Originally Posted by
spd476
I think the TSA could change their policies without having to admit they were wrong. They could say something "consistent with the rest of the world, shoe explosives aren't a credible threat and shoes can remain on". Or "The liquid explosive threat isn't as viable as earlier thought, so we are allowing more liquids and larger sizes, such as water bottles". Imagine the good PR they would get by letting people bring a bottle of water through security. We would still be as safe.
On the other hand, after seeing the reaction to allowing small knives on board, I'm not sure if any change the TSA makes will be well received. There are still too many people who will do anything for safety. It would be nice to have some sanity when it comes to the TSA rules. I have a 4 oz bottle of liquid adhesive I use with my insulin pump. I could claim that as a medical liquid or throw it in my quart bag. All it's going to take is one TSA screener who won't listen or be reasonable and I will be forced to toss it. If it was 0.6 oz less, it suddenly isn't a threat.
One of the major problems with TSA is that passengers have no recourse when some screener makes some idiotic decision at the checkpoint. Example, a FT member had their nitroglycerin pills confiscated by TSA. The only reason for that to happen is because that screener and the supervisor had no idea of what they were doing. Even with this issue being reported after the fact TSA has failed to acknowledge the problem or to provide clear guidance on the TSA website. A member of the TSA Blog Team who posts here seems unable to admit that the TSA guidance on this point is lacking. TSA spends way to much energy telling the public such and such didn't happen instead of taking steps to make sure these things don't happen in the first place. If TSA employees are well trained then that training is how to be obnoxious bullies.
I personnaly do not believe that TSA serves the public well and simple steps could be taken to improve TSA. It is absolutely crazy that you even have to worry if TSA will allow the adhesive you use with the set for your pump. How does that serve the public good?