Would a pilot carry a bomb?

Pilot allowed to fly despite positive test for explosive.
Author: Natalie O'Brien
Publication: The Australian
Date: 5 November 2008

A VIRGIN Blue pilot who tested positive for traces of explosives and then avoided security guards was allowed to continue unchecked and fly a passenger aircraft.

The security breach at Sydney's domestic airport in August was sparked when the pilot, who has not been identified, was selected for the random explosives testing but left the security screening area while guards were waiting for the results of the sample.

Instead of calling in the Australian Federal Police and grounding all the outbound Virgin Blue flights until the pilot was found, the guards covered up the security breach.

An investigation by The Australian into the incident has exposed a widespread problem with the testing of pilots that could be exploited by terrorists.

Security sources say pilots are often not selected for the explosives testing because of their aggressive attitude towards it.

It is understood that there have been several incidents in Australian airports in which pilots have refused the random explosives test, leading to reprimands from the airlines.

Aviation security experts warned of the risks involved in pilots refusing to undergo the tests.

Nick O'Brien, an associate professor in counter terrorism at Charles Sturt University, said: "If it became known that pilots were immune to screening it would be tempting to train as a pilot and get a job or target them and steal their passes."

The explosive trace scanners can give false-positive readings, which are triggered by high-nitrogen content fertilisers, some perfumes or shoe polish. Positive readings can also be given by people who have come into contact with fireworks or who have been to a fireworks display.

Last year, two Qantas pilots, one a captain, refused to remove their shoes for screening after setting off security alarms.

A spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure said yesterday it was aware of the incident in August at Sydney airport. He said the actions of the Virgin Blue pilot were unacceptable and a breach of the security procedures.

"Aviation security regulations require that airports and airlines ensure that all persons entering a sterile area of an airport (including air crew) be screened," the spokesman said. "Explosive trace detection sampling is one layer of the screening process. Undertaken on a random and continuous basis, it may result in flight crew being selected for sampling."

SNP Security, the company that employed the guards, said it had sacked three staff involved in the security breach and cover-up.

"A thorough SNP Security investigation took place following the incident, and upon completion of the investigation appropriate disciplinary action was taken," a company spokeswoman said.

A Virgin Blue spokeswoman said the company was investigating the allegations.

The revelations about the security breach come as it was revealed that British security services had discovered up to 100 potential terrorists posing as postgraduate students. It is believed the suspects tried to gain access to laboratories to obtain the materials and expertise needed to create chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.

I don't want to sound flippant here but really, would a pilot carry a bomb on to an aircraft, fly it, then explode the bomb?
Why not just crash the thing in the first place?
I fully understand where the authorities are coming from and I also experience first hand the frustration of pilots who, more than daily, are compelled to undergo these tests.
Their reasoning is simple. Why would I carry a bomb, I fly the thing. If I wanted to cause chaos, I'd just crash the thing. No-one would be able to stop me.

I must say, I understand their logic.

As for training as a pilot so they can get a bomb on to an aircraft, well hasn't that already happened. September 11 2001 I recall. Except they didn't carry a bomb, they just used the aircraft as one.
If you wanted to impersonate a pilot so you could get a bomb on board your still not going to get off the ground because you can't fly. In which case you'd set the bomb off on the ground which you could do easily before you go through any security screening point.

Maybe we could just screen everyone before they get in their car to drive to the airport.
Now there's a thought........