I wouldn't poo-poo SPOT as a valid technique. As for the article, yeah, TSA went into PR-overload and made it bigger than it should have been. However, the basic facts are that the techniques worked as far as detecting a person who was acting suspiciously. And that's about it.

I believe that SPOT ought to be something that is much more subtle and should be trained to all TSOs not just a "select few." The technique is effective when it is incorporated into the routine rather than made into a big special deal.

It's a lot like the old country boy who went on a double date with his city friend. After dinner, they went to Lover's Lane, and the first thing the country boy did was ask his date if she wanted to have sex. Of course, that ended the evening right then and there. His friend later told him that he needed to develop a smoother approach, start up a conversation on something of common interest, and, if he played his cards right, perhaps he could get "lucky." Well, they soon went on another double date, and the country boy asked his date if she liked green apples. She rolled her eyes and said she didn't care for them. Then the country boy asked, "does this mean we're not going to have sex?"

TSA should refrain from asking about green apples.