Originally Posted by rufus102
Well, I would never even try to say it's perfect - or even close - but it would certainly deter SOME from trying something, and you don't propose an alternative. You just complain about what is there. A vocal (small) minority you could say.
It might help if you suggested a reason why the goverment wants to harass us.
Two things: first of all, the chain is only as strong as its weakest link. There is no sense in doing these extremely invasive searches at great cost to the flying public, both in dollars and dignity, when much wider security holes remain unplugged. The plotters on 9/11 were excessively, amazingly, well-trained and well-prepared and well-informed about the security measures in place. To give a small example, people mention that less invasive screening is applied to airport concession workers. Thus, there is no point in applying any more invasive screening to passengers holding tickets, because any bad guy with any sense will just get a job in airport concessions.
I believe the reason the government wants to harass us at checkpoints is to make us feel better. To give the illusion of security. And also, to soften us up so that we won't fight the biggest proposed surveillance plan on law-abiding citizens ever - CAPPS II. The government background check trusted traveler plan that keeps resurfacing actually sounds good to me after what I've endured at checkpoints. Under normal circumstances I would never consider paying the government to give it a blank okay to create a dossier on me!