NationStates Jolt Archive

The sticker told me.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/16/tenn.bike.bomb/index.html

(CNN) -- A bicycle with a sticker advertising a Florida punk-folk band forced the evacuation of a Memphis, Tennessee, airport terminal late Monday afternoon, authorities said.

A pilot alerted airport police when he saw a bike with a sticker that read "this bike is a pipe bomb" parked near the passenger ramps of Terminal C at Memphis International Airport, according to the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority.

"Terminal C ticketing and baggage claim at the airport were cleared out," said airport spokesman John Greaud. "A K-9 unit responded and found no explosive materials at the scene."

"This Bike is a Pipe Bomb" is the name of a band based in Pensacola, Florida, and this is not the first time in the band's 12-year history the name has caused a commotion.

Bikes sporting similar stickers at college campuses in Ohio and Philadelphia led to building closures, arrests and the bikes' destruction by bomb squads acting on the assumption the sticker was announcing a real threat.

The owner of the Memphis bike was taken into custody by airport police, Greaud said, but was later released because they had no grounds to hold him. Greaud said federal authorities were discussing possible federal charges, but a federal source said it was "a non-event."

And I lol'd...

Any other oddities in the recent news that can match this level of excellence?

I just don't think anyone who was serious would actually attach such a sticker to the bike, unless they wanted the resulting acts to have the nub of a fine joke.

Now we'll have to find out how these paranoidiots will react to a bike stickered "This bike is not a pipe bomb, no really, it isn't, trust me!". :D

Maybe the bike-owner can sue the "This Bike is a Pipe Bomb" band?

Now we'll have to find out how these paranoidiots will react to a bike stickered "This bike is not a pipe bomb, no really, it isn't, trust me!". :D

How about "This bike contains a small army of Jihadist Communists for Hitler". That should hit a whole bunch of panic buttons.

It really starts confusing when you put a sticker on a pipe bomb that reads "This pipe bomb is a bike"

How about not bringing anything labeled bomb, or claiming to have a bomb, or bringing anything vaguely bomb-shaped to an airport?

I know someone who was a security checker at JFK -- he was scanning a bag and saw something that looked like dynamite... called the airport cops and they opened the bag to find what looked like six sticks of dynamite with a timer attached... things turned uncomfortable for the guy till he produced a receipt and protested, "I just bought it at the gift shop! It's an alarm clock!"

They stormed into the gift shop and.... yeah. Not a happy day for the owner.

The passenger had his clock mailed to him and the store owner had his stock confiscated.

Magritte would be proud.

How about not bringing anything labeled bomb, or claiming to have a bomb, or bringing anything vaguely bomb-shaped to an airport?

Okay, okay, next time, I won't take my Bang & Olufsen sound equipment with me. You satisfied now?

Okay, okay, next time, I won't take my Bang & Olufsen sound equipment with me. You satisfied now?
Don't be obtuse. Or do, and yell "Hi, Jack!" in the terminal for the lulz.

Mine, that is.

they need to arrest the owner of the bike. for being dumb.

Well, on a serious note then: Isn't this a bit scary?
As an employer, you do have to give people a job that fits their capabilities. Giving people without any trace of common sense a job that relies on at least a fair understanding of this concept (plus a fair amount of self control) doesn't look like a good policy to me.
In this case, apparently not a single person employed in either the airport staff or the police showed even the most basic idea of sensible thoughts, they all seem to have had no mental capacity above instinctive reactions. That's certainly a bit unnerving...

Seems a bit paranoid. If he really was a terrorist, would he really put a sticker on his bike advertising it as such?

Seems a bit paranoid. If he really was a terrorist, would he really put a sticker on his bike advertising it as such?
If he has a sense of humor? Yes.

For heaven's sake, you DO know that from forever, not just since 2001, if you leave unattended baggage they can take it and blow it up to make sure it's not a bomb, right?

An unattended bike labeled "This is a pipe bomb" when of course you COULD stuff the frame full of everything imaginable, that is not checked out and subsequently explodes because it WAS a pipe bomb would ignite a shitstorm of "those incompetent bastards!" So, the default is to be overly cautious.

Anybody who does not understand this needs to go back to kindergarten.

I find this whole thing vaguely amusing

I find this whole thing vaguely amusing
As do I. I'm not sure which is funnier, the actions of the authorities or people here thinking that their doing their job is somehow stupid.

As do I. I'm not sure which is funnier, the actions of the authorities or people here thinking that their doing their job is somehow stupid.

My feelings exactly.

As do I. I'm not sure which is funnier, the actions of the authorities or people here thinking that their doing their job is somehow stupid.

