Originally Posted by
Blogndog
Found the study -- it's by Blalock, Garrick, Vrinda, Kadiyali and Simon, and published in the Journal of Law and Economics, November 2007. The authors' analysis demonstrates that every 1 million trips shifted from air to road travel results, on average, in 15 incremental deaths. By controlling for other factors -- weather, economics, etc. -- the authors were able to calculate the number of trips shifted from air to surface travel as a result of TSA harassment, and then apply the mortality factor to conclude that approximately 500 deaths a year are attributable to the TSA. In contrast, an average of about 18 deaths a year are attributable to air travel related terrorist activities in the USA. It can, of course, be debated if it's actually 400 or 600 rather than 500, but it is not possible to reasonably contest the fact that the TSA is responsible for a significant net increase in mortality rates.
Wait a sec - 18 deaths per year in air travel related terrorist activities in the US?
When did that happen, and why hasn't it been in the news?
Or, perhaps like TSA, the authors of the study used a ridiculously broad and nebulous definition of the term "terrorism" to include simple assaults, domestic violence, drunken/drugged behavior, and common "air rage" incidents, which are all crimes but definitely don't fit the definition of terrorism.
I'd love to see a list of these alleged air travel related terrorism deaths for the last five years or so. At an average of 18 per year, that would be about 90 deaths since 2009.