/11 is this; A smart terrorist will succeed. A dumb terrorist will not.
Hey folks, I think I found a viable alternative to the “Body Scanners”. Not really… but fun to watch regardless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bemZmORkp3Q…
Testicles, penis, vagina, tits, pussy, shaft, long arm of the law, snatch (not the movie)… That is all… Hope not to offend… gimme a fucking break…
Sigh.
I think I will just stay home and fantasize about the days when air travel was so much more glamourous than it is now.
“Champagne? Martini? Cigars? Cigarettes? Cigars? Cigarettes . . .”
rj,don’t forget the mile high club.
Whatever nomenclature you have ascribed to your genitalia is of no consquence to me. However, I also have no interest in seeing or hearing about your genitalia in detail, nor have you see or hear about mine.
Here is another interesting article, this one by CNN, about the issue:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/01/07/schn…
I have also read that the waves the scanner use have not been fully tested and there is no proof they are actually safe to use on the human body in repeated usages.
http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv…
I am someone who has traveled quite a bit, but never been through one of these scanners. I don’t care if they can see the outline of my penis, I’ll draw it for them if they don’t know what it looks like by now.
I am concerned with the idea that if I travel frequently I will be exposed to the rays from this machine on a regular basis when due to the radiation, my doctor won’t even get me any kind of x-ray unless it’s absolutely necessary.
PS – airport scanner technician… best job for a pervert EVER!
I was at another site earlier today…& a person there brought up a good point IMO.
What are we going to be expected to put up with when the next bomber, has an explosive suppository up his or her ass ?
Will rectal exams be too much for those of you who are not put out in the least by these intrusive devices ?
Plus I know they’re expensive too (but they sure aren’t a million dollars a pop) why not increase the amount of explosive sniffing dogs ?
We know they work, so you have at least a half dozen dogs on at each security gate all the time & anyone they point out, gets moved to a private area for a more careful screening !?!?!
Hell just have them roaming around the airport as well as the luggage areas, something tells me you could train & set up a lot of dogs& handlers for 11 million dollars, which was I believe the local cost here in Halifax
Less concern about the machines and more concern about profiling. No matter what America says or what any treaty says the profiling is illegal. It breaches the very first point of the Canadian Bill of Rights.
Maybe onto something thinking the Nigerian was hired by the manufacturer of the machines but American government has more to gain from a terrified America than the manufacturer does.
Maybe the bill of rights needs to be changed. Profiling is the major key to Israel’s success in airport security.
Too much bleeding hearts worried about violating some terrorists rights and maybe profiling him /her. Ummm yea america has a war with the afgani’s and iranians – ummmm yea – maybe one of them might be a terrorist or sleeper cell. Ya think – maybe? Thats not profiling – thats putting the finger right on the direct people responsible. Stop crying and start kicking them out till the wars done and then maybe we can talk . Yep – that sounds racist doesn’t it – it’s not – its just what we did to the chinese in WW2 – right or wrong ? Who knows – atleast we had the enemies where we knew who they where and where they were . Lets see you liberal bleeding hearts start whining about all this when one of them fuckers blow up your kids and or family on a plane. This is exactaly why they DO have the chance to do all this shit in North America – to much bleeding hearts . You got no rights under martial law when its called – so lets call it on them – get it over with – deal with it – get it straightened out – and then we talk .
Weedhog, America is at war with Iraq, not Iran. But otherwise, you have some points.
There’s the old saying about those willing to trade rights for security deserve neither, and as an average looking white guy, I’m not in much danger of being profiled. But you can’t argue with the fact that no plane departing Ben Guiron in Israel has ever been hijacked/blown up/etc.
Exactly lehova – no plane might not have been hijacked out of isreal – because them guys frigging well know that they won’t let them . They ( opposing enemy) know they CAN’T come into isreal and take said same plane – they either kill them or detain them at the border and send them back .They are NOT allowed to hang around. I really am not trying to be racist – honest to shit – I fly back and forth to calgary and halifax and have no problems as a white guy.What I am trying to say is , if your nation has a conflict with another – you really can’t have the others running loose all over your country ,doing terrorist shit or spying or whatever . I do agree with you lehova and its hard to avoid sounding like a racist – but thats what we have to do . It just pisses me off when people complain – oh look another terrorist in toronto sneaking into the states and blowing up planes. And then people cry when we lock their asses up without nothing but their turban as evidence. To fuckin bad – you bitched about terrorist in the country – we go and grab them – and now our people are whining we didn’t give him/her they’re rights ? Wtf ? Its your guys killing and warring with our people – as well as ours doing the same to yours – hello – what the fuck are you even doing in my country right now? Do you think for a moment any of the mentioned countries would extend you the same rights? Go to iraq as a white guy and see what “rights” you have . Think that one over people . How would they treat you ? Fuck, all we do is lock em up for awhile till we figure them out – then either let them stay or kick them out . Them guys would take you either hostage or kill you and leave your dead ass on the road for all to see .Rights yea . We’re too nice.
