Ink - a threat?

[Chris]

Security is on everybody's mind and there have been reports that no liquids may be taken on planes, but according to a story in The Telegraph at the weekend it seems that one official in a regional airport in France took things to the extreme.

In his view, fountain pens should not contain any ink!

 

There was a lovely little cartoon under the story. Picture the weary traveller, facing the non-plussed French airport security official who is wearing the typical little round French peaked cap.

 

In our friend's hand is a fountain pen. There is a stream of ink jetting out from the nib and pouring all over the face of said becapped official.

 

And from the mouth of our weary traveller come the words, "Voila, monsieur! It is empty now!"

 

:roflmho:

 

Chris

 

edit for typo!

Edited September 12, 2006 by Chris

[Gerry]

A snork would be just the instrument for that!!!

 

But, then again, they'd probably sieze it for the obviously deadly spear point that is surreptiously hidden inside.

 

Gerry

[FLZapped]

A snork would be just the instrument for that!!!

 

But, then again, they'd probably sieze it for the obviously deadly spear point that is surreptiously hidden inside.

 

Gerry

HOLY COW, I could just imagine the panic that would ensue. Probably think it was a chemical/biological weapon delivery system.....

 

 

 

:roflmho:

 

-Bruce

[kissing]

Hmm, then perhaps terrorists will learn to store their explosive chemicals in a ballpoint pen, rather than a fountain pen <_<

 

It's actually just as easy to do, so I reckon its utterly pointless for airport security to restrict inks in fountain pens *sioh* Just another one of those incidences where protocol fails to serve its purpose, but rather cause unnecessary inconveniences. However, security is important I guess. . .

[tonydacrow]

The answer is to screen and restrict individuals rather than "stuff." One can make deadly devices out of anything. (I won't be giving examples.) Screen individuals, place sky marshalls on board and allow any off-duty officer to fly with their weapons and you won't see any more skyjackings. Until then, don't take your expensive pens when you travel.

 

BTW, anyone else have the sneeking suspicion that some TSA officers "go shopping" when they restrict what you take on board? "No, I'm sorry Sir. That $1000 LE edition fountain pen can't come on board so hand it over; but your .50 cent bic is OK." <_<

[kissing]

BTW, anyone else have the sneeking suspicion that some TSA officers "go shopping" when they restrict what you take on board? "No, I'm sorry Sir. That $1000 LE edition fountain pen can't come on board so hand it over; but your .50 cent bic is OK." <_<

My father had something like this happen to him about 10 years ago (before all the terror-scare was present in airplanes).

 

He accidently had a Swiss Army knife in his carry bag, and the staff said they would hold onto it and give it back after they land.

 

The plane landed - the staff who took the knife was no-where to be seen <_<

 

But then again, he might have just forgotten, but I find that doubtful.

[meanwhile]

Tonydacrow wrote:

The answer is to screen and restrict individuals rather than "stuff." 

 

Individuals ARE screened. It just can't be done very reliably with the time and resources available. Restricting items is an extra - and probably more effective - measure.

 

 

One can make deadly devices out of anything.  (I won't be giving examples.)

 

Ah, the Internet...

 

 

Screen individuals, place sky marshalls on board and allow any off-duty officer to fly with their weapons and you won't see any more skyjackings.

 

These new security measures are about bombs, not hijackings.

Edited September 14, 2006 by meanwhile

[Chris]

But I do think that the current level of disruption to everyday business (and leisure) is indicative that the bad guys have won this particular round.

 

Quite different in many cities where normal life - for most people - carries on in spite of some incidents.

 

Where to find the right balance? ... If only I had an answer instead of just questions.

 

Chris

[tonydacrow]

Hate to disagree with you, Meanwhile. But, the country with the most successful airline security is Israel. They screen for individuals. The items they allow on board would make US TSA officials blanch. As for bomb making materials: anyone with a US army manual of improvised explosive devices can make very effective IED’s that no one would ever detect until it's too late. As for the last comment, you caught me. I said hijacking when I should have said any assorted nefarious activities which place the vessel or its occupants in danger.

 

But back to pens; I like fountain pens!

