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Friday, December 9, 2005 12:00 AM

The war on terror: Miami

The shooting of Rigoberto Alpizar wasn't just a horrible mistake. It was also a major setback for sane airport security.

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  • Friday, December 9, 2005 11:32 AM

    Neckties are not intimidating

    "Let's face it," TSA regional manager Ann Davis tells Ask the Pilot. "You can strangle somebody with a necktie if you really want to. It's time to focus on screening out intent, not just items themselves."

    The important question you have to ask about the item is: would you be unwilling to facedown someone because they were wielding it? For example, I would know a moment of stark terror if someone was swinging an exacto knife at me in close quarters. The same can't be said for a necktie. A 7-inch phillips-head? I wouldn't be as frightened of it as a knife, but it would give me pause, and I think that's something to consider.

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