EXCLUSIVE: TSA ISSUES SECRET WARNING ON ‘CATASTROPHIC’ THREAT TO AVIATION

[BlueStateSaint]

Off of Drudge, where it's the headline.

EXCLUSIVE: TSA ISSUES SECRET WARNING ON ‘CATASTROPHIC’ THREAT TO AVIATION

BY JANA WINTER



The Transportation Security Administration said it is unlikely to detect and unable to extinguish what an FBI report called “the greatest potential incendiary threat to aviation,” according to a classified document obtained by The Intercept. Yet despite that warning, sources said TSA is not adequately preparing to respond to the threat.

Thermite — a mixture of rust and aluminum powder — could be used against a commercial aircraft, TSA warned in a Dec. 2014 document, marked secret [PDF here]. “The ignition of a thermite-based incendiary device on an aircraft at altitude could result in catastrophic damage and the death of every person onboard,” the advisory said.

TSA said it is unlikely to spot an easy-to-assemble thermite-based incendiary device during security screening procedures, and the use of currently available extinguishers carried on aircrafts would create a violent reaction. The TSA warning is based on FBI testing done in 2011, and a subsequent report.

A thermite device, though difficult to ignite, would “produce toxic gasses, which can act as nerve poison, as well as a thick black smoke that will significantly inhibit any potential for in-flight safety officers to address the burn.”

TSA warned federal air marshals not to use customary methods of extinguishing fires — the water or halon fire extinguishers currently found on most aircraft — which would make the reaction worse, creating toxic fumes. Instead, air marshals are told to “recognize a thermite ignition” — but TSA has provided no training or guidance on how to do so, according to multiple sources familiar with the issue.

Scary stuff.  The rest is here:  https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/02/25/tsa-issues-secret-warning-catastrophic-threat-aviation/

[thundley4]

It's not  just rust and aluminum powder that you need. You also have to have a high temperature ignition source, usually magnesium.   I first made some when I was in my teens, and you could by the three components at a local hardware store in their toy section.  They sold a lot of different chemicals along with books on experiments for kids.

[JohnnyReb]

It's not  just rust and aluminum powder that you need. You also have to have a high temperature ignition source, usually magnesium.   I first made some when I was in my teens, and you could by the three components at a local hardware store in their toy section.  They sold a lot of different chemicals along with books on experiments for kids.

Where there's a will, there's a way and MOO-hammed will find it.

[Big Dog]

TSA warned federal air marshals not to use customary methods of extinguishing fires — the water or halon fire extinguishers currently found on most aircraft — which would make the reaction worse, creating toxic fumes. Instead, air marshals are told to “recognize a thermite ignition” — but TSA has provided no training or guidance on how to do so, according to multiple sources familiar with the issue.

Here's the new Air Marshal training program:

1. Recognize a thermite ignition.

2. Try to put it out. Die.

3. Don't try to put it out. Die anyway.

[thundley4]

http://www.nbcdfw.com/investigations/NBC-5-Investigation-Finds-Hundreds-of-Airport-Security-Badges-Missing-293925261.html

NBC 5 Investigation Finds Hundreds of Airport Security Badges Missing

TSA blocks access to missing badge records after NBC 5 Investigates’ request

An exclusive NBC 5 investigation found hundreds and perhaps even thousands of airport security badges, known as Secure Identification Display Area (SIDA) badges, are unaccounted for across the country.
NBC 5 Investigates requested records from some of the nation's largest airports asking how many SIDA badges are unaccounted for.
t
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sent a response saying more than 1,400 badges were lost or stolen over approximately two years.
Larry Wansley, who once led security for American Airlines, believes the missing badges present serious concerns for security officials and are something terrorists would like to have possession of in order to compromise security.

Before NBC 5 Investigates could get missing ID badge information from other airports, like Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Transportation Security Administration stepped in and said we couldn't have those numbers.

[DLR Pyro]

Where there's a will, there's a way and MOO-hammed will find it.

yes but the government has bigger threats to concern themselves with such as global warming climate change.

[obumazombie]

yes but the government has bigger threats to concern themselves with such as global warming climate change.

Yeah, did you ever notice that when "glow bull warming" was retired the libs stopped using the term green house gases ?

[DumbAss Tanker]

On the bright side, the thermite will burn its way right out of the plane PDQ, at which point the normal firefighting stuff regains its normal dismal level of efficacy.  As long as there isn't a fuel tank between the molten iron and "Down," anyway.

[JohnnyReb]

On the bright side, the thermite will burn its way right out of the plane PDQ, at which point the normal firefighting stuff regains its normal dismal level of efficacy.  As long as there isn't a fuel tank between the molten iron and "Down," anyway.

What are the chances the pilot would have time to swoop down over the white house just as it burns its way out? Sort of dive bomb the white house with it.

[DLR Pyro]

What are the chances the pilot would have time to swoop down over the white house just as it burns its way out? Sort of dive bomb the white house with it.

make sure the muslim in chief is home first