This is true. It can most certainly boomerang into something that is frustrating on both sides of the X-ray machine. This is why I said that it requires an entirely new mindset from top to bottom. I don't know if TSA is ready to do that not because it's not capable but because it has been conditioned for the past ten years by a risk-avoidance mindset.

In my previous life in the military, I was part of a similar structure in terms of unconventional methodology and true outside-the-box thinking. It worked very well, but we had to spend a lot of time breaking-in new arrivals from Big Army. I see similar challenges with TSA as far as adjusting to what it really takes to truly screen based on risk management.

I disagree with the naysayers that TSA can't make the change. They said the same thing about the organization I was a part of. But it takes a truly concentrated effort from the top down in order to make it work until it becomes a natural business practice.