my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

[faye]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

Well written Novel

Umm...wow. was there a question for me in there somewhere, cause if there was I might have missed it...lol on the serious side thanks for the mountain of info. as a newbie its greatly appreciated.

but you do make me think that maybe they were just looking for technical difficulties before they happened...with all the recent bus wrecks and all...that or unwanted attachments since there were suspicious middle easterns on the bus, and no Im not being racist, I actually caught two of them doing something really suspicious. Im thinking it was just intravenous drugs, but I couldnt very well see, so they could have been tinkering with anything in that bathroom for the long period of time that they were in there...

1. I don't think Google has a search that can search "every bus company this Faye person has been on." Hence. why I was asking a specific company. If that was mentioned in this thread, earlier, I apologize for not apparently reading it well enough.

2. I was just wondering if Faye knew what she was getting into when she got on that bus.

oh yay! Im a person now. Thats a lot better than what Im used to getting called by random defcon-ers. ; )

And to answer your second statement...I really didnt have security standards in mind when I got on the bus. I know Im not dangerous or plan on doing something bad, so what does it matter to me if they want to search the bus? The regs are there for a reason, and its probably to keep us safe...

I saw this because on the trip I saw: a few drug dealer types, middle easterns tinkering with something in a bathroom, and a guy carrying a huge knife in is backpack right just after the news of someone getting killed on a bus, oh and I looked up the guys sitting next to me, and he had convictions for bodily injury/assault -

Considering that I saw all this, my concluesion is: the more security, the better. Air standards are probably more meddlesome anyway...

what bus company do you use? First off, so i never use it, and secondly...was curious if their policies for search are public on a website, etc.

The only one I know of....

and if you have problems with them searching for drugs or other dangerous materials I would avoid flying too...I hear their anti-hair care product these days...lmao

All transportation providers are required by Federal regulations to post their policies regarding search of travelers. This policy has been in place for several years. Now. whether it is posted big enough in ports of exit/entry or posted obviously enough on their websites? I have not a clue. I trust others with more wisdom to school us... Or, Mr. Google is your friend.

For the record, I didnt see it posted anywhere during my travels, however I wasnt exactly looking for it either. I would assume you're correct on that the regulations are posted on their website or, could also be found on some .gov site somewhere....Like I said, Im harmless, so I wasnt really concerned with it.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

what does it matter to me if they want to search the bus? The regs are there for a reason, and its probably to keep us safe

blasphemhy! blasphemy and high heresy, i say!

heh... many folk here take issue with that line of thinking. i do count myself among them, i must say. not criticizing you... just expressing a clarification of what i feel are healthy or unhealthy outlooks for society. i'm much happier when i believe my fellow citizens are being critical and skeptical of authority. note that i'm not trying to make an anarcho-boy "smash the state" type of argument... just encouraging people to demand explanations of rules when they're offered.

if someone can't explain to you why a given rule/policy/law is important and valid in less than five minutes, they don't know what they're talking about and are just interfering with your life. (this rule of thumb breaks down with huge global issues... the complexities of a multinational ballistic treaty or import/export tarrifs is beyond the scope of a basic elevator pitch, heh)

[faye]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

blasphemhy! blasphemy and high heresy, i say!

heh... many folk here take issue with that line of thinking. i do count myself among them, i must say. not criticizing you... just expressing a clarification of what i feel are healthy or unhealthy outlooks for society. i'm much happier when i believe my fellow citizens are being critical and skeptical of authority.

Oh dont get me wrong. Im critical of lots of things, Im just not going to harass anyone with a badge and gun when I would go unnoticed otherwise. It goes back to the whole, dont make trouble and you wont get none thing....Still when I do rebel, I find that honey works better than vinegar. ; )

[YenTheFirst]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

Still when I do rebel, I find that honey works better than vinegar. ; )

Which is funny, because for people who have tested the phrase, many find the vinegar works better for catching flies. (A quick googling reveals this, among other things)

[faye]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

Which is funny, because for people who have tested the phrase, many find the vinegar works better for catching flies. (A quick googling reveals this, among other things)

very cute indeed.


btw...I was actually locked IN an apartment the other day with no other way out...damn double sided door locks. I have got to learn to pick new locks faster...if the place was on fire I would be toast.

[DJ Jackalope]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

oh yay! Im a person now. Thats a lot better than what Im used to getting called by random defcon-ers. ; )

And to answer your second statement...I really didnt have security standards in mind when I got on the bus.

These two statements go hand in hand. Being a person means you have rights. Know your rights.

[DJ Jackalope]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

...if the place was on fire I would be toast.

Heh, don't forget most apartments have windows...regardless of what story they are on.

[beakmyn]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

In my traveling I found that TSA policies are at the discretion of the TSA employee on duty. My backpack has a myriad of cables, connectors, electronics, keys, tools, and a couple altoid tins. So, far they have never done a full bag search but many times the bag has been run through the scanner multiple times (flip it over, run it again) to see what's in there. I've never been questioned about the screwdrivers or lockpicks or batteries or anything else. They seem to only focus on the 5.5" pair of pliers that is in the front pocket. The scenario now goes like this:

TSA: Is this your bag?
ME: Yes it is. There is a 5.5" pair of pliers in the front pocket of the bag on the right hand side.
TSA: Oh, you've been through this before
ME: Yes, everytime I leave home you check them. Why?
TSA: They look like something else.
ME: What do you mean, something else?
TSA: I can't tell you that.

