MagShoe, the "portable footwear weapons detection system"

Thanks to that freaky would-be shoe bomber dude, we're all now forced to endure the embarrassment of exposing foot odor and sock holes to our fellow passengers every time we take a flight -- but thanks to a company named IDO Security and its MagShoe metal detector, this long national nightmare at airport security lines may soon be at an end. The high-speed portable device allows folks to simply stand in its dual foot bays -- shoes on -- for just a few seconds before the all clear is given, and has already been tested successfully overseas. Military Tech goes on to report that a US deployment is almost a done deal, according to the company, with the TSA currently evaluating the MagShoe for domestic use. Now, will someone please come up with a way for us to bring a bottle of water on the plane?

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 4th 2007 10:27AM]

I think they should develop a bomb-proof booth and a device that would detonate any explosives on your person. If strap C-4 to yourself, you get blowed up.

[Chuckles McGee @ Dec 4th 2007 10:54AM]

That's brilliant. I'm sure you could do that using a few rolls of duct tape and some magic.

[eric @ Dec 4th 2007 10:40AM]

Busses hold a lot of people.
Let's apply all this absurd fear-inspired heightened safety to getting on one of those.

[Greg @ Dec 4th 2007 6:00PM]

A lot of people use schools... banks, and high ways too. Oh noes, teh terroristz r commin!
Quick, get some security at every mile marker.

[Generic @ Dec 4th 2007 10:51AM]

One idiot carrying explosives in his shoes and a device is specifically made to handle 'shoes'. I mean really what is going on with the world? What a waste of technology. Wouldn't it be cheaper and more meaningful to modify regular metal detectors to detect all the human-load of material from top to bottom for metal objects?

[superfresh @ Dec 4th 2007 11:49AM]

That's what so great about airport security...always reactive, never proactive.

You never EVER go to the airport and face an inspection that you don't already know the reason for.

Wouldn't it blow your mind if they said "Ma'am, could you please remove your belt and shoes? We also need you to turn up your collar and touch your right knee with your left hand."

I find it terrifying that they only discover the need to check for things AFTER they've made it onto a plane. Why is there no intelligence collected that ever leads to changes in airport security? Why is it always a surprise?

[Tony @ Dec 4th 2007 10:52AM]

I know they don't let you bring a bottle of water through security, but they have never had any objections to my Nalgene bottle when empty... so, if you think you can stomach the Hudson brand H20 coming out of the water fountains at JFK, you should be able to save that $2 surcharge at the newsstands.

[Flashpoint @ Dec 4th 2007 10:53AM]

First of all, I'd like to thank the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY for making sure this device was released in a timely fashion...

...over 6 years after September 11, 2001.

I'd also like to that the DoHS for giving the Executive Branch more and more power over Americans who are willing to trade their rights for a sense of security.

[Reader @ Dec 4th 2007 12:38PM]

3 cheers for the Patriot Act. /sarcasm

[aeo @ Dec 4th 2007 10:55AM]

I doubt that even if PDX gets one of these, that they'd use it. I think the TSA gets off on forcing people to take off selected articles of clothing. I mean where else do you get paid to tell others to take their clothes off (other than doctors of course)? Worse, WE pay them in the form of the "security fee" on the plane ticket. Security Fee? Sounds like the "Protection" scam the mob allegedly pulls on business owners and yet I don't feel any safer. Shoe bombs... WTF. Might as well start checking for ass bombs.

[noza @ Dec 4th 2007 1:39PM]

Ah crap, you had to go and suggest that there might be Ass Bombs. Now we'll all have to endure -that- screening!

[radiationman @ Dec 4th 2007 11:38AM]

Heck I want not just the ability to bring a bottle of water through security - but also the ability to go through security WITHOUT having to unpack my laptop! The lines would move much more smoothly if they could come up with a way to screen passengers without forcing them to unpack their bags...

[Suijin @ Dec 4th 2007 11:18AM]

You can buy water inside of security also. Bottled water from some food/coffee stand. Then you can bring the bottle where ever you want, even on the plane.

