Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Dept. of Wanderings Leave gun, chain saw at home when flying. So much for holiday travel. Nov. 23, 2004  |  WASHINGTON -- Is it possible the word still hasn't gotten around? Leave your handguns and knives at home when you go to the airport. The chain saw, land mines and gunpowder, too. More than three years after the Sept. 11 attacks, air travelers still are trying to carry thousands of potentially deadly items on planes every month. The Transportation Security Administration, which took over security screening at 450 airports in February 2002, said Tuesday it had confiscated 15.6 million prohibited items, including 2,150 guns, 75,241 boxcutters and 4.7 million knives through the end of October. A 79-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida after screeners found a single-shot Colt Derringer and seven bullets in her tote bag. She said she forgot it was in the bag, which she tried to carry on the plane, according to the Broward County sheriff's office. Billie Vincent, former security chief for the Federal Aviation Administration, blames stupidity and forgetfulness in most cases. Why am I not surprised? Anyone else remember the election? 2:16:01 PM     leave/read comments []