Originally Posted by Superguy

What we had on 9/10/01 was adequate to the risk. I'd update the hardware that was used so they can better x-ray the stuff and get a better idea of what's there. I'd also fix the puffers and use those, as well as ETD swabbing and dogs.

I think it should be implemented by private companies with oversight by the gov't. The oversight should provide reasonable rules like we had pre-9/11 and have random red team testing. Real penalties should be assessed against the companies for failure to perform, up to and including the loss of contract if deficiencies are not corrected in a reasonable and specified time period.

CYA and fear should not dictate risk. Terrorism should be looked at objectively for what it really is, with the likelihood of success and the damage caused factored into mitigation measures. Mitigation should be proportionate to the risk. Theater should be eliminated. Whenever I see theater, it just tells me that they're doing what people think they want to see rather than what wants to be done. I'm more concerned about what's going on down below. Adequately screen pax and the pax will take care of the rest if something goes wrong in the cabin. However, pax are powerless to do something if something goes wrong down below.

We've wasted a ton of money on security and don't have anything to show for it. The GAO has shown what an abysmal failure TSA is. If we can get the same results with more or less pre-9/11 security, plus get it a lot cheaper, what do we really lose? Nothing. We have a lot to gain, though.