PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)

[Motown_Johnny]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PETN

From reading the Wikipedia page on this stuff it seems to be fairly common. It seems reasonable to assume that this will continue to be used in similar attacks as the Shoe bomber and the Crotch bomber failed to execute properly. It also seems reasonable that we will not be able to detect this substance using conventional methods.



The only suggestion I have to try and control the use of this is to use bomb sniffing dogs at airports along with the metal detectors. This seems better than not allowing any liquids on the plane. If you want to take something on the plane you would need to open it up and set it on a table where the dog can walk past it and get a whiff.


Is there some reason TSA is willing to spend money on huge X-ray machines where you still need to depend on the operator being alert enough to see the liquid concealed on someone but they are not willing to spend money to acquire and train a few thousand bomb sniffing dogs to help keep airline passengers safe?

[Warpy]

1. There were a lot of red flags with this guy

One way ticket
No luggage
No passport

Face it, these would have prevented him from getting on a plane within the US. No elaborate sniffing equipment or trained dogs would be needed, just alert personnel who realized something was hinky.

Nigeria is going to have to tighten up their screening procedure. There is no way they should have led this guy onto an airplane.

Yes, sometimes people will be bribed, especially in the developing world, and some of these guys will slip through. We can only slow them down, not stop them.

But this guy really should have been caught there.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. yes other airports around the world are not equpped

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Schipol is a VERY advanced airport

I hate so sound so cavalier, but shit happens.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. seems fishy