Director Mike Figgis plane story an exaggeration

MBMay 30th, 2007 - 14:17:11

I feel safer.
Don't you feel safer?
Thank god, the almighty Ministry of Fatherland 'Security' is here with their TSA goonsquad to make us all safe fwom the tewowists.

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DavidMay 31st, 2007 - 14:13:45

He did say 'shoot a pilot'. 'Shoot' has (at least) two meanings -- one related to film and the other to guns. 'Pilot' also has several meanings -- one is a sample movie/show, the other is the person who controls an airplane.

Now, if you're at an airport, which version of 'Pilot' is more relevant? I would contend that it is the person pushing the switches in the front of the airplane.

Given that context, the obvious 'shoot' meaning involves guns.

If he had said 'film a pilot' or 'film a pilot episode for a TV show' then we wouldn't have this problem.

Now, it is not likely that a terrorist would be dumb enough to tell a TSA agent their true intentions, but, if for no other reason than liability, once something that sounds like a threat is made, it has to be reacted to strongly.

That's also why there are signs around airports that it is a crime to even joke about hijacking or bombs or other weapons!

- David

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Hate TSAMay 31st, 2007 - 14:35:57

it's a good thing he didn't say 'boy, I made a real bomb' to those idiots-
even garbage men in LA know hwat shooting a pilot means, no one says I am filming a preliminary show...

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dtMay 31st, 2007 - 18:08:25

my favorite thing is to get drinking at the airport bar and then talk about how bombed i am. people love hearing that. :o)

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docmirrorMay 31st, 2007 - 19:05:21

You are all idiots. TSA had nothing to do with this! It was IMMIGRATION. Jeez, learn to read.

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HeroMay 31st, 2007 - 20:51:57

I'm curious, why was he being screened by immigration in the first place? He was in Vegas going to LA.

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HeroMay 31st, 2007 - 21:00:24

Oops. Never mind, I re-read the article.

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world travelerJun 1st, 2007 - 00:59:58

Very strange, I've traveled a lot and have *never* been asked by TSA why I'm flying somewhere. I wonder if someone's memory is fuzzy.

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Susan, SoCalJun 1st, 2007 - 04:36:55

I'm sure Figgis is still reeling from the indignity of it all.

;-)

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RobJun 4th, 2007 - 08:36:24

'Don't you know who I am, goddammit!'
'Er, no, actually. You have a beard, a funny accent and said you were here to shoot a pilot, are you Al Qaeda?'

Some suggestions for Mike for the next time he travels:

'I've just made a bomb and I'm coming here to test.'
'I'm looking for my heroine.'

Maybe he could take an inflatable model of LAX and say:

'I'm going film myself blowing up the airport.'

Come on Mike, don't be an idiot. On the other hand, what's the official doing being so retentive?

I'm ashamed to be British, but I bet you're even more ashamed to be American.

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Reverend SpamJun 7th, 2007 - 01:26:12

Obviously TSA does not hire rocket scientists.

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Walter TobiasJun 7th, 2007 - 06:16:48

TSA idiots are all morons. You couldn't find have an IQ with a shovel with that bunch. And Bush is the stupidest President since Ronnie Raygun - and that's saying something! All the Republican'ts sell is fear, Fear, and FEAR. Maybe it's time to save America and shoot a Republican?

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fJun 7th, 2007 - 12:43:38

only an idiot would say 'SHOOT A PILOT' to airport personnel. like they would even know what a pilot is.

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Jean-PaulJun 15th, 2007 - 14:35:03

WRT David's explanation, I'd like to add, that the opposite may be OK, though: If an officer asks you at immigration, if you're carrying arms, bombs, or other weapons of mass destruction ... in 2004! Well, that's what happend to me at Seatac - which I took as a joke with as much care as possible.

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