Originally Posted by
Superguy
...(Snippagio)...Things like drugs I think should be ignored. I don't think drugs are a good thing, but I think the line needs to be drawn there.
I have a harder time with finding the head, and honestly, I'm not sure where the line should be drawn. I mean, it's likely to be evidence of a murder. On the other hand, there would be a chance with the right lawyer and judge that the evidence could be quashed because it could be argued that the search turned criminal and violated the accused's 4th amendment rights and the guy could walk.
....So it really seems to me like it's lose/lose either way. It's an ethical conundrum at that point.
There is no easy answer to this.
The problem for a TSA employee and suspected drugs....
Aside from some state laws where possession of small amounts of drugs may be misdemeanor offenses, most state and federal statutes treat drug possession as a felony. A TSA (federal) employee who fails to report a felony may be guilty the ancient crime of "misprision", the failure of one not an accessory to report a serious crime (among other definitions). Of course, you as a private citizen are no less obligated to report felonies or the notify LEOs when suspecting one is likely/about to happen.
While I'm terribly uncomfortable with the TSA and many of its procedures, I long ago figured out that much of the effort is to convey to the "General Public" (who travel rarely, don't read Flyertalk, and are unlikely to engage in attempts at complex situational analysis) that it's safe to fly. Whether or not much of what TSA does makes flying safer is not the issue, but that an overwhelming majority of elected Congressfolk and Senators see the entire exercise as a successful cop-out which helps avoid/evade what is eventually going to be a far harsher level of "security".
It seems inevitable that one day soon, an individual or group, deranged or motivated by political issues, will attempt, hopefully unsuccessfully, some sort of attack on an a/c or a/c, either on the ground or in the air. Folks who use young women with Down's Syndrome to blow up crowded markets are likely candidates for even more barbaric and despicable acts. That's before you get to the potential of the outright crazies.
I don't think X-Raying flip flops helps, but I don't think Kip Hawley does either, but I suspect he knows that the steps which would be required to provide real "security" are beyond those FTers would tolerate without a lot more noise than we currently generate.