WSJ.com - Air-Security Proposals Should Be Made Quickly
Jul 31, 2004 | 11:17 am
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WSJ.com - Air-Security Proposals Should Be Made Quickly
See http://www.emailthis.clickability.co...ToID=721410087
Excerpts:
As the commission points out, the Transportation Security Administration is focused on fighting "the last war." "The current efforts do not yet reflect a forward-looking strategic plan systematically analyzing assets, risks, costs and benefits," the commission's final report said. "Lacking such a plan, we are not convinced that our transportation security resources are being allocated to the greatest risks in a cost-effective way."
At the airports, though, the commission did recommend some important changes -- changes that should be quickly made.
Security screeners are still hunting sharp objects. But sharp objects aren't likely to enable a terrorist to commandeer a plane today because of hardened cockpit doors and far more vigilant passengers and crews. Meanwhile, we aren't doing enough to screen for bombs. While we scan checked luggage for plastic explosives, we don't scan carry-on luggage. While we X-ray shoes for bombs, we don't check people. Odds are the next bomber wouldn't be a shoe bomber but a belly bomber.
Excerpts:
As the commission points out, the Transportation Security Administration is focused on fighting "the last war." "The current efforts do not yet reflect a forward-looking strategic plan systematically analyzing assets, risks, costs and benefits," the commission's final report said. "Lacking such a plan, we are not convinced that our transportation security resources are being allocated to the greatest risks in a cost-effective way."
At the airports, though, the commission did recommend some important changes -- changes that should be quickly made.
Security screeners are still hunting sharp objects. But sharp objects aren't likely to enable a terrorist to commandeer a plane today because of hardened cockpit doors and far more vigilant passengers and crews. Meanwhile, we aren't doing enough to screen for bombs. While we scan checked luggage for plastic explosives, we don't scan carry-on luggage. While we X-ray shoes for bombs, we don't check people. Odds are the next bomber wouldn't be a shoe bomber but a belly bomber.
