How the TSA beat fliers into submission
Jul 29, 2014, 2:54 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,690
^
Part of the problem is the general public not having the slightest clue about the actual risks of being in an air terrorism related incident. Even with 9/11 the chances of dying in a terrorism incident are incredibly small compared to so many other everyday things, including slips/falls at home, dog bites, heart disease, suicide, etc, etc...terrorism isn't even on the chart. Instead the emotionalism from 9/11 and a few other incidents is used/abused to make decisions and direct investment of tax dollars.
Then the same lack of evidence-based decision making infects the evaluation of what are the best methods to achieve the goal of safe air transport.
I'm not saying that no improvements could have been made since 2001, or that there should be "nothing done" to ward off air terrorism. But we weren't ignoring safety with the pre-9/11 procedures, nor is the post- 9/11 TSA environment necessarily doing the right or best things. It's disturbing that the public isn't questioning the TSA environment...I bet a lot more would do so if they really understood things.
Then the same lack of evidence-based decision making infects the evaluation of what are the best methods to achieve the goal of safe air transport.
I'm not saying that no improvements could have been made since 2001, or that there should be "nothing done" to ward off air terrorism. But we weren't ignoring safety with the pre-9/11 procedures, nor is the post- 9/11 TSA environment necessarily doing the right or best things. It's disturbing that the public isn't questioning the TSA environment...I bet a lot more would do so if they really understood things.
Jul 29, 2014, 3:30 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
It's funny how even a small shift in tone can make a difference. I was recently screened at Heathrow and I alarmed the metal detector. (I can always wear my belt in the US without it going off, but I forget that doesn't always work overseas).
The security screener politely says:
He proceeded to very politely describe where he would be doing, etc.
Can you ever imagine a TSA agent initiating a pat-down that way. It's always delivered instead with phrases like "You need to..." I think a mere change in tone could go a long way to improving security...it certainly made me want to cooperate more.
The security screener politely says:
He proceeded to very politely describe where he would be doing, etc.
Can you ever imagine a TSA agent initiating a pat-down that way. It's always delivered instead with phrases like "You need to..." I think a mere change in tone could go a long way to improving security...it certainly made me want to cooperate more.
That said, I have a total hip replacement that sets off the more sensitive metal detectors and have been frisked (groped as some of you call it, lol) many times and all of the TSA personnel that have frisked me have fully explained what they were about to do, asked me if I wanted a private screening, and been quite professional about it. Just my opinion though
Jul 29, 2014, 3:41 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,165
How the TSA beat fliers into submission
We also can't lose sight of the fact that they invited themselves into our trains, subways, buses, and interstate highway rest areas.
And we did nothing.
And we did nothing.
Jul 29, 2014, 4:25 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: ROA/SHD/LWB/CHO
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold, AA, DL
Posts: 234
I agree that it would improve the experience an average traveler has at security, but it would not improve the efficacy of security. It wouldn't decrease its efficacy either, but I thought that the point of the article was "the TSA is ineffective but has trained us to ignore that" and not "the TSA is unpleasant and unprofessional." Maybe both are true (I think that the second one certainly is, at least), but I don't think anyone's alleging that Congresspeople ought to come out against the TSA because they're surly and don't explain what they're doing.
Jul 29, 2014, 7:01 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 33
Random thoughts
I generally agree with the posters in this OP-ED.
My position goes even further:
- if I have been TSA Pre-checked, then I should be able to carry ANYTHING with me: AK-47, Chain Saw, Water, 10 laptops, a lighter, or whatever I want.
If my position sounds too extreme, just think of it: in a normal day of my life, I generally have the right to carry all of those things, legally, in most places. But I choose not too. I don't walk around in the streets of the city with a chain saw, nor do I carry an AK-47, I don't smoke, so I don't have a lighter.
If you can not trust the trusted travelers, then the trust is not worth a penny.
Mark my words: the next terrorist attack is not going to come from within an aircraft. It will come from outside of the aircraft.
My position goes even further:
- if I have been TSA Pre-checked, then I should be able to carry ANYTHING with me: AK-47, Chain Saw, Water, 10 laptops, a lighter, or whatever I want.
If my position sounds too extreme, just think of it: in a normal day of my life, I generally have the right to carry all of those things, legally, in most places. But I choose not too. I don't walk around in the streets of the city with a chain saw, nor do I carry an AK-47, I don't smoke, so I don't have a lighter.
If you can not trust the trusted travelers, then the trust is not worth a penny.
Mark my words: the next terrorist attack is not going to come from within an aircraft. It will come from outside of the aircraft.
Jul 29, 2014, 7:02 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 33
Jul 29, 2014, 8:59 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
I support the TSA fully, absolutely and completely with all my heart and soul. I don't ever want another 9/11. In my opinion, what happened on that day was our fault due to our lackadaisical attitude toward lives and safety. The problem has been rectified and I never want to go back.
Jul 29, 2014, 10:06 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
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Posts: 8,745
I support the TSA fully, absolutely and completely with all my heart and soul. I don't ever want another 9/11. In my opinion, what happened on that day was our fault due to our lackadaisical attitude toward lives and safety. The problem has been rectified and I never want to go back.
I guess when an aircraft is taken down by an anally implanted explosive, you will line right up before each flight for a manual anal cavity search?
Our forefathers are rolling in their graves as they read your post.