OK, I understand what you're getting at. I really do. But, isn't the TSA's purpose of an agency to SCREEN us for dangerous items? In the 1990's, nobody seemed to care if you were acting suspiciously at the airport, as long as you were screened. Everyone's different, and what is suspicious to someone may not be suspicious to others. How exactly do you constitute suspicious behavior?
Why is it even TSA's business of why someone is in a bad mood or stressed? Airports are stressful environment--so is travelling. This is not 1984 - this is America. We all have a right to not have to explain ourselves.
Please don't give us that "it's a different world after 9/11" crap... please give us an logical explanation WHY behavioral screening is so important, and how it prevents against a plane being taken down, as long as the person in question doesn't have any dangerous items? And, what does TSA consider suspicious behavior? Nervousness? Tics? People with OCD? People with other disorders or disabilities that doesn't make them look "sheep-like"? And, no, it's not SSI - or at least I hope not.
Originally Posted by
tmspa
It is important to understand someone's story when they are being screened due to heightened behavioral cues, regardless of destination. Any plane can be brought down in the U.S., whether it is a domestic flight or not.
Even though dangerous item are not present, other items that don't fit the person or their story might be. Also, even if there are not explosives or other suspicious items, what is their intent? It has been long discussed that one person could easily create a diversion or they could be covertly traveling with someone who is carrying the dangerous items.
Finally, there is always a reason that they are feeling stressed, legitimate or not. As several FTers have told me, if you haven't done anything wrong then you have nothing to worry about. Give the TSO your story, be as brief as you want while still conveying your point, and be truthful. Simple, minimal effort, and it shouldn't take much longer than any other additional screening might take you.