More TSA security theatre...

[futurebeachbum]

Lots of analysis in the news lately on how ineffective the TSA is...

Here are a few articles:

The New York Times polled 5 'experts' for "What?s Missing in Airport Security?"

The Australian Broadcast Corp has "The pointless pantomime of airport security"

Bruce Schneier (a well known security expert) has a great quote on his security blog:

"I've started to call the bizarre new TSA rules "magical thinking": if we somehow protect against the specific tactic of the previous terrorist, we make ourselves safe from the next terrorist."​

The most laughable part of the whole charade is the "no leaving the seat or having personal possessions (including even a book) for the last 60 minutes of the flight". Its amazing that no terrorist would think of doing something naughty earlier than the last 60 minutes of flight.

Wow! I just thought of something and its a scary thought! What if the terrorist's watch is fast and he thinks its the last 60 minutes before it actually is? He/she could get up and do something bad and accidently subvert the whole system!!!!!! We need to make sure that everyone on the flight synchronizes their watches before takeoff.

 

[LuciferSam]

Lots of analysis in the news lately on how ineffective the TSA is...

Here are a few articles:

The New York Times polled 5 'experts' for "What?s Missing in Airport Security?"

The Australian Broadcast Corp has "The pointless pantomime of airport security"

Bruce Schneier (a well known security expert) has a great quote on his security blog:

"I've started to call the bizarre new TSA rules "magical thinking": if we somehow protect against the specific tactic of the previous terrorist, we make ourselves safe from the next terrorist."​

The most laughable part of the whole charade is the "no leaving the seat or having personal possessions (including even a book) for the last 60 minutes of the flight". Its amazing that no terrorist would think of doing something naughty earlier than the last 60 minutes of flight.

Wow! I just thought of something and its a scary thought! What if the terrorist's watch is fast and he thinks its the last 60 minutes before it actually is? He/she could get up and do something bad and accidently subvert the whole system!!!!!! We need to make sure that everyone on the flight synchronizes their watches before takeoff.

The idea is to provide the misinformed masses with the illusion of safety.

 

[scooterbug44]

Totally agree that those knee jerk rules are dumb (and already rescinded).

IMO if they don't find an item/person before they are on the plane, the chances of foiling an attack in the air are low.

And while I know hindsight is 20/20 it seems like foresight is Mr. Magoo these days as more and more bureaucracy gets in the way and every major incident ends with a list of all the red flags that were missed.

All that was needed in this case was for ONE of the many MAJOR clues to have prompted a more thorough security check on this guy.

That's it.

A little common sense and actual action amid all the hot air, blame, and posturing. All we need to do in the age of Google is share information better..............and then act on it.

Does anyone have any problem with making it harder for someone we are suspicious of to get on a plane?

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Totally agree that those knee jerk rules are dumb (and already rescinded).

IMO if they don't find an item/person before they are on the plane, the chances of foiling an attack in the air are low.

And while I know hindsight is 20/20 it seems like foresight is Mr. Magoo these days as more and more bureaucracy gets in the way and every major incident ends with a list of all the red flags that were missed.

All that was needed in this case was for ONE of the many MAJOR clues to have prompted a more thorough security check on this guy.

That's it.

A little common sense and actual action amid all the hot air, blame, and posturing. All we need to do in the age of Google is share information better..............and then act on it.

Does anyone have any problem with making it harder for someone we are suspicious of to get on a plane?

I'm always suspicious of small, screaming children. Maybe we could keep them off planes.

Sincerely,
Ivana Trump

 

[scooterbug44]

I loved it when I saw that article! She rocks! :rofl:

Seriously though, small children are a major potential security threat - they are allowed more leeway, more luggage (I shudder to think what MacGyver could do with the tyical stroller and diaper bag), can violate the liquids rules, adults traveling with them are screened less thoroughly, they are a major distraction for other passengers and staff, they can board the plane early w/o supervision, and any attempts to regulate them result in public relations nightmares and lawsuits..........

And as Mama Scooterbug told me when I was 10 and got in trouble w/ TSA for the scissors I had in my backpack - what makes you think a terrorist whose ONLY goal is to kill innocent people and create fear would hesitate to use a baby or little kid* to do their dirty work?

*just 10-15 years younger than many of their suicide bombers

 

[futurebeachbum]

Who knew? 2009 was a very successful year for the TSA..

The acting head of the TSA has put out a message to the troops, congratulating them on a very successful year.

I guess improperly leaked documents, swiss cheese like security, etc.. can be spun as a success?

Here's my favorite success from the list:

Our team has brilliantly obligated more than 60 percent of the $1 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds given to TSA, which will provide additional screening technology to airports.​

I think that prior to today, I was unfamiliar with the term "brilliantly obligated"...

 

[scooterbug44]

I guess it depends on your definition of success.

One might say that the fact that 0% of the flights that I and my family flew on were disrupted by a terrorist attack and that 0 Americans were killed from commercial planes flown into buildings or the ground or blown up by terrorists means the year was a success.

Not that there isn't room for major improvement, but 0% works for me.

 

[Lake View Too]

It kinda seems like their idiots are dumber than our idiots. We'd be in a heap of trouble if any of these yahoos knew how to light a fuse properly.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Flying to and fro our nation's capital this week, should be interesting. I will report if there is anything of note..

 

[Jdarg]

Arm chair quarterbacking- are any of you critics qualified yourselves to know what you are talking about in terms of the monumental task of trying to qualify and track so many potential threatening people worldwide? Wow- have at it!

I think the law of large numbers kicks in at some point- somebody is going to slip through the cracks. It is pretty obvious more people lately have been unsuccessful than successful at terrorism against the US- something we are doing must be working.