He could get a job as a "consultant". I guess if his family tree has a branch somewhere near "K" Street, he might anyhow. Seems that this college kid not only left the forbidden materials on the aircraft, they were there a month, he told them what planes they were on and the TSA Rocket-Scientists still never did anything.
Heatwole told authorities that he left packages on four of the six planes, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas DiBiagio. Other packages were found on April 13 and April 14 in planes in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Tampa, Fla., but it was unclear when they were planted.
The TSA, which received Heatwole's e-mail, did not send it to the FBI until last Friday. FBI agents then located Heatwole and interviewed him.
...
The e-mail provided details of where the plastic bags were hidden — right down to the exact dates and flight numbers — and even provided Heatwole's name and telephone number.
Remember this the next time you have to take off your shoes at the airport...
How dumb has this whole process gotten, when they have explicit knowledge of a 'threat' and can't find their asses with both hands in a well-lit room? Simply Amazing. TSA=Transportaton Slacker Association? Perhaps. I mean other than make up rules, and make the screeners enforce them, what do the senior TSA officials do besides play power politics and try to get more money?
Not much apparently. Certainly not read their email.
posted by Jo Fish on 10.20.03 at 11:50 PM
Comments:
If the Homeland Security Agency had used one of its agents to test the airlines' security systems in a similar fashion to this young man, s/he would probably have received a promotion. If this young man can penetrate these systems, what would stop others? Give the kid a slap on the wrist and tell the Homeland Security Agency and the airlines to do a better job. When the government doesn't do the job, should the public passively sit on its hands? Yes, the kid should not have done this. But he has performed a public service. This kid should not be burdened with a criminal record. He may be a future leader we shall need. The government should not proceed on the basis that it has been embarrassed and therefore must punish this kid. Give the kid a stern lecture that he and the rest of us can profit from.
posted by: Shag from Brookline on 10.21.03 at 06:56 AM [permalink]
Actually, Shag, if I were King For A Day, I'd take the kid aside and tell him, "Listen, don't do thats hit any more. Next time you get a bright idea like this, contact me, and we'll talk about it. You're in school? Here's a part-tme contract. I'm putting you on the payroll at $400/month as a consultant, pending background security check. Each really good idea you come up with gets a bonus. And when you're out of school, let's talk about what youw ant to do next. Givernment actually needs people who think."
posted by: Lurch on 10.21.03 at 10:25 AM [permalink]
