Wouldn't even have to work at all.

Just has to be sufficiently profitable for the right folks.

Sigh.

Yet another idea to waste millions of $ fighting a boogeyman. A well-reasoned idea, and yet still yet another waste.

Only a really dumb terrorist would try to get a weapon directly through the checkpoint. A WTMD and baggage x-ray will catch those dumb terrorists. Anyone more sophisticated will use any of dozens of much easier ways to smuggle in an explosive.

So why are planes not blowing up? Could it be that... just maybe... there are not terrorists around every corner?

Two (barely) credible "attacks" in ten years. And we spend billions each year to implement methods that do not make even those few attacks less likely.

There are so many better ways to use that money. Even directly related to travel.

With those billions wasted, we could easily - easily - install breathalyzer-based ignition locks in the cars of EVERY convicted drunk driving offender. A conservative estimate is that such a move would save about 3900 lives each year! And, shockingly, it would be less damaging to civil liberties...

No, the real point to all of this is a disgusting truth: The TSA gauntlet is not, in any way, about saving lives. It is about bureaucracy protecting itself at any cost. And it is just as much about the cowardice of a society past its prime.

why not just tattoo a bar code on everyone's forehead at birth, simple bar code readers at each checkpoint - no need for clerks at all...

I think that statement is essential to understanding how the public perceives air travel. While risk is extremely low, people still possess an illogical fear of all things aviation. These same people can then ignore legitimate risks in other areas of life. This all attests to how humans are unable to logically access risk. Sadly this deficiency is too often exploited.

Nah...they'd still have to grope your hairline to make sure you hadn't had a face transplant...

If this Dennis Green person shows up at the checkpoint with an ID document, who is he?

Dennis Green the former Minnesota Vikings coach?

Or Dennis Green the Australian Olympic canoer?

Maybe Dennis Green, the General Manager, Jazz 88.3 KCCK?

Or Dennis Green the Hollywood camera and electrical contractor?

There are 997 people in the USA named Dennis Green. So how do you REALLY tell that someone whose ID document says they're "Dennis Green" is "who they say they are"?

But mostly, yeah, what MDtR-Chicago said. ^

Protip: Try reading chollie's post immediately after watching "Repo! The Genetic Opera".

You'll like it, promise.