• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Airport Security - You Won't Believe This

B

Bob K

Deceased
Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2010

As the Chalk Leader for my flight home from Afghanistan, I witnessed the following:
When we were on our way back from Afghanistan, we flew out of Baghram Air Field. We went through customs at BAF, full body scanners (no groping), had all of our bags searched, the whole nine yards.


Our first stop was Shannon, Ireland to refuel. After that, we had to stop at Indianapolis, Indiana to drop off about 100 folks from the Indiana National Guard. That's where the stupid started.


First, everyone was forced to get off the plane-even though the plane wasn't refueling again. All 330 people got off that plane, rather than let the 100 people from the ING get off. We were filed from the plane to a holding area. No vending machines, no means of escape. Only a male/female latrine.


It's probably important to mention that we were ALL carrying weapons. Everyone was carrying an M4 Carbine (rifle) and some, like me, were also carrying an M9 pistol. Oh, and our gunners had M-240B machine guns. Of
course, the weapons weren't loaded. And we had been cleared of all ammo well before we even got to customs at Baghram, then AGAIN at customs.


The TSA personnel at the airport seriously considered making us unload all of the baggage from the SECURE cargo hold to have it re-inspected. Keep in mind, this cargo had been unpacked, inspected piece by piece by
U.S. Customs officials, resealed and had bomb-sniffing dogs give it a one-hour run through. After two hours of sitting in this holding area, the TSA decided not to reinspect our Cargo-just to inspect us again.


Soldiers on the way home from war, who had already been inspected, re-inspected and kept in a SECURE holding area for 2 hours. Ok, whatever. So we lined up to go through security AGAIN.


This is probably another good time to remind you all that all of us were carrying actual assault rifles, and some of us were also carrying pistols. So we're in line, going through one at a time. One of our Soldiers had his Gerber multi-tool. TSA confiscated it. Kind of ridiculous, but it gets better. A few minutes later, a guy empties his pockets and has a pair of nail clippers.. Nail clippers. TSA informs the Soldier that they're going to confiscate his nail clippers.



The conversation went something like this:


TSA Guy: You can't take those on the plane.



Soldier: What? I've had them since we left country.



TSA Guy: You're not suppose to have them.



Soldier: Why?



TSA Guy: They can be used as a weapon.



Soldier: [touches butt stock of the rifle] But this actually is a weapon. And I'm allowed to take it on.



TSA Guy: Yeah but you can't use it to take over the plane. You don't have bullets.



Soldier: And I can take over the plane with nail clippers?



TSA Guy: [awkward silence]



Me: Dude, just give him your damn nail clippers so we can get the f**k out of here. I'll buy you a new set.



Soldier: [hands nail clippers to TSA guy, makes it through security] To top it off, the tsa demanded we all be swabbed for "explosive residue" detection. Everyone failed, [go figure, we just came home from a war zone], because we tested positive for "Gun Powder Residue". Who the F**K is hiring these people?


This might be a good time to remind everyone that approximately 233 people re-boarded that plane with assault rifles, pistols, and machine guns-but nothing that could have been used as a weapon. Can someone please tell me what the F**K happened to OUR country while we were gone?


Sgt. Mad Dog Tracy
​
 
I saw this awhile back, Could not belive it.
Talked to Jr about it, said pretty much the same deal, customs in Iraq, fuel in Iceland, customs again in Connecticut, than HAAF, only he said the customs in the US were very polite, and did not mess with anyone.
It is amazing though that they would mess with a bunch of guys coming out of the armpit of the world, carrying weapons, lucky they didnt really pizz them off.
 
1) I've never understood why we're flying these guys back on civilian aircraft? Don't we have an "Air Force?"
2) Why the hell they make them clear civilian Customs?

If we can't trust our own military officers to do a proper contraband and paperwork check, then we have a much biugger problem.

Have them do it, submit to customs, move on.....:wavey:
 
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I agree have them show I.D and let them go.they've been thru enough crap.
Shadow said:
1) I've never understood why we're flying these guys back on civilian aircraft? Don't we have an "Air Force?"
2) Why the hell they make them clear civilian Customs?

If we can't trust our own military officers to do a proper contraband and paperwork check, then we have a much biugger problem.

