Just to prove that non-stress flying is indeed still possible. Photo courtesy of Mila Zinkova/Wikipedia Commons.
Just when you thought that we would get back to happy, warm travel blogs, a story regarding explosives and failed security services comes out that we just cannot ignore.
As impossible as it seems, a Slovak man was wrongly incriminated as a terrorist suspect Monday, Jan. 4, when Slovak security officials planted explosives in his bag in order to test bomb-sniffing dogs—prior to a flight to Ireland—according to a report by the Associated Press.
Unfortunately, the dogs did not find the explosives, and the unknowing Slovak tourist (no, we are not making this up), actually flew to his destination in Ireland without being detected for anything by anyone. Worse, he only learned of the explosives when called by Slovak security upon arrival. Still worse, in what may have been a linguistic misunderstanding, Slovak officials in the meantime tipped off Irish authorities to the possibility that the man could be carrying a bomb.
And worst of all, he was then promptly arrested. In Ireland. As a terrorist.
Unbelievable.
The man, a 42-year-old electrician named Stefan Gonda, was cleared by his embassy, but obviously, questions remain as to the professionalism of the world’s anti-terrorist services. Needless to say, the Irish security services were stunned—especially when they received a message from Slovak officials requesting that the explosives (which they claimed are harmless without a detonator) be sent back by plane.
Honestly, you just cannot make this stuff up.
In fact, in this case the details of the case are so bizarre—so outlandish—that they almost defy comment. Considering the ongoing shake up in the wake of the barely unsuccessful Nigerian Christmas Day “Underwear Bomber,” which has seen U.S. President Barack Obama to come down hard on the U.S. intelligence and security services, the year’s biggest travel stories have thus far been a real source of worry.
All we can say is, guys, please—all of you—get it together.
No, actually we can say more than that.
Guys, we’re behind you. We want you—no, make that we need you, to win.
But that said, although it’s too early to tell in the Slovak case, maybe even the “Underwear Bomber” soap opera has a silver lining. Since the Nigerian bomber affair was exposed in the U.S., Italy, Britain and the Netherlands have all agreed to install full body scanners at airports and up security—and a body scanners are being ordered throughout the U.S.
Which means that the life of terrorists, thankfully, just got harder. Which means, thankfully, that traveling has just gotten—at least theoretically—a wee bit more secure.
Moreover, although the jury is still out with some EU nations (including Spain and Germany), expect a more EU states follow suit as airlines lobby for body scanners despite the additional cost—especially once they see passenger bookings actually increase through routes that they deem to be security-enhanced.
Trust us. It will happen. At least we would like to think so, as for the moment the world’s security apparatus seems to need all the help it can get.
There. You see. Life is good. Even the fiascos in life can turn out to be beneficial.
Now (hopefully) back to our regularly-scheduled programming.
By Preston Smith, editor, Psiloc World Traveler
Preston Smith can be reached directly at preston.smith@psiloc.com.