At that point TSA may or may not swab the pliers, swab the bag, or find a ruler and measure the pliers. If they do measure them it can then get interesting.

I've had TSA hold me until they could find someone who knew what size of pliers were allowed or if plieres were allowed. To which I "helpfully" inform them. The TSA website lists pliers of less then 7" in length as permitted items for both carry on and checked luggage. Then I ask them if they want to check the screwdrivers, which they always decline.

Detroit (domestic and international), Chicago, Cincinnati, Billings they could care less what's in my bag, just get the people through the line.

[streaker69]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

In my traveling I found that TSA policies are at the discretion of the TSA employee on duty. My backpack has a myriad of cables, connectors, electronics, keys, tools, and a couple altoid tins. So, far they have never done a full bag search but many times the bag has been run through the scanner multiple times (flip it over, run it again) to see what's in there. I've never been questioned about the screwdrivers or lockpicks or batteries or anything else. They seem to only focus on the 5.5" pair of pliers that is in the front pocket. The scenario now goes like this:

TSA: Is this your bag?
ME: Yes it is. There is a 5.5" pair of pliers in the front pocket of the bag on the right hand side.
TSA: Oh, you've been through this before
ME: Yes, everytime I leave home you check them. Why?
TSA: They look like something else.
ME: What do you mean, something else?
TSA: I can't tell you that.

At that point TSA may or may not swab the pliers, swab the bag, or find a ruler and measure the pliers. If they do measure them it can then get interesting.

I've had TSA hold me until they could find someone who knew what size of pliers were allowed or if plieres were allowed. To which I "helpfully" inform them. The TSA website lists pliers of less then 7" in length as permitted items for both carry on and checked luggage. Then I ask them if they want to check the screwdrivers, which they always decline.

Detroit (domestic and international), Chicago, Cincinnati, Billings they could care less what's in my bag, just get the people through the line.

Maybe with 7" or larger pliers you're able to actually disassemble the entire plane, but with anything smaller all you can do is loosen up some nuts on the seat in front of you.

[beakmyn]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

Maybe with 7" or larger pliers you're able to actually disassemble the entire plane, but with anything smaller all you can do is loosen up some nuts on the seat in front of you.

Actually, I fixed the tray. Seriously.

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

TSA: Is this your bag?
ME: Yes it is. There is a 5.5" pair of pliers in the front pocket of the bag on the right hand side.
TSA: Oh, you've been through this before
ME: Yes, everytime I leave home you check them. Why?
TSA: They look like something else.
ME: What do you mean, something else?
TSA: I can't tell you that.

many styles of x-ray scanners do basic pattern matching based on the images they see and raise flags accordingly. i'd be willing to bet that the automated logic of the x-ray machines reads them as possibly being blasting cap crimpers.

[beakmyn]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

You tell me

Off Topic. I may some S&G locks. One of my coworkers used to work for them and has a box full of locks. I'll take pictures and I'm trying to see if he's willing to part with them. If he does I'll bring them to Shmoocon.

[beakmyn]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

So I figured I'd add my official 0.02 cents on traveling with a set of lockpicks. Mine are in the leather zippered case just tossed into my back pack. I had no issue with the picks.

I did have to have the bag scanned 3 times because they were trying to find a quantity of liquid that was in my bag. Hmm, I know there's about 0.4 ounces of Purel in a little tiny bottle but that wasn't it, I played dumb but they didn't open the right zipper to find it. 3 years that's been in my bag and still haven't questioned it. They pulled out the power supply for the laptop. Ran it through. Nope

They figured it was something in the bottom of the bag. They pull out my soft case CD holder (has 10 cds in it) they run it again. Bingo!

Apparently CDs when scanned on their edge in a CD case look like a large quantity of liquid. Who would have known?

The pliers went through without issue this time but I did get a pat down, probably since I was the 25th person in line and they wanted to get their quota.

This was ROC airport @ 5:00 am.

[faye]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

Was the bag your lockpicks were in carry on or checked?

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: my response to :I-hacked article on hiding lockpicks from TSA...

Was the bag your lockpicks were in carry on or checked?

it sounds like it was a carry-on simply because he talks about the liquid scan process, and being present for the scan happening in multiple passes.

just to remind everyone... lockpicks are totally legal items per se, they are not on the TSA's "prohibited" list... but you can sometimes run into asshats who do not like that they are "pokey bits of metal" even though they're far too small and not sharp enough to cause any real harm.

i travel very often with lockpicks. i've had them inspected, inquired about, and i do not lie. i say what they are and that i'm going to a security assessment or conference, etc.

if you have other things in your bag (like drugs or lots of cash) then you simply don't want to call any extra attention to yourself and it's best to not pack the picks in carry-on... but otherwise, you should be golden.