leaked documents shows thermite cannot be detected by the TSA

Good morning people!
figured this was the best place to put the post.
I was doing my morning news read and found this bit of information, a document was leaked saying that currently the TSA cannot detect thermite and that it is a huge security risk, since it can be used to carry out further attacks:

The Transportation Security Administration said it is unlikely to detect and unable to extinguish what an FBI report called “the greatest potential incendiary threat to aviation,” according to a classified document obtained by The Intercept.

Several aviation officials, who also asked not be named, confirmed they had been briefed on the threat, but given no information or training on identifying thermite ignition. “They say to identify something we don’t know how to identify and say there is nothing we can do,” one federal air marshal said. “So basically, we hope it’s placed somewhere it does minimal damage, but basically we’re [screwed].”

firstlook.org... 25/tsa-issues-secret-warning-catastrophic-threat-aviation/

investmentwatchblog.com... -cannot-detect-it/


So there is a good slice of paranoia to go with your breakfast.
What do you guys think?
Apparently this document was leaked, so we really shouldn't know about this, but now here it is.
Is it fear mongering? are they planting this information just so prepare a thermite based attack in the future?

a reply to: IShotMyLastMuse

Makes senses. bomb dogs are trained to sniff out nitrates (the functional group of most explosives), however thermite is Iron oxide and aluminum.

In other news, igniting thermite without magnesium, titanium, or other nitro compounds is very hard. All of which would be detected by TSA.

Is thermite a threat? Not realy... but there is an easy to make, non-nitro high explosive, that is a threat.. probably shouldn't name it... it's stupid easy to make. Acetone, HCL, and ?

Time to stock up on iron oxide and aluminum!!

a reply to: IShotMyLastMuse

I'd image that there is a long list of dangerous compounds that the TSA is unable to detect. Also, I find it hard to imagine that 'taking down a plane' is a terrorists objective, suggesting that it's not really a threat. It's almost cliche at this point and viewed as a soft means that no longer holds the impact it once would have. Granted their would be disruptions resulting and probably a strong response by the TSA to crack down.

Simply put, I'd still board a plane the next day and I'd assume that we've established precedence with regards to a military response after such an attack. They don't want none. The real threat are the lone wolves, copy cats, and impressionable youngsters. Those that pose real threats are more localized, limited reach and aimed at communities. A blanketed 'attack on America' is a thing of the past in my opinion.

the report is just fear mongering and i aint scared

a reply to: doompornjunkie

go on - tell us how to detect magnesium

If any of these threats were real, you would have Green Berets checking you through. Highly trained individuals who could tell the difference between an explosive and silly putty.

Instead we have the TSA paying peanuts to wannabe monkeys.

P

originally posted by: ignorant_ape
a reply to: doompornjunkie

go on - tell us how to detect magnesium

I wondered the same thing. Not saying they can't, just wondered how.
Then I was thinking, wouldn't thermite in any quantity that could pose a threat, show up on an x-ray machine?