[Jacob Kennedy @ Dec 4th 2007 11:14AM]

It's old news but why aren't we just focusing on the Total Recall-like full body scanner? Unless you're John Malkovich smuggling a ceramic gun this thing will pick up anything you're trying to carry on.

http://weblog.infoworld.com/techwatch/archives/004608.html

Apparently they're safer than an x-ray and use less power than a cell phone...

[Kate @ Dec 4th 2007 11:28AM]

As a girl, it blows my mind every time I go through the airport security wearing sandals, I am still required to take them off. These aren't thick Teva-like sandals, either-- my feet are practically bare already.

These things are, in my mind, little more than reassurances to provide the illusion of security to overly fearful people. Even with bare feet, you could tape matches to your foot, or hide them in your sock. This is, of course, not even taking into account all the reports that consistently come out on our own national airports, disclosing dozens of security holes that allow guns, knives, etc. to get through security.

If the last six years should have taught us anything, it's "where there's a will, there's a way." Taking off your shoes? No water bottles? Put your shampoo in a baggie? Some of these are things we'd never have thought could be potential security threats, but who knows where it will go from here? How long before we go through a sixty-seven point security check just to fly to Orlando?

[ecobore @ Dec 4th 2007 11:36AM]

Water is easy, just buy it after security control!

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 4th 2007 7:09PM]

And pay two or three times more for a damn water bottle!

[Whiplash @ Dec 4th 2007 11:36AM]

The whole screening process is rediculous. Most TSA workers are mindless knobs who are more interested in getting you throught the scanner without it beeping than they are with actually "securing" anything. I'm convinced that if I had plainly visible bomb and it got through the scanner, they would wave me through, while at the same time forcing grandma to empty that tube of bengay.

I am reminded of that SNL skit about TSA training. One of the students asks the instructor.... "what if I was confident that I could PRODUCE more than 3oz of liquid... or gel.... once on the plane?". Classic.

[ecobore @ Dec 4th 2007 11:45AM]

couldn't agree more. ALL of this is really to satisfy "The Public" that security is in their interests. Sure we need to scan luggage etc. but specialist shoe scanners!!! for chrissake! And as for that body scanner, I read somewhere that prudes were worried that you might be able to see a silhouette of their 'privates' and as such those areas would be barred from scanning!!!!!!! Guess where Mr terreuriste is going to hide his piece!!! Oh, it's all so screwed up as to be hilarious! Looks like us in the UK are going to have to fill in a 57 question form to take a day trip into France - REALLY looking forward to THAT shit!

[DT @ Dec 4th 2007 11:52AM]

I just flew into New York from Tel Aviv on an El Al flight this morning...they did not ask me to remove my shoes. Believe me, if Israeli security experts think that taking off your shoes isn't necessary, then IT ISN'T NECESSARY!

I hate how we instantly focus all of our security precautions on stupid minutiae whenever there's a single unique attempt thwarted. Do they really think there are terrorists who are still going to try the shoe-bomb method? That someone is going to smuggle liquid explosives in a water bottle? Once security agencies are onto a certain method, terrorists will switch to another method, which will go unnoticed because every security screener is looking at shoes and baby bottles and failing to use their brain to assess a passenger's risk likelihood.

Then again, asking someone to use their brain these days is a pretty big request, and way above security screeners' pay grade.

[Cellulose @ Dec 4th 2007 2:01PM]

I'm glad someone finally brought up El Al. They have the *best* track record for security of the entire Airline (or perhaps Transportation) industry. Most of their security precautions aren't even visible to the general public! But instead of spending our security dollars on real improvements, we waste them on untested gadgets produced by worthless security vendors.

El Al came up with a novel concept decades ago... It's called threat profiling. You evaluate threats based on a profile that has MANY DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS and is CONSTANTLY UPDATED to meet the current threat. Maybe the rest of the world could learn from this.

Instead of using these worthless random screening or a static 1970's profiles or single-dimension profiles (such as race), we could actually do something that works.

[Wolfticket @ Dec 4th 2007 11:57AM]

It'll work, as long as the terrorist doesn't use explodoreaters...

(I'd like to thank my family, my manager, and my Viz annual)

[Marshall @ Dec 4th 2007 12:18PM]

Getting a bottle of water through is easy; just use the don't ask, don't tell policy. I saw multiple bottles of water go through in Phoenix. When people were asked if they had water or if they asked if water was okay, it would be confiscated. If people were not asked about it, or didn't bring it up, the water got through just fine.

