Schneier on Security

Clive Robinson • April 11, 2012 10:34 AM

Hmm,

Why do I smell not a rat, but a plasticien dog and bloke from "hup Narff" with a liking for cheese and mechanical trousers, all made by Ardman ;-)

Clive Robinson • April 11, 2012 12:57 PM

@ David Allen Green,

You say from your post that it was the bag that was causing them "suspicion" and not it's contents.

I'm curious... On the assumption (probably incorrect) that they did have genuine concerns (as opposed to picking on you as a "training excercise" because you were the end of the line).

It begs the question 'what was it about your bag?'

Now I know that new bags (from their packing) and certain types of "tanned" leather products with certain types of finnish will test positive for nitrates.

I'm also aware that certain "faux leather" materials made of plastic or cloth will show an odd density etc when scanned.

And I've half joked on this blog that the welted seams (traditionaly made by sewing in a cord under the fabric) would be a place you could hide "Det Cord".

So I'm just wondering what boxes it could have ticked for them...

Clive Robinson • April 11, 2012 11:50 PM

@ NobbodySpecial,

But - the plane was escorted by 2 US fighters! I'm sorry but exactly what was the point in that?

Several...

First and importantly is "shepherding", that is, if it is a bomb the plane needs to be taken via a minimum ground effect route. The pilots in their understandable desire to get the plane down as quickly as possible or for a number of other reasons might not stick to the chosen route.

Secondly if it is a bomb and it does explode, then they can report not just that it has gone off, they will be able to be a witness as to where the bomb exploded in the plane and also the external effects.

Thirdly if the plane does go down due to the bomb exploding they will be able to report as to where the wreckage has landed and the effects it is having so that first responders etc can be notified as to location and resources required.

Fourthly a bomb might not be "just on board" it might be there under the control of a human who wants to use it as leverage to get through the cockpit door. Whilst we accept that a person with a weapon of small size will almost certainly get restrained by other passengers who calculate the chances of survival as good, nobody knows about "certain death" weapons. Thus the plane might come under the control of an undesirable person.

And there are a number of other reasons that a few moments thought will give you.