Well, that's exactly why I avoid airports and the likes: not only the possibility of disasters being caused by "people doing their jobs", but also by the thought that there are people who actually think it is okay for these jobs being done in this way, and possibly even actively supporting these jobdoers...

Then don't fly. It's pretty simple to avoid these problems with an ounce of sense -- anyone bringing that bike to the airport and leaving it unattended was beyond stupid.

anyone bringing that bike to the airport and leaving it unattended was beyond stupid.

That I don't deny. But having a society in which a bike like that at an airport can spawn such a reaction is also beyond stupid.

That I don't deny. But having a society in which a bike like that at an airport can spawn such a reaction is also beyond stupid.I really can't see what an alternative would look like. Move the bomb squad in first, then evacuate the building?

If you have police checking something out to see whether or not it will explode, you're doing it to protect civilians. I don't see what the benefit is to going halfway and needlessly risking lives versus just evacuating the whole terminal and allowing the professionals to do their job.

Yes, the constant state of paranoia that we operate under is laughable at times, but all of the humor goes out the window the day that one of these stupid misunderstandings actually turns out to be a legitimate attempt to harm people.

I don't think anybody could have wriggled out of this situation without looking at least a little ridiculous.

I really can't see what an alternative would look like. Move the bomb squad in first, then evacuate the building?

In this case: don't call the bomb squad, don't evacuate, since there's nothing to check.

Yes, the constant state of paranoia that we operate under is laughable at times, but all of the humor goes out the window the day that one of these stupid misunderstandings actually turns out to be a legitimate attempt to harm people.

We're talking about a bike with a sticker on it here (and a stupid one at that, this bike can be a bomb, but it cannot be a pipe bomb, since it is a bike).

I have no doubt that an enterprising individual could build a sizable bomb into a bicycle frame. Yes, it wouldn't really fit the definition of a pipe bomb. Yes, it's stupid that we need to check these things out.

However, the fact remains that we do need to check these things out. As soon as one of these "mundane" objects explodes, kills somebody and shatters some windows, it goes from "those cops are so silly" to "absolute negligence and lax security!"

Because of some nutjob with a bomb in his shoe, we need to go barefoot through security checkpoints. A plot centered around liquid explosives ensured that I couldn't carry a damn water bottle onto a plane.

Honestly, I feel safer aboard an airplane than practically anywhere else (albeit considerably less comfortable), metal detectors or not. No matter how stupid we think these procedures are, though, they're still things that need to be done to satisfy everyone who jumps at shadows and bumps in the night.

There is no "these things" in this thread, we aren't talking about general principles, we are talking about a bike with a sticker.
If the bike would not have had the sticker, no one would have even thought about checking it out, because no one would see the need in checking out this particular bicycle.

There is no "these things" in this thread, we aren't talking about general principles, we are talking about a bike with a sticker.
If the bike would not have had the sticker, no one would have even thought about checking it out, because no one would see the need in checking out this particular bicycle.And yet the sticker was there, and the bike was left unattended. I'm not trying to say that we should be jumping at shadows and erring on the side of caution for every little thing, but rather that you cannot blame the police for their response in this case.

It's not as if slapping a "This Bike is a Pipe Bomb" sticker on a bike suddenly precludes it from being an explosive.

There is no "these things" in this thread, we aren't talking about general principles, we are talking about a bike with a sticker.
If the bike would not have had the sticker, no one would have even thought about checking it out, because no one would see the need in checking out this particular bicycle.
You forget the "unattended object" part of the equation.

Bike frames are, at least where I come from, hollow. Thus, conceivably, something could be placed inside the frame.

Pretty funny name for a band. Pity it'll lead to some bikes getting asploded.

Of course the bike is unattended. It's like saying that a car parked at the airport car park is left unattended.

Of course, blowing up all unattended cars parked at a airport would be a great stimulus for the car industry...

Of course the bike is unattended. It's like saying that a car parked at the airport car park is left unattended.I'm not absolutely certain, but I believe that the Passenger Ramps mentioned in the original article are part of the jet bridges.

A bike left unattended past the security checkpoint is probably a little bit less ridiculous to check out as a threat.

I see both sides of the issue. On one hand you have the "if it was just a bike, sans sticker, there would not have been an eyebrow raised, so why in the world does a bike, with the sticker "this bike is a pipe bomb" raise even MORE concern than the bike without? Who would label a bomb?"

On the other hand, there's the addage of simply don't say bomb, don't say explode, don't say gun, don't say anything that gives anyone even the slightest bit of concern, when you're in an airport.

In the end, you err on the side of caution.

Of course the bike is unattended. It's like saying that a car parked at the airport car park is left unattended.

