It’s just my shampoo!
Why fluids are prohibited on commercial aircraft.
As a part of our changing global economy, now we have the ability to travel with very little effort. More than ever before people can move to any point of our planet for both business and pleasure. With this freedom comes great responsibility for the companies that move us to the systems and security that that protect the traveling public and the individuals in and around our transit systems. On August 10th 2005 one such incident was thwarted as reported by the London Telegraph;
“The targets were as many as nine flights leaving British airports destined for America. US officials said the plan bore some of the hallmarks of an al-Qa’eda plot. Anti-terror police arrested 24 people in London, the Thames Valley and Birmingham last night and were still searching several addresses tonight. A major plot to “commit mass murder on an unimaginable scale” by destroying passenger jets in mid-air has been foiled, police said today”
In my position I have the opportunity to travel and I always make a point to speak to my fellow travelers. As I was speaking to one woman the other day, she was explaining to me an incident that had taken place on the security checkpoint. As she proceeded through the security screening her property was selected for additional screening. During the search the TSA Officer removed several liquid items that she had packed in her carry-on bag. She stated that the officer explained to her, in a voice as if he had said the speech too many times before, “that only liquids 3.4 ounces, per container and contained in a clear, re-sealable plastic bag are permitted through the checkpoint, and that her shampoo, in a 25 ounce, would be prohibited”. The officer explained several options to the woman for keeping her shampoo, all of which required her to leave the security checkpoint. She pleaded with the officer explaining that it was only her shampoo and she did not understand why it was not allowed.
I sympathized with her and explained that a small group of terrorists located in the United Kingdom and around London had plotted to smuggle several homemade binary liquid explosives and bomb making components on-board several commercial aircraft. After the planes were airborne the plan was to assemble the explosives material and an electronic switch to create an improvised explosive device. This device would then be detonated as the planes were flying over major metropolitan areas. This would have the effect of not only the loss of the souls on board the aircraft, but of the unsuspecting innocent civilians on the ground as well.
The small group of terrorists attempted to make a home brew of triacetone triperoxide more commonly know as TATP. TATP can be manufactured with common chemicals readily available around most homes. The two substances are condensed into two separate liquid parts, triacetone and triperoxide. It may then be safely packaged into containers to appear as any normal fluids that may be placed in a passenger’s personal belongings and then carried onto any commercial aircraft. Once onboard the aircraft the two parts would need to be combined correctly to make a semi-ridged gelatin like substance which then may be detonated. It may seem as if would be easier to simply carry the two substances that had been previously mixed together, however as a binary the two parts are stable. But once mixed together, even improperly TATP is very unstable and susceptible to shock, meaning that if the terrorists were carrying the mixture and had dropped the container or simply fallen this may have trigged a premature detonation.
With the security forces in place and continuing investigations these plots will be uncovered before plans can be implemented. However at this time additional security measures have been implemented. The Transportation Security Administration gave the flying public some relief with their announcement on 16 August 2006 stating, “Passengers can greatly affect their experience at the airport by preparing in advance. This includes: Packing liquids, gels and aerosols in checked baggage whenever possible, using 3-1-1 for carry-ons, arriving early and ensuring they are not traveling with prohibited items,
For individuals who must carry liquids, gels and aerosols through the security checkpoint, it’s as easy as 3-1-1.
o All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a 3 ounce or smaller container.
o These containers must be placed in a 1 quart, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
o 1 bag per passenger placed in a plastic bin for screening.”
Although some passengers continue to argue about the policy allowing only small amounts of liquids, the rest of them appear to be surprised by the rule.
It is just a fact of the world in which we now live that organized groups will do their best to disrupt our way of life. But we have layered security forces in place to detect them and to protect us from these threats. By the limiting quantities of liquids the possibility of liquid or other explosives being smuggled on-board can be dramatically reduced. With the potential threat of a possible terrorist attack still close at hand all passengers will be closely scrutinized along with their property transported on commercial aircraft.
