Airport security failures persist Simulated weapons slip by

[tycoonjack]

Airport security failures persist Simulated weapons slip by 1 in 4 times

Checkpoint screeners at 32 of the nation's largest airports failed to detect fake weapons -- guns, dynamite or bombs -- in almost a quarter of undercover tests by the Transportation Security Administration last month, documents obtained by USA TODAY show.

The tests, the first since the security agency began overseeing checkpoint screening in February, were done by agents who were instructed to do little to try to conceal the items as they passed through screening checkpoints, memos about the tests show.

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Screeners miss even obvious items Failed checkpoint test may signal continuing problems

When officials with the Transportation Security Administration hire at least 45,000 airport screeners by late this year, they most likely will be forced to choose from among a group that has difficulty spotting even obvious weapons.

Forget the sophisticated bomb that a terrorist might conceal in the lining of a carry-on bag. TSA test results obtained by USA TODAY show checkpoint screeners at 32 of the largest airports missed almost a quarter of potential weapons -- and 30% of simulated bombs -- when the items were tossed into a suitcase like a passenger packs a pair of socks.

[tycoonjack]

US airports safer but not watertight

Federal undercover inspectors in the United States managed to get one in four weapons past airport security checkpoints in June.
The fake guns and bombs and other weapons got past screeners during tests at 32 major airports.

But the figures released by sources in the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) show a marked improvement on the situation when supervision was in the hands of the airlines.