I've long wished that I could study the impact of the TSA on passenger health. Although most point to concerns about microbes and bare feet, my concern is more about stress and (now) radiation exposure.
The problem is that the TSA checkpoint is only one aspect of traveler stress. Traffic to the airport, lines at the ticket counter, carrying heavy bags, fear of flying, and other factors would confound the study too much.
The TSA has failed to admit that its efforts to protect may actually be harmful.
Many of my patients ask for benzodiazepines for flying. Many (including me) cite the TSA checkpoint as the primary reason that they need sedation. I'm guessing that the TSA would be surprised to hear how common this is. They think they're doing a great job.
From a psychological standpoint, the TSA checkpoint has an extraordinary number of stressors. It is designed to instill fear.
1. It is unpredictable in terms of time and what is going to happen.
2. It is often loud, filled with angry staff and passengers.
3. There is public humiliation, such as the "penalty box" or being frisked in front of everyone at the gate.
4. There is public nudity: partial undressing, showing the inside of one's pants, holding one's arms up in the air while others realize that a naked image of your body is being viewed by others.
5. There is a fear of being "found out" even if one is innocent.
6. There is a specter of thought-reading by "behavioral detection."
7. There are an extraordinary number of rules, which defy common sense and are therefore hard to follow.
The TSA would argue that this cannot be fixed. I disagree. Several simple steps:
1. Strict policies against "barking." Staff who are impolite or yelling do not belong at the checkpoint.
2. Limit public pat-downs, such as "continuous secondary," "gate screening," or the "everyone gets patted down at the WTMD." The ability to request private screening is not honored if the TSA staff just start touching you at the metal detector. I consider this unnecessary public humiliation.
3. Limit clothing removal. We all know that shoes and belts can stay on in most cases.
4. Limit radiation use and exposure.
5. Ensure adequate staffing
6. Work hard to eliminate unnecessary or meaningless rules, such as 3-1-1.