I had the opportunity to contribute to some of the "tests" about 10 years ago. It was absolutely maddening. We were only allowed to "test" the passenger screening itself. Leaving a 'bomb' in the screening area wasn't allowed. Bypassing the checkpoint wasn't allowed. Driving onto the airfield wasn't allowed, even though at the test airport there was nothing except a simple motorized arm-gate preventing people from accessing it. Using an unconventional bomb wasn't allowed. A bomb/explosive/weapon which they provided HAD to be used in every test. We weren't allowed to provide our own improvised dummy explosives/weapons.

I hope the current testers are given more leeway.

At the same time, this all is a moot point. Cockpit doors are now reinforced, and passengers aren't going to take S*** from anyone who acts up. The basic weaknesses of 9/11 have been solved, none of it by TSA or TSA screening procedures.

A screening checkpoint with just an unstaffed WTMD, on the honor system, would work better than the TSA. You better believe other pax, especially <redacted by moderator>, would be giving the stink-eye to anyone who set off the WTMD and would be calling LEOs to investigate. The reduction in hassle and delays would be a huge boost to the airline industry, creating more jobs than lost by dissolving the TSA. We could then use the billions wasted on TSA to improve ATC and airport facilities, which would create even more, higher-paying jobs.