SATTSO,

Kudos for attempting to start an intelligent discussion on this innovation. I'm afraid you picked the wrong audience; some of these folks will whine no matter what TSA does. You already know that.

The biggest criticism against TSA is how an elderly person in a wheelchair has to undergo the exact same type of screening as a younger, more able-bodied passenger. Or how a young child is patted down in the same manner as an adult would be screened. The other complaint, which is nothing more than thinly disguised racism, is the old "Norwegian terrorist" argument: since none of the 9/11 terrorists were Norwegian, dark skinned passengers should undergo more intense screening. (Yeah, some in here will deny this, but what it boils down to is that white, Anglo-Saxon "Americans" should not have to undergo screening.) The implied complaint is that TSA ought to adjust its screening methodology according to the situation. In other words, apply common sense. The folks who advocate this usually do so because they believe they will fall in the exception category and that everyone else will have to undergo regular screening.

I think RBS is a long overdue step in the right direction. But it's going to require a massive culture change on both sides of the X-ray machine, and I don't think the public nor TSA workforce is prepared to make that change. The very first complaint I see coming is "why her and not me?" immediately followed by a demand that EVERYONE undergo the EXACT SAME screening methodology in order to be FAIR to everyone. And the other argument that will surface is whenever prohibited items are discovered after a low-risk passenger was screened how the program is "obviously" a "failure." I hope TSA sticks to its guns and continues to develop RBS because it is the right thing to do. Eventually, the traveling public will understand and accept it with the exception of the minority few knuckleheads who just live to piss in the pool no matter who's swimming in it.

Bottom line: focus on those who need the extra attention instead of those who truly do not pose a threat to commercial aviation.

It's a huge step. I don't think folks understand everything that comes with it.

Again, thanks for introducing the topic.