The stupid policy on water is bad, but the half-assed implementation of the policy is worse.

[smithtuna6633 @ Dec 4th 2007 12:44PM]

simple way to get water on a plane... put it in your pocket. granted, you might appear... excited... but the whole no-liquid-thru-security thing is insane because liquid *doesn't set off metal detectors*, nor do most plastic liquid containers. A simple bag tied to your leg would get past easy if you were really trying to bring something flammable or otherwise dangerous in.. course if you get patted down they'd probably notice.
/rant
all these security rules give the illusion of security, and in reality boil down to excessive intrusion into our personal lives. being overjoyed at the simplicity of this shoe scanner is just proof that we're used to the idea.
/end rant

[DT @ Dec 4th 2007 2:08PM]

"Mommy! There's a man in the girls' bathroom, and he has something hard in his pants!"

[Andy @ Dec 4th 2007 1:36PM]

I'm just praying nobody gets caught hiding a bomb in their ass. Wouldn't want to see that piece of specialized equipment...

[john @ Dec 4th 2007 2:06PM]

After the initial shoe bombing fears the Madison, WI airport had a device that some kid made for his eagle scout project. You would step on it and it would tell you if you had to take your shoes off or not. Basically it was detecting if you had a metal tang in the shoe or not. It was wooden and pretty obviously home made but very useful. I did think it was a bit strange though to use a device some kid made in airport security.

[PDX @ Dec 4th 2007 2:04PM]

Let me 1st start off with my disclaimer. I work for TSA and have been for over 5 years. Iv worked at many different airports in that time span.
I will attempt to answer as many of the posts with my opinion without giving out any SSI (sensitive security information)

I have yet to hear of this product at my airport. I can say that I have seen something like it though. There were some ingenious boy scouts who took some cheap HHMD ( hand held metal detectors ) and took them apart and put them into a box. When you put your shoe on the box, it had lights that would light up if your shoes had metal shanks. The majority of shoes out there have metal shanks and there for need to be taken off, or you will alarm the WTMD and be sent in for secondary screening. I really don’t if these will be implemented.

On to the posts..

“Wouldn't it be cheaper and more meaningful to modify regular metal detectors to detect all the human-load of material from top to bottom for metal objects?”

Well, they do this already. Had you taken a pair of shoes that had metal shanks, and put them on your head.. you would alarm… if you put them down the front of your pants, you would alarm. No matter where on your person you put these shoes.. you would alarm. The WTMD is designed to detect metal.. and that’s ALL. It doesn’t sniff for C4, Simtex, TnT, Det cord.. ect… So, if you have bad stuff like that in your shoes.. how would a WTMD alarm on that stuff? I wont, and cant. The BEST way right now to combat that situation is to take off the shoes and run them threw the X-Ray. The person running the machine will see the modified shoes because they look WAY different then a pair of normal shoes that are not “Fixed”.

Are you folks aware that there are manufactures who sell shoes that have hidden compartments for “Stuff” in the sole of the shoes? There is a manufacture of sandals that has a reservoir for liquid in the heel of the shoe.. Has a little spin off cap…

“First of all, I'd like to thank the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY for making sure this device was released in a timely fashion......over 6 years after September 11, 2001”

Both DHS and TSA were not around on 9/11. Private security firms ran the checkpoint.
Richard Reid was the reason the whole shoe thing happened. That was Dec 22, 2001.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Reid_(shoe_bomber) . After that, TSA made everyone take off their shoes. They then changed to allow shoes that were of a certain thickness. They then turned around years later and said No more shoes. In My opinion they did that last change to Not allow shoes because they found out exactly how much
bad stuff it takes to bring down a plane that’s pressurized in the air. So, if they are not allowing even sandals then, put two n two together.