I think Israel outsources their airport security to the private sector.
That’s what a good friend of mine from there told me. And apparently that gives security more leeway with racial profiling. Or something like that.
This friend also happens to be a US citizen, as Republican as they come, believes everything George Bush said, including holding onto that dream of finding WMDs until the end, but STILL maintains that airport security is there for the illusion of safety for the general public…apparently the FBI did a test last year and were able to get fake bomb parts through security. The only thing confiscated were their water bottles.
Only the dumb hijackers are going to get caught, honestly. And those body scanners can’t detect chemicals like the ones sewn into that dude’s underoos…so…
And really, only 9% on average of fatalities in air travel have been from sabotage. That leaves 91% of fatalities due to OTHER reasons. I don’t really think that warrants a million bucks spent on a single body scanner (let alone scanners for multiple airports).
Anyone hear on the news about Hallie Berry and her family being fast tracked through security on the 4th of Jan (when the new measures came into effect and security line ups were MASSIVE)? Apparently her BF asked to be fast tracked because they had a baby and they were late for their plane. Gee. I’m sure a good chunk of passengers also have babies and many were probably late too. Get to the airport earlier, perhaps. And I’m sure the other parents with babies don’t give two shits about Hallie Berry’s kid. They even had a police escort to the front of the line! The police later admitted they were wrong and shouldn’t’ve done that.
Must be nice to be a celebrity. Though, I heard Joan Rivers had a tough time getting out of Costa Rica. Maybe if she didn’t have to much plastic surgery and change her look every week she wouldn’t have much of a problem with her passport.
But I digress….
In Israel even the concession workers are “profilers”. Follow that example and soon the paranoid airport coffee shop worker (who read this bitch) is calling in the gustapo because you gave her stink-eye for the shitty service.
Our Bill of Rights is what makes Canada the greatest nation on the planet. I’m not willing to cash that in over some Nigerian hired by America to scare the shit out of everybody on international news.
My mother lives in a large Canadian city. 85% of the homes on her street house CANADIANS with families abroad and nary a white face in the bunch. Profiling targets EACH of the men in these homes as a terrorist threat BECAUSE of the colour of their skin or the clothing they wear. Do you know how big those families are? How tight they are? Somebody’s always getting married or dying so there’s LOTS of travel for these families. These are my mother’s Canadian, tax paying neighbours. Profiling and questioning each of them as they pass through airport security is a terrible waste of limited human resources.
What are the chances Halle Berre is a terrorist? Perhaps profiling will SAVE taxpayers money if we put a spin of common sense onto it but I’d rather not ditch the cornerstone our country is built on to find out.
Cranky— Those shoulder launched surface to air missile (called a Stinger missile, I believe) are single use, and extremely hard to procure. Right now, the US military are the only ones who have them on any certainty. They would probably be significantly more difficult to procure on the black market and neigh impossible to procure by any weapons manufacturer that produces anything resembling it. The only reason why the Afghan military had them back in the early 80’s is because they were supplied by the US military and strictly controlled, and only because the Hind Ds that were flying over the landscape were decimating Afghan forces and eliminating US interests as well.
Israel has something better than a security force. It’s called the Mossad. It makes the CIA look like a bunch of panty-waists. These guys operate like the terrorists, so they often catch terrorists.
Fever, the Stinger is the American version but there are many types made by various countries (primarily the Big 5….coincidentially they are the same 5 permenant members of the UN Security Council). The Stinger would be difficult to obtain these days (though during and for quite a few years after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan they were quite easy to acquire…due to the fact the US gave them to the Muhjadeen by the hundreds or thousands). The russian or Isreali versions are probably pretty easy to buy…but getting them into North America would be the hard part.
Most have two parts…the launcher and the missile tube (this part being expendible), you just slap in another missile tube and then acquire another target.
Also the Mossad generally don’t capture their targets…they just kill them; which when you think about it is probably the better option. The people they are going after are hardened targets…there will be no rehabilitation for them, just years of confinement (at best). What the Mossad like to do is make it look like one of the other factions have killed the target so that they spend thier efforts retaliating against someone other than Israel…think Hezbollah vs any number of the “Fatah” organizations.
