4 ms·

TSA: Man checked missile launcher in luggage at BWI airport

9 points by tellarin 7y ago

anfilt 7y ago
It was not a live device according to the article. So whats the big deal... Also sounds like it was luggage not carry on. Also from understanding its even possible to have firearms as checked luggage but requires it be prearranged or something. A deactivated launcher should be less of concern. He probably forgot some paper work. Althoug, guy should have probably just mailed it to himself then...
- anfilt 7y ago
  yea after looking here probably did not properly declare things. Although, no idea how a deactivated device is classfied for flight. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunit...
- jjeaff 7y ago
  TSA is just fulfilling it's true mission, "security theater". You can check a fully functional firearm in your checked baggage and the only requirement is that it be unloaded and in a locked (not a tsa lock, a real lock) hard side case. Then you simply declare it upon check in at the airline counter.
  - beatgammit 7y ago
    > security theater There's a reason it's called "Theatrical Security Administration". I don't know why we still put up with this garbage. It seems we're the only ones in the world who do security like this. I understand the need for basic security at the airport, but IMO that should be limited to identification (checking for wanted persons) and bringing on dangerous things that could cause problems in flight (compressed air, flammable substances, etc). Everything else should be between the airline and the government, since bad actors are unlikely to try to sneak things through regular airport security.
    - jjk166 7y ago
      It is security theater but it's set up that way for good reason. The long winding lines are intended to let cameras get good images of you from multiple angles and have time to run those images through a database. Anyone flagged is standing for several minutes in a heavily guarded area with no electronics, no shoes, not even a belt: they're in no position to run, hide, or fight.
  - shaftway 7y ago
    It's worth checking one in with your luggage, because it requires a real, non-TSA lock. TSA isn't allowed to open it. And if they can't open it, your expensive property can't "accidentally fall out".
aaron695 7y ago
Legal as you'd guess, just not allowed by airline rules. "the missile launcher appears to be an AGM-176 Griffin, a lightweight, precision-guided munition developed by Raytheon." https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-29/tsa-finds-missile-launcher-mans-luggage-baltimore-airport https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-29/tsa-finds-missile-...
Karishma12347 7y ago
This reminded me of a train journey where the ticket checker loudly proclaimed that he had found a bundle of Rs 100 notes in a red rubber band. Everyone claimed that it was theirs. The ticker checker than gave everyone a red rubber band and said here you go, I only found the rubberband but not the money. A rocket launcher without the rocket is like a granade pin without the granade.

9 points by tellarin 7y ago

It was not a live device according to the article. So whats the big deal... Also sounds like it was luggage not carry on. Also from understanding its even possible to have firearms as checked luggage but requires it be prearranged or something. A deactivated launcher should be less of concern. He probably forgot some paper work. Althoug, guy should have probably just mailed it to himself then...

anfilt 7y ago
yea after looking here probably did not properly declare things. Although, no idea how a deactivated device is classfied for flight. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunit...
jjeaff 7y ago
TSA is just fulfilling it's true mission, "security theater". You can check a fully functional firearm in your checked baggage and the only requirement is that it be unloaded and in a locked (not a tsa lock, a real lock) hard side case. Then you simply declare it upon check in at the airline counter.
- beatgammit 7y ago
  > security theater There's a reason it's called "Theatrical Security Administration". I don't know why we still put up with this garbage. It seems we're the only ones in the world who do security like this. I understand the need for basic security at the airport, but IMO that should be limited to identification (checking for wanted persons) and bringing on dangerous things that could cause problems in flight (compressed air, flammable substances, etc). Everything else should be between the airline and the government, since bad actors are unlikely to try to sneak things through regular airport security.
  - jjk166 7y ago
    It is security theater but it's set up that way for good reason. The long winding lines are intended to let cameras get good images of you from multiple angles and have time to run those images through a database. Anyone flagged is standing for several minutes in a heavily guarded area with no electronics, no shoes, not even a belt: they're in no position to run, hide, or fight.
- shaftway 7y ago
  It's worth checking one in with your luggage, because it requires a real, non-TSA lock. TSA isn't allowed to open it. And if they can't open it, your expensive property can't "accidentally fall out".

aaron695 7y ago

Legal as you'd guess, just not allowed by airline rules. "the missile launcher appears to be an AGM-176 Griffin, a lightweight, precision-guided munition developed by Raytheon." https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-29/tsa-finds-missile-launcher-mans-luggage-baltimore-airport https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-29/tsa-finds-missile-...

Karishma12347 7y ago

This reminded me of a train journey where the ticket checker loudly proclaimed that he had found a bundle of Rs 100 notes in a red rubber band. Everyone claimed that it was theirs. The ticker checker than gave everyone a red rubber band and said here you go, I only found the rubberband but not the money. A rocket launcher without the rocket is like a granade pin without the granade.