Originally Posted by Boggie Dog (Post 15107585)

I think you missed one step in your summary.

First you will inspect your bag for contraband.......

Originally Posted by FriendlySkies (Post 15106545)

Careful, Ryan Air might get a new idea ;)

Originally Posted by Ellie M (Post 15105947)

Passengers checking their own bags strikes me as a huge security hole. Particularly if TSA is not properly screening all these checked bags. ;) It shows the problem with too much emphasis on reaction to past events rather than real safety concerns.

When I worked at the airport, many years ago, pre-TSA, people would try and check all sorts of dangerous goods, such as camp stoves that had fuel in them. Without a human being who is aware of what items are dangerous in checked baggage and has the ability to notice that there is a likelihood of such items (such as by seeing a passenger leaving on a camping trip and asking whether they packed a camp stove) a lot of dangerous items could inadvertently get through.