Several people, both in these forums, and in the media, have proposed a screening system similar to that used by El Al, which includes a very thorough questioning, lots of cross-checking to see if an individual's answers contradict themselves, and other checks and procedures.

I've never personally flown El Al, but from what I was able to find, El Al's security procedures do not require passengers to submit to a shoe screening.

Yes, there are problems with the El Al system, most notably that it's very expensive to operate. I'd imagine that on a per passenger basis, it's more expensive than the TSA ... however, I think the TSA leadership could take some lessons from El Al, and work to actually improve security, rather than just putting window dressings up and ignoring the real problems.

(I have no gripe with the front line screeners who are just doing their job. I have a problem with the management who is instituting the stupid policies to be carried out, and not standardizing across the nation (which, I thought, the TSA was supposed to solve))