Backhoes, natch... All you need is a camo uniform, M-16, and spool for rapid network deployment:
http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/navigation/brugg/brugg5.html
Repairing cables places your life at risk:
http://colofinder.net/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album17&id=izd_011a
I believe thats an FN-FAL rifle, not a M-16... I wonder if telcom's could
employ these folks to watch over their fiber lines to keep the backhoes
away?
"Christopher L. Morrow" <chris@UU.NET> writes:
I believe thats an FN-FAL rifle, not a M-16... I wonder if telcom's could
employ these folks to watch over their fiber lines to keep the backhoes
away?
It's a SIG SG550, not an FAL or an M16.
---Rob
Just be careful about flying too close to the US Presidential motercade.
A pipeline spotter aircraft pilot (i.e. backhoe spotter for pipelines) was
intercepted by the US Air Force and questioned for several hours by the
Secret Service when his regular air route over pipelines flew within 30
miles of the presidential limo.
Why the president was within 30 miles of a pipeline has not been answered
by the White House.
well there ya go! 
I just knew it wasn't a m16 and was guessing toward
the FAL due to language and stock appearances... been a few years since I
spent time looking at guns.
Thus spake Sean Donelan (sean@donelan.com):
Just be careful about flying too close to the US Presidential motercade.
A pipeline spotter aircraft pilot (i.e. backhoe spotter for pipelines) was
intercepted by the US Air Force and questioned for several hours by the
Secret Service when his regular air route over pipelines flew within 30
miles of the presidential limo.Why the president was within 30 miles of a pipeline has not been answered
by the White House.
When has the president NOT been within 30 miles of something related
to the petroleum industry? <cough> Seriously, though, I can't see
any reason why wouldn't get close to them from time to time; it's not
as though pipelines explode with 30-mile blast radii. At least, not
often.
Eric
But the President's movements creates its own vulnerabilities for the rest
of the critical infrastructures nearby. If you know the President will be
in the area (the FAA posts advance notice to airman), you also now know
that all ariel surveillance of pipelines, fiber routes, and other
critical infrastructures in 30 miles will be grounded. What better time
to roll out the backhoes and plant your devices for later use.
Then the President gets to explain why Pipeline Co couldn't stop the
terrorists blowing up a major pipeline because their surveillance
planes were grounded by the Secret Service/FAA.
First of all it creates vulnerabilities for the President in the first
place. If bad guys know that the President will be in the area (i.e. by
receiving advance notice from FAA) they can mount an effective ambush.
I think this is more about display of power and about overzealous
ass-licking in the security bureaucracy than about security. Reminds me
good old Soviet days where daily trips of members of Politbureau were a
major nuisance for those unlucky to live along the most frequent routes.
--vadi