I posted over in newstand a couple of days ago, but felt the content may be more appropriate here in light of the disaster the TSA has become. Yes, there are good TSA stations, but there is the other side, and no consistency in-between.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/12/.../security.html
Setting aside "airline screening" (aka the interview process) which is done by Airline Security of US Airlines at many Airports Overseas as required by the FAA/DHS, there is a significant difference between the US, Europe, and Asia when it comes to screening checkpoints. I don't know about others, but in the UK, The Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, and several other European nations, it is much more relaxed in my experience. I think some German airports like FRA may be the exception.
This article talks about a two week course many European screeners must take, called "Security with a Smile" -- per the article, this ensures the airport screening staff behave as part of the airport customer service team.
I say the TSA takes this two week course; Many of the screener's could really use it.
Many airports in Europe "make sure their screeners take a two-week course called 'security with a smile,' which encourages security personnel to behave as part of the airport customer service team, rather than as cops," said a senior international security official who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of his position. "The entire feel at most European airports is that screening personnel are professional and vigilant."
.... <content clipped> ....
Anju Ali, a newspaper editor from India who is living in Wisconsin, says she is often pulled aside and given a more thorough search than other passengers during airport screenings in the United States.
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"I was told by one security agent that I get this special treatment because 'some people with your last name have done some pretty bad things,"' she said.
I suppose Muhhamad Ali, the famous boxer, is a "bad person too" for sharing the same last name?
SDF_Traveler