Originally Posted by
MikeMpls
On the one side of the table we have Spiff & pals. Now I happen to agree with you, but ...
On the other side of the table are the airlines, who were relieved of an enormous cost center by the creation of TSA after 9/11. The airlines' expenses for passenger screening are fixed at what they were paying then, and not adjusted for inflation. TSA also relieves the airlines of liability for failures in passenger screening. The airlines love TSA, not for what TSA does but for what the airlines don't have to provide and underwrite.
At the end of the day, which lobby will prevail? A bunch of the disgruntled passengers? Or the airlines, which will threaten economic disaster and failure if we return to the status quo before 9/11? In the end, an effective economic boycott of American airlines is the only protest that will work. As long as it hurts less to keep TSA, the airlines will ensure that TSA stays.
Very astute evaluation. ^
You can add free liability coverage and other special perks to the list.
Originally Posted by
MikeMpls
In the end, an effective economic boycott of American airlines is the only protest that will work. As long as the government subsidies (aka bribes) and special favors (aka exemption from TSA's most abusive practices) continue, the airlines will ensure that TSA stays.
I concur, but made a slight change for emphasis.