It they are in the terminal- thay are halfway there to causing trouble. To be fair, the airline employees are a lot more vigilant, so getting out on the ramp or aboard and aircraft is obviously another hurdle.

I would think, with a good representation, one colud craft an ID. Barring an internal chip (RFID), any good forger could fabricate an ID. If not required now, a current and cancelable RFID with every ID should be. If we can monitor pallets of toothpaste for retailers, we ought to be able to do it for crew, and maybe frequent PAX as well.

But my "costume" comment still stands (with no offense to true professionals).

 

Anyone can buy a pilot uniform off the internet, so I don't understand the concern for posting it on a site with airline pilots? Plus, I live in St. Louis and would see who I would selling it to considering they would be in class for Trans States.

Again, my major point is that you can go online a buy navy pants, shirt, tie and epaulettes and no one would think a thing of it. I put my stuff up for sale on a website full of pilots and it gets more posts than when I asked for information on Skywest!

The TSA is useless. Next time you go to the airport, see how many people are standing around. You have one person telling you to take your shoes off, one to watch you walk through the metal detector, one to run the tubs back and forth. The only meaningful person is the one checking the x-ray machine. Take a good look next time and you'll see what I am talking about. Then they give people a hard time over nothing!! I am not a big fan of the TSA.

 

If you sincerely think you can get through security and get access to an aircraft with little more than a costume then you are crazy. But Ill humor you. Ok, so the TSA goons and rent-a-cops drop the ball (big surprise) and youre through security and are running amok in the terminal, so what? I guess you can go knock over chopsticks at the Panda Express or overflow a toilet in the bathroom... To get to any secure areas, including down a jetway, you will need to have an airport and/or airline ID. You're right, one could craft an ID but that ID has to be scanned at certain doors and inspected at others as well as a myriad of different door codes. Maybe I am in the minority, but even if I see someone standing around wearing the proper uniform with the proper ID but they are in an area without an obvious purpose I am going to challenge them.

Now don't get me wrong, as someone who sees airport security everyday I know there are holes. But its a bit like swiss cheese. You might make it through one "hole" or layer but there are many more to overcome. If someone was really determined, very skilled and well connected they might be able to make it through all of them. If a guy buying a hat off eBay or a shirt and epaulettes from Sporty's is a threat, then we need to SERIOUSLY re-examine airport security.

And while we are on the subject of uniforms being used as a threat, what about rampers? I know that here in Houston the Contnental ramp workers just wear blue shorts or pants and tshirts or polos. How hard is that to fake? They go through the same security checkpoints we (pilots) do and have access to the same (if not more) secure areas than we do. Guess we better eliminate blue pants and shorts and tshirts and polos with the Continenal logo on them

PS
Sorry to the guy who was just trying to get rid of a jacket and hat

 

I suppose I'm guilty of beating a dead horse; or perhaps creating a tempest in a teapot. I can't argue the specifics of security outside of the terminal with you- I've only been there once, for a valid reason (nothing I did!), pre 9/11, and obviously with an escort.

My point again- it's a potential piece, however small, of the security layers. If you can buy similar items elsewhere, I suppose it doesn't matter much. I do know you can't by "copwear" without a valid badge and ID.

I purchased a polo shirt with the logo of my favorite airline from the airlines website (think the airline you might leave JetBlue for). I can't tell you the number of passengers and employees (in the public areas and onboard) who asked if I was an employee. "No, I just really like the airline." Once a REAL employee heard that, it was usually good for a comp beer or two. Wore it enough to "pay" for the shirt! But still it was just a shirt.

I'll give you both that you are probably more "right" than I, but I still stand by my thoughts. I do appreciate that you've both kept this thread civil and humored me some by posting about it. I'll concede here and leave gracefully- if that's still possible!

Have safe trips!

 

Wow, lot's of paranoia going on.

Gotta love it.

 

Paranoia or awareness...to-may-toe or to-mah-toe...

 

For cop stuff most vendors require / check your badge # and employment with the department before filling the order.....

-LAFF

 

As a PAX, I have inadvertently gotten through security with "banned" items...and this is after 9/11...not particularly impressive is a stretch LoL.

Actually, they're downright stupid. As a Pilot, I throw my Laptop in a bin and drop my hat on top of it, and they actually look at me, pick up another bin, and place my hat in it by it's lonesome. Absolutely amazing, I think to myself...