[DWL]

On a semi side note. When I flew out to Dc for the show. I had my Zippo lighter that I've carried for more than 10 years. I didn't even think twice about it. I dropped it in the rubber tub along with all of my other metal "stuff" I carry on a daily basis, my shoes & what not. I transfered planes in chicago did the same thing again, no one said a thing about it. Went to the smoking lounge whipped it out & some of the other passengers looked at me like I got away with something. Pretty much blew it off.

 

On the way home I did the same thing again in Dulles airport. They nearly had a cow that I was trying to bring a lighter on the plane. "Matches are ok though" (say what??!!??) I'm sorry sir you'll have to mail it to yourself or dispose of it here in this can. Not happening, not going to spend $15.00 to mail the thing home (what it was going to cost) No way I'm going to trash my favorite lighter that Venus bought for me.

 

What to do. No lighters allowed huh.........AH HA!!

 

I pulled the "guts/stack" out of it. (the inner portion that holds the fluid, wading, wheel, flint etc) tossed it in the trash can along with the other dozen or so lighters already in there. I even spotted a friggin' gold dupont in there!! I think your right, those screeners really make out these days. They said they don't get to keep anything thats banned but, I think we all know thats a load of BS.

 

Anyway......

 

(Screener) "I'm sorry sir you'll have to dispose of the entire thing"

 

Why? this isn't a lighter anymore

 

(Screener) "Yes it is sir, you'll have to dispose of it before you can pass this checkpoint"

 

(Handing it to him) Ok here ya go geinus...show me how to make even a spark with this now?

 

(Screener) I can't make a spark or flame with this in the airport sir.

 

:bonk: You couldn't make anything with it if you tried....It's not a lighter anymore, it's a silver box.

 

(Screener) "Sir I'm confiscating this"

 

No your not.... call your supervisor over here please.

 

(Screener) He wants to bring this onboard.....

 

(Supervisor) "I'm sorry sir you can't bring lighters on the plane"

 

It's not a lighter, it's a silver colored box

 

(Supervisor) "Sir this is a lighter"

 

Deep sigh..."Really?? Ok, so make some flame with it"

 

(Supervisor) (opening it up & looking it over)...um..I can't....

 

Why not?

 

(Supervisor) Theres no innards in it.

 

Then what's the problem?

 

(supervisor) (gets an "I see your point" look on his face) No problem at all sir, here's your box. have a nice flight.

 

Uh HUH...Oh Yeah...Dennis wins....lol

 

<_< :blink: :blink: :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1:

 

What i don't understand is why can someone bring matches but not a lighter? It would be so much easier to set a boobytrap/bomb/time delay whatever with a pack of matches & a lit cigarette than it ever would be with a lighter.

 

 

Got home, dropped in a new set of "guts" from a broken one I just couldn't bring myself to throw away & all is well.

 

Dennis

[kissing]

oh my goodness, those goofballs at the airport Air heads :bonk:

 

You spotted a gold Dupont in the can ?! Dang, I woulda picked it up, even if it was in a bin

 

As with the lighter/matches thing. I think it's something to do with the fear that a lighter will magically ignite itself while in the storage compartment and cause a fire

[WillAdams]

Check eBay for the Dupont lighter. All such confiscated items are turned over to the state the airport is in and most of them auction the stuff off on eBay. There's also a huge store in Mississippi where all items lost on an airplane eventually make their way to be sold.

 

TSA personnel are _not_ allowed to nick stuff and _will_ be reprimanded or fired for attempting to --- really, they should be too concerned with doing their jobs to be distracted by pretty shiny things in a bin.

 

Nice that they offer to let one mail things though (even if it's $15) by a strict interpretation of the rules they can press charges. For my part, I've always thought that everyone should get a receipt when getting on the plane which entitles them to take a functionally equivalent item out of the bin at their destination point.

 

William

[kathywc]

As with the lighter/matches thing. I think it's something to do with the fear that a lighter will magically ignite itself while in the storage compartment and cause a fire

actually, from what I understand, it has more to do with the fact that they caught the shoe bomber trying to light his shoes with a match based on the smell of the match.

 

kathy wc

[kissing]

Check eBay for the Dupont lighter.

The Dupont was a LIGHTER? :bonk:

 

I thought he was talking about a Dupont Fountain Pen - :roflmho: :ltcapd:

 

Oops