Originally Posted by
RadioGirl
+1
To call it a "sterile" area and then differentiate on the basis of flying or "working" is ridiculous. Imagine a "sterile" operating theater where people had to wear masks and scrub their hands if they're observing the surgery but not if they're "working." Germs are germs, regardless of whether someone is working or not. People are people and can take Bad Things into the "sterile" area, regardless of whether they're working or not.
Exactly. To continue the analogy, the workers are likely much more "germ-y" than the average passenger, despite their initial "rigorous screening." They are allowed to bring in satchels full of manure, while everybody else is limited in their quantity of carp (yes, intentional, filter in place) that enters the OR.
What's worse, is that a TSA agent could be "conditioned" to accept the bribe, with the person saying it is weed or something like that (and it is, the first few times.) TSA agent figures it is an easy way to make $1000.
Then one day it is PETN.
Screeners should be screened. Pilots should be screened (sorry, guys). Frequent flyers should be screened. But, the screening should be reasonable.
It doesn't have to be a cavity search, but it should take place and is a relatively easy, common-sense way to close a huge security hole.