Have them do it, submit to custome, move on.....:wavey:
Click to expand...
 
Shadow said:
1) I've never understood why we're flying these guys back on civilian aircraft? Don't we have an "Air Force?"
2) Why the hell they make them clear civilian Customs?

If we can't trust our own military officers to do a proper contraband and paperwork check, then we have a much biugger problem.

Have them do it, submit to customs, move on.....:wavey:
Click to expand...

Well, if you've ever been on a C130 you would know you don't want to travel in one however, they do rent civilian aircraft for transport.

Makes no sense to run them through security even though there was that sick SOB in Texas.
 
Bob K said:
Well, if you've ever been on a C130 you would know you don't want to travel in one however, they do rent civilian aircraft for transport.

Makes no sense to run them through security even though there was that sick SOB in Texas.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've spent a "little time" on the 130:D
It's not exactly 1st class.
Hell, it's not a "class" at all, but it's a ride home, it's already paid for by the taxpayer, and you don't have to put up with the BS from TSA:thumbsup:

Besides, we have "other aircraft" in our military and government service that could be pressed into service.

We could use any number of "executive" government aircraft available in our fleet, presently used to fly suits and generals around the world:yesnod:

All military. Still no need to have to screw with Customs CBP.
Just doesn't make sense!
 
Shadow said:
Yeah, I've spent a "little time" on the 130:D
It's not exactly 1st class.
Hell, it's not a "class" at all, but it's a ride home, it's already paid for by the taxpayer, and you don't have to put up with the BS from TSA:thumbsup:

Besides, we have "other aircraft" in our military and government service that could be pressed into service.

We could use any number of "executive" government aircraft available in our fleet, presently used to fly suits and generals around the world:yesnod:

All military. Still no need to have to screw with Customs CBP.
Just doesn't make sense!
Click to expand...

Well sir, I didn't know you had been on a C130 and I beg your forgiveness. (if you believe that you're a total mess. :D)

I don't know of any military passenger planes and I am an expert. :rofl1: Seriously, we all agree that was bulishlt and I believe the stripes in charge can put an immediate stop to it. Why don't they? I'll guess because it takes some effort.
 
Bob K said:
Well sir, I didn't know you had been on a C130 and I beg your forgiveness. (if you believe that you're a total mess. :D)

I don't know of any military passenger planes and I am an expert. :rofl1: Seriously, we all agree that was bulishlt and I believe the stripes in charge can put an immediate stop to it. Why don't they? I'll guess because it takes some effort.
Click to expand...

Lol.What kind of minneapolis auto repair expert you are??? :D
 
Bob K said:
Well sir, I didn't know you had been on a C130 and I beg your forgiveness. (if you believe that you're a total mess. :D)

I don't know of any military passenger planes and I am an expert. :rofl1: Seriously, we all agree that was bulishlt and I believe the stripes in charge can put an immediate stop to it. Why don't they? I'll guess because it takes some effort.
Click to expand...

:rofl1:Well, I am a total mess, but that's another story:lmao:
The military (and other Gov't agencies) have "executive aircraft" that we the taxpayer, are already paying for:thumbsup:
These aircraft are as nice, and in many cases, nicer, than commercial aircraft, and could be used without incurring additional taxpayer cost.

Cost aside, even using commercial aircraft, why not simply have them land at a military facility, pick up the troop once they've been cleared by an appointed offical within thier command, transport them wherever, then land at another military facility.

No civilians involved (other than the flight crew), they go point "A" to Point "B" where they'll be debriefed, medically cleared, etc (any outprocessing they need to do) and are reunited with thier families in private!

By having one person (or team) designated as the Customs POC, you have a single POC and total accountability for the troops, without subjecting each and every one of them individually, to the rediculous TSA BS in public!

By using this method, it's no different than having a captain held responsible for the actions of his/her ship and crew.:thumbsup:
 
Shadow said:
:rofl1:Well, I am a total mess, but that's another story:lmao:
The military (and other Gov't agencies) have "executive aircraft" that we the taxpayer, are already paying for:thumbsup:
These aircraft are as nice, and in many cases, nicer, than commercial aircraft, and could be used without incurring additional taxpayer cost.