Of course, blowing up all unattended cars parked at a airport would be a great stimulus for the car industry...
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story/Bomb-Scare-Memphis-Airport-Bicycle/Yfab8sZn-UKoakV1ZwkjPQ.cspx

Does this look like a bike rack to you? No? Does it look like something unattended on a passenger ramp? Yes?

i love this bike is a pipe bomb

Does this look like a bike rack to you? No? Does it look like something unattended on a passenger ramp? Yes?

It looks a lot like railings.... where an awful lot of people chain up bikes.
All in all, a little bit of a knee jerk reaction where a little bit of common sense would go a long way.

Pretty funny name for a band. Pity it'll lead to some bikes getting asploded.

Maybe that's their plan. :D

It really starts confusing when you put a sticker on a pipe bomb that reads "This pipe bomb is a bike"
I used to have a length of pipe with "This pipe bomb is a bike." written on the side of it. Whenever anyone asked about it I'd say, "Stick it between your legs and see what happens."
Oddly enough, no one ever took me up on my offer.

Maybe that's their plan. :D

I suspect so, yes.

The cyclist is not the brightest crayon in the box.

This is the equivalent of uttering hijacking threats, even though it occurred outside the terminal. The cyclist can not assume that tyhe security guards will simply ignore it. Nor can the cyclist assume that the security guards are savvy about the Pensacola indie music scene.

If (s)he had locked it up outside a university bar, I doubt anyone would have cared. Though parking an obviously expensive fixed gear for any amount of time near a university bar is questionable intelligence as well.

a question - would an unmarked bike be less worthy of being treated as a possible bomb if left in the same location?

This is why I fly myself and fly out of regional airports.

On the other hand, there's the addage of simply don't say bomb, don't say explode, don't say gun, don't say anything that gives anyone even the slightest bit of concern, when you're in an airport.
Generally we should give out gags upon entering airports, unlocked upon boarding.

a question - would an unmarked bike be less worthy of being treated as a possible bomb if left in the same location?

Both represent the same amount of danger (very little). But the one with the sticker on it will get more attention, obviously. Of course, it is just as obvious that and potential bomber would know this and not put a sticker on it advertising it as a bomb.

So, the cyclist should have known that he was going to have problems. If (s)he hadn't put the sticker on, I doubt anyone would have even noticed the bike.

Except avid cyclists. It's a nice bike.

Both represent the same amount of danger (very little). But the one with the sticker on it will get more attention, obviously. Of course, it is just as obvious that and potential bomber would know this and not put a sticker on it advertising it as a bomb.

ah, but the police would know that the bomber would know that putting the sticker on would draw attention to it as a bomb and would therefore not have done so, so they should investigate only those bikes without stickers.

though obviously the bomber would realize that the police would know that he wouldn't put the sticker on, so he clearly would put such a sticker on in order to thwart their efforts.

however, presumably the smarter cops would figure this out, and would therefore investigate the be-stickered bike. but a smart bomber would assume that there would be at least one smart cop involved, and therefore would not be trapped by such obviousness and would not put on the sticker.

ah, but the police would know that the bomber would know that putting the sticker on would draw attention to it as a bomb and would therefore not have done so, so they should investigate only those bikes without stickers.

But if they know that we know they know that we know that they know they'll..do something....maybe if I carry a two....wait a second, what?

ah, but the police would know that the bomber would know that putting the sticker on would draw attention to it as a bomb and would therefore not have done so, so they should investigate only those bikes without stickers.

though obviously the bomber would realize that the police would know that he wouldn't put the sticker on, so he clearly would put such a sticker on in order to thwart their efforts.

however, presumably the smarter cops would figure this out, and would therefore investigate the be-stickered bike. but a smart bomber would assume that there would be at least one smart cop involved, and therefore would not be trapped by such obviousness and would not put on the sticker.

I feel like I should now make a joke about a smart bomb....

I have no doubt that an enterprising individual could build a sizable bomb into a bicycle frame. Yes, it wouldn't really fit the definition of a pipe bomb. Yes, it's stupid that we need to check these things out.

However, the fact remains that we do need to check these things out. As soon as one of these "mundane" objects explodes, kills somebody and shatters some windows, it goes from "those cops are so silly" to "absolute negligence and lax security!"

Because of some nutjob with a bomb in his shoe, we need to go barefoot through security checkpoints. A plot centered around liquid explosives ensured that I couldn't carry a damn water bottle onto a plane.

Honestly, I feel safer aboard an airplane than practically anywhere else (albeit considerably less comfortable), metal detectors or not. No matter how stupid we think these procedures are, though, they're still things that need to be done to satisfy everyone who jumps at shadows and bumps in the night.

I don't, because I know how stupidly easy it is to get things past the security screening at airports.

