Loren Pechtel

Yeah, security in China has also always been very polite.

They also apparently never search the bags of foreigners--if x-ray sees something strange you are asked to show them the item. I have seen them search the bag of my SIL (Chinese citizen), though. I like the approach, there's much less chance of sticky fingers and it's probably faster besides as normally I have known what the item was and where it was packed. The only time I didn't recognize it they wouldn't have found it any faster than I did--I had used the space between the rails of the handle to pack some chopsticks. I didn't realize my wife had bought one metal pair and didn't recognize them on the x-ray.

Himeno

It will come at the TSA checkpoint.

yandosan

"I don't ever want another 9/11. In my opinion, what happened on that day was our fault due to our lackadaisical attitude toward lives and safety. The problem has been rectified and I never want to go back."
How true, how true. Hey, I have an idea--let's give up *all* our Constitutional rights,
just to be completely safe.

relangford

Pesky Monkey: got a stutter (post 25, 26, 27, 28) ?

^ As I have said on several posts: it is easier to shoot down a plane than to get on one. While I do not like some of the TSA theater, I do hope the TSA is looking in better security around airports (easier to use an RPG on takeoff and landing than at altitude - it takes more missile to hit a plane at cruising altitude).

injian

Hope this is sarcasm - if yes, bravo. If not, le sigh.

djm3

Well, what does one say to the TSA question: "Do you want to fly today?"

I hardly ever can answer "No" to this question.

Always Flyin

"I frankly could not care less. Now go find your supervisor for me. We're going to have a discussion about your job performance."

And, yes, I have really said just that. More than once. And, yes, I flew that day.

Schmurrr

I posted a question to this effect on the TSA blog a couple of times. It has been ignored. However, I think PreCheck is useless with respect to cutting the risk of a terror event, so the TSA bloggers do not really need to answer that question. I would much rather they answer the question of how exactly TSA thinks PreCheck makes flights safer. As long as TSA continues to fail to provide independently reviewable cost-benefit and risk assessments for PreCheck, I will continue to hypothesize that PreCheck is about shutting up vocal frequent flyers, not making air travel safer.

TMtraveler

I'm not sure justifying PreCheck as being "safer" than regular screenings is the right answer. I think the TSA first needs to justify that the regular screenings (body scanners, pat downs) and their other security "enhancements" make flights safer than a conventional PreCheck screening. Many nations still use the typical screenings conducted during PreCheck with no issue.

I'd like to see a little more justification for the invasion of privacy, personally. I'm not saying we need to go back to metal detectors at each gate (though I fail to see how that level of screening would be any less secure than one check at the entrance to the terminal and then nothing thereafter), but I don't think we can attribute the lack of airplane terrorism since 2002 to body scanners and shampoo bans.

One huge change: FLIGHT DECK DOORS THAT LOCK! Another is the general awareness of the public. Nobody is acting suspicious and getting one over on a plane of 150+ people anymore. In 2001 the act was unfathomable and shocking, in 2014 there'd be a melee on the plane before anybody hijacked anything.

Smarter security, not "more" security . . .

mikeef

I understand your point of view. Tens of thousands of people die in car accidents every year. I don't ever want that to happen again. In my opinion, it's due to our lackadaisical attitude toward lives and safety. To rectify the problem, I'd recommend a 20 MPH speed limit and drunk driving checkpoints every mile. Police should also be able to search cars at will and randomly, just in case.

I've been talking to my boss about working from home full-time. There are a lot of trees in my neighborhood, and if one fell on me, it could do some serious damage. Also, I have to cross two busy intersections. The grocery store delivers just about everything I need, so I'd never really need to leave the house.

Mike

CPT Trips

Already has and it was a whitish All American young man.

84fiero

Great post all around. Do what makes sense from an actual risk management and evidence-based perspective.

I'm with you on the cars. In fact, do we really need to be driving these dangerous machines at all? I'd like to see the government step in and protect us by banning automobiles entirely. Walking will get us anywhere we need to go locally and the government could use armored personnel carriers to transport us for long-distance trips.

jkhuggins

And if their opponent also supports TSA, then what?

"Welcome to the new boss ... same as the old boss ..."

Blogndog

"that" problem has never been repeated. Instead, we have had attacks on the land side of airports such as DME and LAX. We've had a mass knife attack at a rail station, bombing of the Boston Marathon, bombings of discos, rail stations, and underground stations, and the entire audience of a production of "North by Northwest" being taken hostage. so I am so very thrilled and happy that the TSA has successfully shifted the terrorism problem away from airports, and in to other areas which are some other Federal bureaucrat's problem. it's just so worth all those billions to see schoolchildren targeted instead of air travellers.

Makecry

So you are one of those who views every brown guy with suspicion. Good luck then.

On topic: I find TSA to be rude usually. I'm usually prechecked courtsey of global entry but I still find them rude.