If liquids are a threat, why are ANY allowed in? What's to stop, Bill, Ted, and Mary Jane from combining their 3.4 ounces into something harmful?
It's a balance between security and allowing people to have some ability to carry-on items. Well now Bill, Ted, and Mary Jane all have to work together to carry out their plan. That makes it more difficult. You can nit pick at every rule, such as why 3.4 ounces, but there have to be parameters around things. The rules strike a balance between security concerns and the ability of a business/leisure traveller to pack enough in a carryon to get through a 4 day trip.
What are the health risks of walking bare-foot through security?
Have you heard of a massive increase in serious diseases when the shoe regulations came in to play? No? Me either.
How attentive could TSA be working all the OT they are working?
Gone to a hospital lately? Do you think the doctor visiting you works 5 8 hour shifts??
Why isn't 100% of the cargo being screened?
Probably cost is my guess. Keeping the cabin secure is more about stopping the plane from turning into a missile. Bad as it sounds, killing the 100 people on board is not nearly as consequential as killing thousands in a building.
How much money could be saved (TSA man hours) if shoes/laptops didn't have to be screened separately.
It really doesn't slow me down any, so I'm not sure. There are valid reasons why they search laptops. Don't forget to balance out those costs. That said, taking my shoes on and off and taking out my laptop is not a rate taking step for me. It takes me less than a minute to put a laptop back in and put my shoes back on. Taking them out and off happens while im in a lineup anyways.
Why do laptops need to be screened separately, but not other devices?
Other electronic devices such as DVD players, game machines, etc, do have to be screened as well.
Why do FAM's stick out like sore thumbs?
The short haired guy flying up front but not having a beer? A FAM? Naw. It's a good point. They fly a lot and want to be comfy too I guess. One would think they could be more discreet though.