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

[faye]

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

Maybe so, but if keys can work as a defense, I dont see why lockpicks wouldnt work as well, right? Im sure you could target more than just the eyes with pretty much whatever was in hand, lock picks included....And yeah I could imagine trying to hit someone with a fist full of the crap load of keys I have on my key chain. ouch!

(oops old thread and I cant find the delete post button...)

[streaker69]

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

Now, I understand why they grew alarmed when they saw a large orange mass with a bunch or wires around it.

A few years ago, I ran across a PDF somewhere that had Xray silhouettes of lots of common objects, and the kinds of things the screeners are looking for.

[barry99705]

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

Update:

So, going through GSO they stopped me again for my bag. Having the issue at ROC I asked them "does it look like there's liquid?"

TSA: Yeah
ME: At the bottom of the bag?
TSA: Yes, what is it?
ME: What does it look like?
TSA: It's just an large orange mass on our screen
ME: It's my CD, the x-ray sees them standing on their edge.
TSA: Oh, (runs it through again). Yep, there's the holes, Before we didn't see the holes so we just saw this large orange mass that could be liquid. Have a nice day.

There you have it. So, if you carry one of those CD holders make sure they lie flat to the x-ray so they can see the holes.

Now, I understand why they grew alarmed when they saw a large orange mass with a bunch or wires around it.

Hmm, I wonder what a 100 disk spindle would look like?

[beakmyn]

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

Update:

So, going through GSO they stopped me again for my bag. Having the issue at ROC I asked them "does it look like there's liquid?"

TSA: Yeah
ME: At the bottom of the bag?
TSA: Yes, what is it?
ME: What does it look like?
TSA: It's just an large orange mass on our screen
ME: It's my CD, the x-ray sees them standing on their edge.
TSA: Oh, (runs it through again). Yep, there's the holes, Before we didn't see the holes so we just saw this large orange mass that could be liquid. Have a nice day.

There you have it. So, if you carry one of those CD holders make sure they lie flat to the x-ray so they can see the holes.

Now, I understand why they grew alarmed when they saw a large orange mass with a bunch or wires around it.

[barry99705]

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

Take you keys put them in your hands so that the metal portion sticks out from in between your fingers. Make a fist. Those keys across the face/head/neck will tear the flesh and hurt like hell. A puncture wound usually doesn't hurt, at first but if you tear the skin it's gonna hurt like hell. The best part is this works well as a reflex reaction, one you don't have to think about aiming and you won't loose you method of defense since it's in your fist.

Take a look at the pictures here:
http://www.quagtum.com/Sports_Fundra...troduction.htm

Yea, they're trying to sell something. The average jane user will royally fuck up her hands doing this with a normal set of keys.

[beakmyn]

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

Take you keys put them in your hands so that the metal portion sticks out from in between your fingers. Make a fist. Those keys across the face/head/neck will tear the flesh and hurt like hell. A puncture wound usually doesn't hurt, at first but if you tear the skin it's gonna hurt like hell. The best part is this works well as a reflex reaction, one you don't have to think about aiming and you won't loose you method of defense since it's in your fist.

Take a look at the pictures here:
http://www.quagtum.com/Sports_Fundra...troduction.htm

[barry99705]

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

I'd have to disagree. I can so see someone grabbing a lockpick if they were attacked. Stabbing someone in the eye out of desperation with something thin and pointy would most likely allow for a quick escape. (and no Im not talking about the tiny hair pin sized silver set. Im referencing the longer more sturdy black set.) I mean I've heard of girls getting away from would be rapists by stabbing them with a pen knife, so Im sure someone could use a pick to the same effect.

The problem with the eyes is they are a small target. Don't always count on being able to get to them.

[faye]

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

...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'd have to disagree. I can so see someone grabbing a lockpick if they were attacked. Stabbing someone in the eye out of desperation with something thin and pointy would most likely allow for a quick escape. (and no Im not talking about the tiny hair pin sized silver set. Im referencing the longer more sturdy black set.) I mean I've heard of girls getting away from would be rapists by stabbing them with a pen knife, so Im sure someone could use a pick to the same effect.

[barry99705]

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

Yes, it was my carry on. Having previously posted about the pliers I find it's always 'fun' to see what they're going to ask about next.

I carry a lot of tech and cables and tools in my backpack. I've got everything I need for that call on Friday at 5:00pm to get on a plane and help out company xyz.

With all my stuff my bag weighs 34+ lbs, Who needs exercise when you lug this beast around?

But it's always those damn pliers :)

And as Deviant has said many times lockpicks themselves are legal carry on and being honest always gets you much farther then lying.
However I don't think I'll carry them when I go to China, just in case.

Did I ever show you my tool backpack?

http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Leather.../dp/B0000DYVCY

[beakmyn]

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

Yes, it was my carry on. Having previously posted about the pliers I find it's always 'fun' to see what they're going to ask about next.

I carry a lot of tech and cables and tools in my backpack. I've got everything I need for that call on Friday at 5:00pm to get on a plane and help out company xyz.

With all my stuff my bag weighs 34+ lbs, Who needs exercise when you lug this beast around?

But it's always those damn pliers :)

And as Deviant has said many times lockpicks themselves are legal carry on and being honest always gets you much farther then lying.
However I don't think I'll carry them when I go to China, just in case.

[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.

[faye]

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

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

[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.

[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.

[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.