I saw Michael Boyd on CNN, and he made a lot of sense in warning us that we're now WORSE off than because this legislation was passed. I did some research on the web, and ended up at http://www.aviationplanning.com . This is some of the stuff that as a frequent flyer I am truly afraid of.

A New Screening Boss. Oops, No, It's Same One, Actually. The DOT gets immediate oversight of screening. Oh, great! Via the FAA, it's these incompetents who have oversight right now. As soon as this bill is signed, the airlines will no longer be the de facto employers of screening companies. The DOT will be the employer, for a year or so while they "train" a federal force. Right now, when a security failure occurs, the FAA/DOT makes a big PR stunt out of it, blaming the big bad airlines. As of next week, it'll be the DOT that will have the responsibility. Guess what we'll hear when failures occur, as they will, after next week? Nothing, because it'll be the full responsibility of the DOT. The FAA/DOT have no historical scruples about covering things up. Even things that have killed people. [My note: the FAA never took any action as a result of GAO surveys showing that guns were successufly smuggled through the security; now these guys are in charge.]

Assigning Training To An "F" Student. And we can really look forward to these new Federalized screeners. First, the legislation has no discussion of what the "training" really must be, what the real standards must be, and - importantly - what the accountability will be. So, we can expect the usual fine work done by the DOT. And let's remember, it's the FAA/DOT who is two years beyond a Congressional mandate to impose basic standards for baggage screening. Sloppy work is not an impediment to career growth in Washington. Obviously, it makes no difference to Congress either.

Yeah, But We Can Fire These Federal Employees. Join us in the real world. First, that assumes the there will be competent supervision of airport security - which, for the record, there won't be. Second, take a look at the rest of the government, the standards will be so sloppy that nobody'll get canned for anything short of a serial murder. (In two years - write this down - national media will be doing investigative reports on this.) And finally, this part of the legislation will last only until a union grievance is filed, or somebody takes it to court. Don't believe it - nobody will get fired in these jobs. Heck, look at the crummy job done by Jane Garvey. If she gets away with it, the worst baggage screener can plan on a long career and a cushy retirement.

Screening All Checked Luggage - A Big Time Placebo. And, in a bold courageous move, the House made sure that all bags will be screened for explosives by 2003. Nobody asked if it can be done. Nobody asked if we have the right equipment, which, of course, we don't. Earlier article.

No Accountability. Since 9/11, Norman Mineta and Jane Garvey have never been held accountable for the security mess. They are above it all. Here's the point: this legislation institutionalizes the cover-up of the massive negligence of the FAA/DOT before 9/11 and since. It's like putting Bonnie & Clyde in charge of bank security.

Overall, this legislation is absolute dishonest garbage. It will not make us more safe, because it intentionally covers-up and protects the people whose negligence helped make 9/11 possible.