CANADA

On Monday (28/12), Transport Canada (TC) put in place enhanced security measures for passengers on flights bound for the United States. US bound passengers will not be allowed to bring carry on bags into the cabin of the aircraft, with some exceptions. Passengers may carry with them the following items: medication or medical devices, small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, a special needs item, musical instruments, or diplomatic or consular bags. TC has also authorised the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to use RCMP and local police officers to actively assist with some procedures specific to the screening process. Pax were advised to arrive at the airport three hours in advance of their scheduled flight time to allow for delays caused by the new procedures.


ITALY

On Tuesday (29/12), parts of Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) were evacuated after an unattended parcel was found was discovered in a gents toilet in the arrivals area of the terminal. The Interior Ministry said that the parcel, measuring 20 x 10cm, was wrapped in tape, and appeared to be fitted with a receiving aerial. The package was disrupted by EOD action, but no explosives were present.


NETHERLANDS

On Tuesday (29/12), it was reported that a body scanner at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS) would not necessarily have detected the explosives which Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had sewn into his underwear. The report also claimed that Al Qaeda has its own security scanners and has been practicing ways of concealing explosives, and that it’s operatives have carried out test runs at smuggling explosives through European airports. In addition, the operators of AMS have recruited 50 extra security staff to carry out the enhanced checks on pax travelling to the United States. All passengers to the US are now being body searched at the gate. An AMS spokesman stated that while the chance of discovering any concealed explosives is still not 100%, it is much higher than it was.


On Sunday (03/01), in what they claim is an major expose of security practice at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), a reporter with a British Sunday newspaper claimed he was able to pass through security at AMS and board a flight to London in possession of an unchecked syringe containing a small quantity of ‘insulin’. The paper’s front page claimed that the incident revealed a major lapse in security at the airport where NW 253 originated on Christmas Day. Of course, he could have legitimately carried a much larger 100ml of the liquid in his hand baggage, but that would not have been such a big story.


SOMALIA

On Wednesday (30/12), it was reported that on November 13th, a Somali national was arrested by African Union peacekeepers at Mogadishu Airport (MGQ) after he attempted to board a Daallo Airlines flight to Hargeisa (HGA), Djibouti (JIB) and Dubai (DXB), in possession of a suspected IED. The device is said to have comprised chemicals, liquid and a syringe. A security official said that the suspect had a 1kg package of unknown powder, which smelt like ammonia, a shampoo bottle containing a black acid-like substance, a clear plastic bag containing a light green chalky substance and a syringe containing a green liquid. The man later appeared in court, but unconfirmed reports suggest that the charges were dropped, and he was released. One outlet reported that the chemicals were intended for use in a ‘Nigerian style black dollar washing scam’.


UNITED KINGDOM

On Sunday (03/01), Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the introduction of millimetric wave screening at the nations main airports. The move is part of the Government’s response to the NW253 incident on Christmas Day. Mr Brown said that pax would see the gradual introduction of full body scanners and explosive trace detection on cabin baggage. Millimeter wave equipment is still being trialled at Manchester airport (MAN). Many industry experts claim that the technology would not have detected the PETN powder carried by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, which according to the photographs of the device, unlawfully leaked by ABC News, appear to have been anatomically shaped for concealment.


UNITED STATES

On Monday (28/12), a homeless man was arrested after he attempted to steal a single-engined Piper Super Cub from Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) in Maryland. The man, who was attempting to flee the town, stole the aircraft from a hangar, but subsequently lost control of it and crashed it on a grassy area by the runway.


On Tuesday (29/12), it was reported that TSA issued a security directive for additional measures to be implemented for last point of departure international flights to the United States. Passengers on international flights to the United States can expect to see additional security measures at their departure airports, such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During the flight, pax may be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight. Originally, the TSA imposed a unilateral ban on onboard communications on all flights entering the U.S. from foreign countries. Pax were required to remain in their seats and stow all gear for the last 60 minutes of all international flights into the US, but this was later relaxed to allow the restrictions to be imposed at the discretion of flight crews. Click here for a link to the published SD.


On Tuesday (29/12), it was reported that the TSA has served subpoenas on a number of bloggers who published details of the new security directive above. The bloggers have been directed to reveal the names of the sources who leaked the information to them. One blogger was forced to hand over his laptop, and claims that the TSA threatened that his contract to write a blog for KLM would be interfered with by the authorities if he did not reveal the name of his source.


On Friday (01/01), part of Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA) were evacuated after a man locked himself in a bathroom and claimed to be armed. Police negotiators managed to talk the man out after almost two and a half hours. No weapon was found, but the man was arrested.


On Friday (01/01), a Northwest Airlines A320 operating between Detroit (DTW) and Orlando (MCO), was diverted to Nashville (BNA) after a suspicious package was discovered. The aircraft was directed to a remote stand at BNA, where it was evacuated and searched by Police using explosives detection dogs. Nothing unusual was found. The suspicious package was found to contain a Christmas ornament.


On Friday (01/01), a man, armed with a knife, was arrested at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) after he climbed over the perimeter fence, and entered the maneuvering area. The intoxicated man had attempted to get through a manned vehicle access point, before running off and scaling the fence. He was stopped and arrested. A Police spokesman said that they believe the man was looking for a short cut home.


TSA Weekly Stats (December 14th - 21st, 2009)

13 pax arrested due to suspicious behaviour or fraudulent travel documents

13 firearms found at checkpoints

2 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints

26 incidents that involved a checkpoint closure, evacuation or sterile area breach


AND FINALLY!

A man walked into a diner in Michigan with a 5ins knife sticking in his chest and ordered a coffee. The 52-year-old told staff that he was waiting for an ambulance. Police say that the man called 911 saying he had been stabbed - and then walked a mile to the restaurant. He told officers he was stabbed after he refused to hand over money to a mugger. The man was treated and police said he is expected to be fine. They are still looking for the robber.