Debates about the FAM program belong in another thread altogether. ;)

And absolutely no reports of a credible attempt to actually blow a plane up that have originated from American soil...

TSA is much ado about nothing. I contend that we would be just as safe by going back to private security, using only WTMD and ETD. If all people (including every TSA Clerk) were screened every time they entered the "secure" area then maybe TSA would have a valid point about adding something to security. But when their employees represent just as large a security risk to the "secure" area as a terrorist on any given day, there's not much room to talk.

Let's start ignoring the threats, and only doing something when evidence is encored that there is actually a credible threat. And while we're at it, let's stop violating civil rights of ordinary citizens who just want to get onto a plane and fly somewhere to visit someone.

And IMO the entire cost of TSA should be borne by the airlines and airports themselves. Airlines are getting a completely free ride here - prior to 9/11 they had to pay for private security companies out of their ticket prices. After 9/11 they're left not having to pay much (if anything at all), yet ticket prices haven't gone down as a result. Why should airlines get to pocket the extra cash?

Of course, the public would be much better served by simply abolishing TSA in the first place. Based upon the myriad of reports about assault, theft, theft rings, and other crimes committed by TSA's employees they seem to on the whole create a much bigger security risk in the airports than they mitigate.