The Mossad are actually suspected of killing a Canadian citizen that was providing technical supoprt to Saddam when he was trying to build a “Super Gun” that could lob ordinance 1000km.
Considering a shoulder launched surface to air missile brought down a plane carrying the president of Rwanda (kicking off the genocide) I’d say that the weapons do exist and that they are capable of falling into the wrong hands. Not a good example, I know, due to the civil war nature of the parties involved in Rwanda, but it just stands to reason, if someone wants something bad enough they will get it. Look at crack.
I wasn’t aware that there were other types, simply due to the fact that the good old fashioned RPG-7 is the weapon of choice for any militia out there. Needless to say though, Fire and Forget shoulder fired SAMs are difficult to procure, and most likely expensive. Which would most likely put it out of reach for all but the richest middle eastern warlord. You’re right about the Mossad though. I was incorrect in saying that they “catch” targets… As to the Canadian you’re talking about, I’m sure he got what was coming to him. I remember watching a Passionate Eye doc about him, and from what information I saw, well, you play with fire, you get burned.
weedhog, you claim you’re not trying to be racist while suggesting that we round up and incarcerate certain Canadian citizens based on their particular ethnic origins. Are you dense, or what? Aside from being a complete and utter violation of our constitutional rights, it’s already been historically proven to be a really shitty idea. It was Japanese Canadians that were put in internment camps in WW2, not Chinese, but I guess they’re all the same to you, eh? Your entire post reeks of bigotry and the type of entitlement that can only be found in those who take the civil liberties of this country for granted. The rights and freedoms set out in the Charter are intended for all Canadians, not just “white guys” like you, and the fact that you’re so willing to sacrifice basic human rights to assuage your irrational fear of “the others” speaks volumes of your integrity.
The RPG is a POS that I wouldn’t trust my life with. I liken it to for low-cost stuff like the M72’s that out military uses. I forget how many misfires and duds we had a on any given afternoon on the range, but its enough to bring the ‘you get what you pay for’ phrase. The RPG-7 shouldn’t even be considered a S-to-A missile, its basically a grenade launcher with a safer shooter to target range. Considering there are Chinese S-to-A missile launchers, its probably only a matter of time before a civilian jetliner is plucked from the sky. But, for the sake of cost comparisons, they’re no match for a brainwashed martyr and whatever amount of explosives they can try to get on a plane.
An RPG is only good up 300m (in experieinced hands) and trying to get a lead on a jet during take-off or landing is difficult at best. One would have to position themselves at one end or another of a runway (which are monitered).
What I find amazing is that those with no weapons training think weapons can do amazing things, which they can’t. Too much Hollywood. The classic two of course are that you can blow up a car by shooting the fuel tank and that a person will fly back 10 feet when hit by a large caliber handgun.
Too true…Mr.Bull did get what was coming, he was willing to deal with anyone that would pay him and in the end that was what made him so dangerous.
The RPG-7 is good for specific things and isn’t very reliable in terms of fine accuracy over any sort of distance, it corkscrews and can richochet quite wildly if it doesn’t hit the target surface correctly. It can however (if used correctly) disable both of Canada’s armored vehicles (Leapord2 Tanks and Coyote LAV III’s).
Cranky, as far as I know we are no longer using the M72 LAW…Canada’s primary anti-tank weapon is the Carl Gustov which is a very effective weapon (and fun to use). You are right that the LAW’s were very unreliable…they had a plastic trigger housing that didn’t properly protect the trigger mechanism and more often than not the f’n things wouldn’t fire, plus they couldn’t punch a hole in wet cardboard.
I am sure if like 2 dozen terrorists all had RPG-7’s and all fired at a plane immediately after take off (this is when the plane will have the least air speed and manoverability) they MIGHT get lucky and score a hit…MIGHT, but even if they did it wouldn’t bring the plane down unless the killed the pilots outright or destroyed the control surfaces on the tail of the plane. The plane would be forced to make an emergency land but I am fairly confident that is about as bad as it would get.
Yah, I’ve fired the carl g, good times. Its been awhile, but I’m pretty sure M72’s are still around but mostly for non armored targets (bunkers and the like).
Yeah I just checked with a friend who is still active and they are still in inventory…still good for technicals (pickup trucks etc) and as you said, bunkers or targets that have turtled up in soft structures.
And more awesome news about the TSA (Tools Standing Around):
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/nyregion…