Re: questions

[Ted de Castro <tdc@XRAYTED.COM>]

An then maybe if a few of those HONEST passengers had managed to smuggle

a weapon on board one of those planes - instead of being rendered

helpless victims by the system - MAYBE the hijackers would not have

succeeded!



Anyhow - the process is so full of holes - its ridiculous. And any

effective process would be so draconian as to violate those rights we

supposedly wish to defend.



On the other hand were the perpetrators to be convinced that retribution

would be swift and wide spread - they MIGHT be deterred!



"Westerdale, Bob" wrote:

> 

> As an Engineer for Philips X-Ray in the 80's, I worked to develop a digital

> X-Ray TV system which was used extensively in airport security screening

> installations.  We struggled to refine the designs to enable the detection

> of 30 gauge wire ( bomb detonation circuits) and to maximize the shades of

> gray on the TV monitor to enable the operator to see whatever plastic

> explosives had been packed in with the regular suitcase stuffing.  Using

> very sensitive Phosphors and photodiodes, we were able to keep the dose

> 'film safe' while still resolving a high quality psuedo-real time B&W

> picture.  I trained the airline personnel, who as security system trainers

> were responsible for hiring and managing the crews that X-Rayed all the

> carry-ons. A trained eye could easily see the difference between a possible

> threat and a normal vacationer's travel bag.

> (Before I go further, I sincerely apologize to the many airport security

> agents who have performed their duties with exceptional attention to detail,

> I'm sure they have prevented untold numbers of   low-lifes from carrying

> dangerous goods on board.......)  Having said that, the fundamental problem

> with airport baggage inspection is that the operators- the folks watching

> the video- are very often simply not able to scrutinize the screen on a

> continuous basis. The become distracted, choosing instead to chat with their

> co-workers, watch the passengers, or even simply day-dream while peering at

> the monitor.  Many of these folks are paid  barely above minimum wage, and

> might be politely called 'under-achievers'.  Economic pressures in the

> Airline business are intense, and the temptation to reduce the cost of

> screening the passengers is obvious.

>         My Point?  the weak link is the person watching the TV Monitor.  It

> is unlikely that we'll ever have a foolproof computerized weapon-image

> recognition system, so IMHO, until the airlines ( or maybe the FAA now! )

> makes the transition  to 100% serious, attentive baggage screeners, the

> opportunity for concealed weapons getting onboard will continue to exist.  I

> repeat my apology to those Inspectors who are conscientious and vigilant in

> their duties. There are plenty of them, but as evidenced by the recent

> events, there is a lot of room for improvement.

> Bob Westerdale

> RSO, EDAX, Inc.

> 

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Ted de Castro [mailto:tdc@XRAYTED.COM]

> While waiting to pick someone up at the airport someday - just watch the

> inspection station.  I did that and saw at least one obvious way to by

> pass both metal detector and xray and a way that would have easily

> allowed a ceramic weapon or 1/2 pound of plastique to pass undetected.

> And in the 1/2 hour I watched I saw this happen 5 times!

> 

> I am not advocating more airport security!!  I don't like what we

> already have!  BUT - they make a show of pretending to have security by

> "nudging" personal rights and inconveniencing the average person - but

> all the while being totally ineffective against anyone who really wants

> to get away with something!

> 

> Paul William Shafer wrote:

> >

> > Dear radsafe members:

> >

> > My first question is related to airport security:

> >

> >    If a terrorist conceals a ceramic razor in a

> > plastic case placed in the soles of shoes or boots or

> > in a belt, would this be detected by any current or

> > proposed security measure at airport boarding areas?

> >

> > This same question would apply to C-4 explosive

> > material implanted in shoes or belts or for that

> > matter temporarily ingested in a plastic bag just

> > prior to entry into a plane?

> >

> >

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