Cost aside, even using commercial aircraft, why not simply have them land at a military facility, pick up the troop once they've been cleared by an appointed offical within thier command, transport them wherever, then land at another military facility.

No civilians involved (other than the flight crew), they go point "A" to Point "B" where they'll be debriefed, medically cleared, etc (any outprocessing they need to do) and are reunited with thier families in private!

By having one person (or team) designated as the Customs POC, you have a single POC and total accountability for the troops, without subjecting each and every one of them individually, to the rediculous TSA BS in public!

By using this method, it's no different than having a captain held responsible for the actions of his/her ship and crew.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Well for one thing you're usually talking about several hundred troops and small aircraft. I have no clue what aircraft the brass flies in.

I am guessing the majority of military fields are to short for civilian aircraft. That again is a guess. Maybe I can Google that and come up with something. Your post makes too much sense so there must be a good reason not to do that. Right? :rofl1:
 
Bob K said:
Well for one thing you're usually talking about several hundred troops and small aircraft. I have no clue what aircraft the brass flies in.

I am guessing the majority of military fields are to short for civilian aircraft. That again is a guess. Maybe I can Google that and come up with something. Your post makes too much sense so there must be a good reason not to do that. Right? :rofl1:
Click to expand...

That's (one reason) why I could never be a politician.
They lack common sense.

We're not talking about small aircraft.

Most military airfields, even those in the box, will accomodate a large transport. As such, any civilian airliner short of a 767 should be able to get in and out with ease:thumbsup:

The worse case scenario?

They might have to turn over the controls on take off and landing to a military pilot. Hell, cruise ships do this all the time!
You don't think Capt'n Ahab is actually docking his own ship to you?:lmao:

Hell no:NoNo:
It's a harbor pilot. Someone who is intimately familiar with the waters:thumbsup:
As for the types of aircraft, I forget the designations, but As I recall, they were using 707's in the day, 727's, etc, and A300 Airbusses (or the equivalent). Pretty much what you'll see on a common passenger flight, the military has an eqivalent.:thumbsup:

My son has a book of U.S. Military aircraft. Shows pretty much everything we have.
 
TSA is unbelievable sometimes. I understand they have a job to do but dayum! When I deployed to the middle east for the first gulf war, we flew over on a military C-5 Galaxy and flew back on a civilian 747. Back then (pre 911) there was no problem with customs either way.

Most, if not all, civilian airlines can be pressed into service by the military if need be. But the ops tempo now is insane and the military airlifters are hard pressed to meet their commitments. It may simply be that there were no military aircraft available during the required time frame. It's hard to say.:shrug01: Whatever the case, your frustration level is gonna be pretty high when you encounter situations like that.
 
Mark Dalton said:
TSA is unbelievable sometimes. I understand they have a job to do but dayum! When I deployed to the middle east for the first gulf war, we flew over on a military C-5 Galaxy and flew back on a civilian 747. Back then (pre 911) there was no problem with customs either way.

Most, if not all, civilian airlines can be pressed into service by the military if need be. But the ops tempo now is insane and the military airlifters are hard pressed to meet their commitments. It may simply be that there were no military aircraft available during the required time frame. It's hard to say.:shrug01: Whatever the case, your frustration level is gonna be pretty high when you encounter situations like that.
Click to expand...

And how much did you enjoy the long haul in the C5?
 
It was actually not bad. We sat in the upper deck in airline type seats. All that was missing were windows and flight attendants. I've flown in C-141's, KC-135's, and C-130's and they used jump seats along the fuselage of the aircraft. Not good at all for long trips.:nonod:
 
Mark Dalton said:
It was actually not bad. We sat in the upper deck in airline type seats. All that was missing were windows and flight attendants. I've flown in C-141's, KC-135's, and C-130's and they used jump seats along the fuselage of the aircraft. Not good at all for long trips.:nonod:
Click to expand...

I was assuming jump seats in the C5. I've worked on all of these (electronics) and never have seen that configuration. Thanks Mark.
 
Mark Dalton said:
It was actually not bad. We sat in the upper deck in airline type seats. All that was missing were windows and flight attendants. I've flown in C-141's, KC-135's, and C-130's and they used jump seats along the fuselage of the aircraft. Not good at all for long trips.:nonod:
Click to expand...

That's what we used....sucked on long hauls.
 
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