“I'd also like to that the DoHS for giving the Executive Branch more and more power over Americans who are willing to trade their rights for a sense of security”


So have you heard the term “Freedom isn’t free” ? I know of no place in the constitution says you have the RIGHT to Fly..When you book a ticket, you are paying for a service… See.. your paying to get something… when you pay for said service you promise to follow the rules.. these rules keep people safe. Don’t want to follow the rules?
Charter a flight… Take a Bus ect. If your under the impression you have the RIGHT to fly, then you would also be the same person to say, you have the RIGHT to drive?
So, every Drunk guy/girl on the road.. has a RIGHT to drive drunk? Well.. no you say.. we have rules….. see where im going? Your not mad that its against the law to drive drunk, or that stop lights are a waste of money… so why are you mad that someone is trying to keep people safe on planes when we KNOW there is a threat?


“I think the TSA gets off on forcing people to take off selected articles of clothing.”

Please read the above mention of the WTDM and what it can detect. If you have a bulky sweatshirt on, or a jacket.. how do I KNOW you don’t have a bomb vest on under that jacket or sweatshirt? Do I ask nice and if you say no.. its cool? Should I profile.. and look for just Arab people? Look up Timothy McVeigh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_McVay White male, enlisted in the US Army, was a decorated vet..ect Oklahoma Bombing ring a bell? He was a terrorist as well.
TSA has “Puffer” machines.. you may have been lucky to see them at the big airports.. they cost a TON of money, hence the reason why you don’t see them at every airport.
These puffer machines blast air at ya, and then a vacuum sucks up all the particles that are blow off you from the air blast.. its smells it.. makes sure you a good boy and not been playing with bad stuff.. and then gives either the OK or the Alarm. I wish everyone could go threw these.. but they are SLOW. Lines would back way way wayyyyyyy up if everyone had to go threw one. It’s a good start, but not perfect.

“That's what so great about airport security...always reactive, never proactive”

I agree with ya. There was a time when TSA’s SOP (standard operating procedure) was written by some lawyer who never worked on the floor, but times have changed.
Screeners and Supervisors now have more input on how things should be done.
There was a time when you were only allowed ONE try when walking threw the WTMD.
We asked for a change.. now you have two try’s. 90% of all 1st alarms are from someone forgetting Cell phones in their pockets, HUGE belt buckles made out of metal no less.. or girls with hairclips or bracelets on her arms. Things are getting better. They are always looking for change to our SOP and they are trying to change it with the help from the INSIDE. Who knows best, but the workers doing the job on what needs to be changed.

“It's old news but why aren't we just focusing on the Total Recall-like full body scanner? Unless you're John Malkovich smuggling a ceramic gun this thing will pick up anything you're trying to carry on.”

Id love to see these machines. They are still being tested. The folks who have metal implants who ALLWAYS alarm would love these, but there is always a group who has issues with privacy concerns. These units are only used on folks who ALARM the WTMD and you are not subjected to this unless you alarm.

“As a girl, it blows my mind every time I go through the airport security wearing sandals, I am still required to take them off. These aren't thick Teva-like sandals, either-- my feet are practically bare already.”

Please read my opinion on why they decided not to allow shoes anymore.. Do you think your sandals could be fitted with enough bad stuff to damage a plane in flight? If your sayin no.. I have bad news for ya.

“The whole screening process is ridiculous. Most TSA workers are mindless knobs who are more interested in getting you throught the scanner without it beeping than they are with actually "securing" anything.”

I’m not a mindless knob and most of the screeners that I know are not as well. We are tested MANY times a year on both what’s in our SOP, as well as image tests. You fail, you get to try again.. fail again and your out looking for a new job. No other federal service has this type of testing. Its hard to find people to work for TSA. Most don’t make the cut… either it be their Background, or their job skills or customer service skills are lacking. Maybe they get the job, but quit 2 or less weeks after because of everything they have to put up with while doing their jobs.. There are a lot of nice folks who fly.. but there are some who fight the system and want to argue and yell and use offensive language towards you. The majority of folks who fly, are people who fly maybe once a year. There are seasoned pro’s who just want to go threw the hoops and get to the other side.. but they are stuck behind drones of people who haven’t got a clue to what needs to be done. They don’t know that laptops needs to be taken out along with DVD players and Game consoles, or that Liquids need to be taken OUTSIDE of their bag to be declared.
Every time I have to go into a bag to pull out a laptop I could be spending doing a Random Hand Held Metal search on someone.. tryin to catch someone trying to sneak something in the checkpoint that shouldn’t be there.. but no.. I’m having to tell him what he needs to do while re screening his laptop. Or the ZILLIONS of times I have to do bag searches on Liquids left inside of bags.. I try and remind the people as im looking in their bag that Liquids need to be 3.4oz, In a quart size bag, and pulled OUTSIDE of their carry on bag and set in a bowl or in a bin with their coat and keys… and that if everyone left their liquids inside of their bags, we would have to go threw EVERYONES bags to do what they could have done in 10 seconds by taking out their liquids.
TSA puts up signs… has people standing in the lines to remind people about things they need to do… its printed on the ticket jackets that hold the bag stubs..
Ever been to Las Vegas airport….? While waiting in line, they have these short movies that play, telling people about the laptops and liquids and such… people pay no attention..