Most of the security measures at airports are what is known as security theater. They do not actually make you safer, they are just there to make it seem like people are doing their jobs. This is why every single movie-plot threat gets a special extra rule made for it.

I don't, because I know how stupidly easy it is to get things past the security screening at airports.

Most of the security measures at airports are what is known as security theater. They do not actually make you safer, they are just there to make it seem like people are doing their jobs. This is why every single movie-plot threat gets a special extra rule made for it.Hell, it's not because of the security. Statistically though, I'm probably safer up in the air than behind the wheel of a car. I'm not going to worry about some whackjob blowing my jet in half, simply because it's so unlikely.

Don't sweat the little things you can do nothing about.

How about not bringing anything labeled bomb, or claiming to have a bomb, or bringing anything vaguely bomb-shaped to an airport?

I know someone who was a security checker at JFK -- he was scanning a bag and saw something that looked like dynamite... called the airport cops and they opened the bag to find what looked like six sticks of dynamite with a timer attached... things turned uncomfortable for the guy till he produced a receipt and protested, "I just bought it at the gift shop! It's an alarm clock!"

They stormed into the gift shop and.... yeah. Not a happy day for the owner.

The passenger had his clock mailed to him and the store owner had his stock confiscated.

why am I reminded of the time the flight crew was going through security and the PILOT said... "Why are you concerned with what I am carrying in the briefcase when I can simply fly the plane into the ground?"

yep, he was arrested for that...

Thanks JuNii; all of those comfortable feelings in the air just disappeared.

I'm going to go cry underneath a blanket now.

Thanks JuNii; all of those comfortable feelings in the air just disappeared.

I'm going to go cry underneath a blanket now.

... gee... where where you these last 8 years or so?

Pilots arriving to work drunk...

Pilots sleeping while flying...



you tend to over look such things when you only have two options to leave the state... boat or plane. :p

you tend to over look such things when you only have two options to leave the state... boat or plane. :p

why don't you just take the interstate?

you tend to over look such things when you only have two options to leave the state... boat or plane. :p
Alternatives!

http://www.terrawind.com/Pictures1%20100web.jpg
http://www.tuningfever.fr/pics-med-7215-196062-rinspeed-splash-channel-challe.jpg

...Okay, I'll go get my plane ticket. :(

why don't you just take the interstate?... take a look at my location. then google map it. then ask yourself, how would the interstate get me out of the State of Hawaii... :D

Alternatives!

http://www.terrawind.com/Pictures1%20100web.jpg
http://www.tuningfever.fr/pics-med-7215-196062-rinspeed-splash-channel-challe.jpg

...Okay, I'll go get my plane ticket. :(

LOL!!! don't think it wasn't tried.

I remember getting a letter when I lived on Maui. it stated I won a free trip to Las Vegas! (yay) and that I was going to be given the 5 star treatment. infact, a Limo was going to pick me up and take me to Honolulu International Airport.

for those of you who Don't know... Honolulu International Airport is on Oahu. two islands away from Maui.

for some reason... on the day I was supposed to be picked up... the limo never came. :(

I suspect it took a wrong turn off the Molokai channel... :D

i love this bike is a pipe bomb

For me they fall into the 'somewhat too iritatingly earnest' category. qv. Submission Hold.

If he has a sense of humor? Yes.

For heaven's sake, you DO know that from forever, not just since 2001, if you leave unattended baggage they can take it and blow it up to make sure it's not a bomb, right?

An unattended bike labeled "This is a pipe bomb" when of course you COULD stuff the frame full of everything imaginable, that is not checked out and subsequently explodes because it WAS a pipe bomb would ignite a shitstorm of "those incompetent bastards!" So, the default is to be overly cautious.

Anybody who does not understand this needs to go back to kindergarten.
Do you have to be so condescending? Really, I pretty much agree with you aside from that last comment...

For me they fall into the 'somewhat too iritatingly earnest' category. qv. Submission Hold.

you're late. that was way longer of a delay from me mentioning your absence to you posting something than usual.

To be honest... that is kind of a dumb band name. Why do people name their bands like that?

... take a look at my location. then google map it. then ask yourself, how would the interstate get me out of the State of Hawaii... :D

you have an interstate, and to be 'inter' it must connect to another. otherwise it would just be an intrastate. maybe you just missed the exit?

Do you have to be so condescending? Really, I pretty much agree with you aside from that last comment...
So sorry, I tend to react that way when people are condescending in the first place. Something about being human....

I've got another strange label for an object.
You see, this is not a pipe.

http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog-images/art/magritte-not-a-pipe.jpg

I've got another strange label for an object.
You see, this is not a pipe.

http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog-images/art/magritte-not-a-pipe.jpg

Barringtonia beat you there, but don't you think Duchamp would be more appropriate?