LAX airport heist: "Everything of value ... stolen in seconds"

[NightHawkeye]

I suppose one could call it a highly efficient government operation. Ring of LAX baggage handlers stole heaps of valuables, police say | Los Angeles Times

... a group of baggage handlers pulled off one of the largest property heists in airport history.

For months, detectives said, workers rifled through bags looking for items to steal.
...
"Basically everything of value — be it electronics, jewelry and items — that could be stolen in seconds would be removed from bags," LAX Police Chief Pat Gannon said. "They'd just open up the suitcases and rifle through them and pocket valuables."

A joint task force of LAX and Los Angeles Police Department detectives swarmed the airport and the homes of some suspects late Wednesday night, detaining 14 people as they collected evidence. Six people were arrested, and Gannon said as many as 25 were thought to be involved in the scheme.
​

Implications in regards to TSA and airport security would appear to be profound ... but will anyone ask the appropriate questions?

 

[JoyJuice]

I suppose one could call it a highly efficient government operation. Ring of LAX baggage handlers stole heaps of valuables, police say | Los Angeles Times

... a group of baggage handlers pulled off one of the largest property heists in airport history.

For months, detectives said, workers rifled through bags looking for items to steal.
...
"Basically everything of value — be it electronics, jewelry and items — that could be stolen in seconds would be removed from bags," LAX Police Chief Pat Gannon said. "They'd just open up the suitcases and rifle through them and pocket valuables."

A joint task force of LAX and Los Angeles Police Department detectives swarmed the airport and the homes of some suspects late Wednesday night, detaining 14 people as they collected evidence. Six people were arrested, and Gannon said as many as 25 were thought to be involved in the scheme.
​

Implications in regards to TSA and airport security would appear to be profound ... but will anyone ask the appropriate questions?

That is only if Baggage handlers go through TSA security, and seeing they don't, just another Nighthawk misunderstood thread.

...he makes lots of them. :o

 

[NightHawkeye]

That is only if Baggage handlers go through TSA security, and seeing they don't, just another Nighthawk misunderstood thread.

...he makes lots of them. :o

Which part of what I posted have you misinterpreted, JJ?

​

 

[JoyJuice]

Which part of what I posted have you misinterpreted, JJ?

I emboldened it the first time. Baggage handlers have nothing to do with TSA. There are no "profound" "implications"

 

[NightHawkeye]

I emboldened it the first time. Baggage handlers have nothing to do with TSA. There are no "profound" "implications"

Given that baggage handlers have access to what goes into the airplanes, you might want to reconsider the silliness of your assertions.

 

[USincognito]

Implications in regards to TSA and airport security would appear to be profound ... but will anyone ask the appropriate questions?

My questions are:
What does this have to do with American Politics?
What do baggage handlers have to do with the TSA?

 

[NightHawkeye]

My questions are:
What does this have to do with American Politics?
What do baggage handlers have to do with the TSA?

Kinda struck me that an organized criminal ring having unfettered access to the belly of commercial airliners might be a matter of some concern.

Seemed relevant to both the TSA and Patriot Act. Whaddaya think?

 

[JoyJuice]

Given that baggage handlers have access to what goes into the airplanes, you might want to reconsider the silliness of your assertions.

TSA is in charge of screening passengers, meaning all riding passangers including pilots, not ground handlers. Maybe your issue is with the Department of Homeland Security and the hiring Airlines themselves.

 

[NightHawkeye]

TSA is in charge of screening passengers, meaning all riding passangers including pilots, not ground handlers. Maybe your issue is with the Department of Homeland Security and the hiring Airlines themselves.

ROTFL ... Department of Homeland Security

​

... definitely.

 

[EdwinWillers]

ROTFL ... Department of Homeland Security

​

... definitely.

 

[USincognito]

Kinda struck me that an organized criminal ring having unfettered access to the belly of commercial airliners might be a matter of some concern.

Seemed relevant to both the TSA and Patriot Act. Whaddaya think?

Sounds to me like something that would be News or Current Events.

Still not seeing the connection to politics.

You know Christian Forums is plural, right?

 

[NightHawkeye]

Sounds to me like something that would be News or Current Events.

Still not seeing the connection to politics.

You know Christian Forums is plural, right?

The TSA and airport security have been political for years. At nearly the same time last week ...

TSA Wants Police at Checkpoints After LAX Shooting | ABC News

The Transportation Security Administration recommended Wednesday that armed law enforcement officers be posted at airport security checkpoints and ticket counters during peak hours after a review of last year's fatal shooting at Los Angeles International Airport.

The 25-page report to Congress obtained by The Associated Press makes 14 recommendations that do not carry a price tag and are somewhat dependent on local authorities who provide airport security.
​

And the week before, there was this out of San Diego ...

Baggage handlers indicted in drug probe: Accused in a "brazen scheme" to smuggle cocaine and methamphetamine on commercial planes

Airport spokeswoman Diana Lucero said the Airport Authority was aware of the investigation and cooperated with the probe. She referred all questions about security screening procedures to TSA, including whether the investigation will prompt a review of security measures for baggage handlers or any changes in procedures.

Calls and emails to the TSA were not immediately answered.

Lucero said baggage handlers are subject to 10-year background checks, including an FBI fingerprint check, a security-threat assessment by the TSA and random reference investigations by the Airport Authority.
​

Hopefully, the political and security connections are just a little clearer now.

Short answer: The TSA is not doing its job. The TSA is tasked with ensuring that dangerous people are not allowed near commercial aircraft.

 

[kermit]

ROTFL ... Department of Homeland Security

​

... definitely.

Do you know the meaning of all thumbs are fingers but not all fingers are thumbs?

 

[NightHawkeye]

Do you know the meaning of all thumbs are fingers but not all fingers are thumbs?

LOL ... if only you had a valid criticism.

 

[kermit]

LOL ... if only you had a valid criticism.

The point is that while TSA is part of DHS they are not the part that is responsible for baggage handlers. Your attempted tie to TSA remains dubious.

 

[Savior2006]

I'm just thinking about my second favorite level from Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OVYD6TaF-I

 

[NightHawkeye]

The point is that while TSA is part of DHS they are not the part that is responsible for baggage handlers. Your attempted tie to TSA remains dubious.

Consider the details in post #12.

 

[USincognito]

Short answer: The TSA is not doing its job. The TSA is tasked with ensuring that dangerous people are not allowed near commercial aircraft.

What does that ostensibly news or current event have to do with American Politics?

 

[DaisyDay]

Wait, is NightHawkeye calling for the TSA to be expanded to cover baggage handlers?

 

[NightHawkeye]

Wait, is NightHawkeye calling for the TSA to be expanded to cover baggage handlers?

LOL, that would seem like a stretch conclusion ... considering that neither the FBI nor the TSA, both of which are already tasked with evaluating the security risks of baggage handlers, have demonstrated much proficiency in that area.