I like my job, and on most days.. it goes great. Some days… not so good.
I’m not tryin to flame anyone here, but inform who I can of why we do the things we do.
I only WISH TSA could share everything it knows and why it does what it does.. I think then people would understand why…. But.. if they did…then the terrorists would know and adapt their ways.. and then we are back to square one.. trying to find out what they are doing and how they do it. If we already know what they are doing and don’t let them know, that we know.. then we have a better chance of catching them.

PDX

[DarkLightConnection @ Dec 4th 2007 7:15PM]

Phew... that was long

[Hotwings @ Dec 4th 2007 3:49PM]

I really like and appreciate your comment PDX, but how long did it take you to type that? Next time, try not to take up about 30 comments worth of space. Great comment though.

Anyway > They're calling it "portable" , how much does that thing weigh? It doesn't look light. Who knows?

[blarvh @ Dec 4th 2007 5:13PM]

Glad they don't force people to take of their shoes in Europe, security is stupid enough already.
Buses and trains (OMG Trains!!) have equally much passengers, why shouldn't there be safety checks there? The train tracks should be under 24h surveillance, planting a bomb by the tracks would be SO much easier, and you can watch it on the news laughing while being ALIVE.
A bag in the center of a busy shopping street? The possibilities are endless.

But still only on airports are bags left unattended for 5 seconds shot to pieces... This is just playing on peoples FEAR of flying!!
And the worst part is that no one gets it!

[ardani @ Dec 4th 2007 5:54PM]

I once asked why only 3.4 oz and less were allowed. The people working at the security didn't know, so I had them get their supervisor--I had tons of time and there was no line. Said supervisor told me it was because it's 100ml. Ok...an even amount...but why are we using the metric system in America? It's like the Europeans calling the Royale with Cheese a 1/4 pounder...
So I was told to throw away my 3.5 oz bottle of aftershave. I told them I'd go put it in my car (which I didn't have since I was dropped off) and go through security again. They let me out, I went in the bathroom, put it in my pocket, and walked through security once more.
So what is the deal with 100ml anyway? Does 101ml of some liquid explode but one milliliter less doesn't? What's wrong with 200ml? or 300ml? or even 1000ml? All they are doing is making us more miserable and giving them a sense that they have more power.
I screw with TSA as often as I can because most of my encounters have been unpleasant so I may as well do the same for them, and I fly quite a bit.

The whole system is a joke.

[Harvey @ Dec 5th 2007 12:22AM]

People like you are the reason TSA workers are unpleasant to begin with. If you had a complete stranger come up to you at your place of business and tell you that you had no idea what you were doing and you served no purpose you probably wouldn't be too happy either.

PS: Just as many TSA employees loathe and see no reason for most of the rules as the traveling public.

[ardani @ Dec 5th 2007 12:32AM]

I believe the military serves a purpose, and with that, I serve a purpose in the military.

You don't believe that all the TSA crap is a joke? I can list several ways one can one way or another pass by them and do whatever they'd like to or with an airplane. Ways that I won't here discuss because I'd probably get investigated.


PS: And I don't appreciate being yelled at because I accidentally went in the wrong security line WHEN I'M IN UNIFORM.

[Byron @ Dec 4th 2007 6:41PM]

My big ass feet would never fit in there.

[Troy @ Dec 5th 2007 1:36AM]

The best security advances since 9/11:
1. Reinforced cockpit doors
2. Planes full of people who aren't going to let their plane be hijacked

Air travel was and still is ridiculously safe. The DoHS and the TSA are in the business of creating the appearance of safety.