Originally Posted by PatrickHenry1775
For what seems like the millionth time, I am in favor of non-intrusive screening for EVERYONE, Americans, Canadians, British, French, Spanish, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, etc. TSA and DHS should spearhead development of technology that can quickly detect actual threats to airliners, specifically explosives and firearms. The WTMD takes care of firearms, and puffer-type machines should prevent the introduction of completed explosives.
Now that's a statement I can agree with. Let's also not leave out the cargo hold.
Given that our resources for screening are limited, doesn't it make sense to concentrate those resources on individuals, such as those from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, etc., who are members of the groups that are the perpetrators of terrorism? Again, all passengers must be screened, but the intrusive measures that take more time and hence cost more money should be reserved for those passengers who alarm the baseline screening methods and those who are suspicious.
TSA would argue this is already in place, and it's called Selectee Screening and the No-Fly List.
I would argue that if we take the measures you advocate in the first paragraph, these "intrusive measures" should be taken if there is an unresolvable alarm, without regard to the age, gender, or apparent nationality of the person involved.
But short of requiring a passport at each and every checkpoint, TSA is going to have no way of knowing if a pax on the Milwaukee to Chicago milk run is from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the Phillipines, Los Angeles, or down the street.