Airport Security and the Butcher Knife.
Yesterday an airport screener at Newark Airport was removed from her usual checkpoint for “remedial training,†when she failed to see a butcher knife in a passenger’s purse that passed through the x-ray machine. Only after having cleared security and taken a seat in the boarding area did Ms. Katrina Bell, a former Newark resident, traveling to her current home in North Carolina, notice that she had forgotten to remove the butcher knife from her purse.
When she alerted the security people (She was worried someone would see the knife and conclude that she was a terrorist), they questioned the security screener who indicated that she had not noticed the knife in the bag. Ms. Bell was asked to return the knife to the bag and pass it through the x-ray machine again. Apparently, the knife was easily seen on the screen.
Neither Ms. Bell nor her sister, Tikisha Bell Gowens, with whom she had intended to travel, was arrested. Ms. Bell continued on her trip (without the blade), but her sister remained behind because of the delay.
As I was reading the story, I could not help but wonder why the woman had a butcher knife in her purse in the first place? Only toward the end of the story were we told the stated reason for Ms. Bell’s possession of the knife.
It seems that Ms. Bell had been out on a blind date the night before and was told by her aunt to carry it “just in case.â€
She may not have been a terrorist, but clearly she is not one to be trifled with. It’s a good thing the blind date guy didn’t get grabby.
Jeezuz Effing Christ…………….
Comment by bitterman — February 13, 2005 @ 10:37 pm
… I think I used to date that chick…
Comment by Eric — February 14, 2005 @ 8:53 am
Bravo for the Aunt although I would have gone with a gun. I have a friend who in the past pointed out to more than one of his daughter’s suitors that he was a frustrated sniper.
Comment by josepj — February 14, 2005 @ 10:48 am
I’ve accomplished two of my goals for my 8 year old daughter so far (she can swim like a fish and skate like a wizard) and am well on the way to another (she’s doing well on the piano. When she’s 12 or 14 we’re both going to learn to shoot and I pity the poor bastard that tries to get over on her.
Comment by Sluggo — February 14, 2005 @ 6:39 pm
Like you’ve never accidentally forgotten to check all your pockets and holsters for weapons before boarding?
Come on, it’s not like we live in CANADA for crying out loud!
Comment by Dan — February 15, 2005 @ 12:03 am
Jimbo: I like the aunt.
JosepJ: Your daughter’s now at the age where I got my first range trip (8). My brother was not-quite-7 at the time. Go ahead and start her now.
Comment by Dex — February 15, 2005 @ 1:29 pm
Jeez, Louise. Somebody get Ms. Bell a decent folding knife for her purse! She could hurt herself with a butcher knife in there.
Comment by slimedog — February 15, 2005 @ 1:39 pm