I have to say that I'm getting more and more frustrated with the inconsistent and ridiculous policies that the TSA is establishing. With all the money getting generated by the security fees, why not simply mimic the security model employed by Israel, Amsterdam, LGW, or the like. I've been to each of those places multiple times and they all have pretty strong security.

All these TSA rules are so easy to get around and the enforcement is so inconsistent, it's simply mind-numbing. The rules are obviously created by people who don't travel much, have no ideas about airport security, but feel that by imposing stupid and needless rules that we will all 'feel' safer without actually being safer. A couple key points:

First, the lighter / matches ban can never be enforced. Anyone can keep them in their pants pocket and they will go undetected. And why suddenly do it more than 3 years after the incident??

Second, x-ray machines were not actually designed to detect explosives, but rather to detect the appearance of something strange that may be an explosive. Removing our shoes and putting them on the x-ray machine is simply a waste of time (and its enforced so inconsistent it's ridiculous)...some require it while others don't.

Third, where is all this money going, especially if they are privatizing the security again? Simple answer - more bureaucracy and red tape!

To those TSA agents that are currently monitoring this thread...sorry for the flame. Nothing personal. I'm just getting increasingly frustrated by the administration's lack of real action and consistently creating rules that simply give the image that we are safer without actually making us safer.

It will only stop when pressure comes to bear, such as the formation of a FF PAC as suggested in another thread or when the media gets involved.

I'd love to see an investigative unit from one of the NYC television stations go to EWR to document on film the "sock hop" and the retaliatory secondary screenings; send reporters undercover through the security line - one taking off his/her shoes and complying with the screeners demands; one wearing "airport friendly" shoes and refusing to remove them - do this time and again, documenting the outcome each time. Then show the report on the evening news.

That's what's going to make it stop.

I had similar feelings when I read about the lighter/match ban and how it related to the "shoe bomber" back in 11/01. It took them three years to figure this out and do something about it?

The shoes has been a nagging pet peeve of mine for just the reasons you mentioned -- esp. the inconsistency across airposrts and even within the same check points. Although, I must admit that they have been more consistent in strongly encouraging everyone to put their shoes thru x-ray (unless you want the patdown).

Further, they are considering returning back to private services with TSA oversight? That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling.

As much as I would like to see the shoe carnival stopped, it will not happen that way. All the media will do is see the shoe enforcement at the checkpoints be enforced, talk to the local TSA PIO, maybe compare notes with the TSA in DC, and all they are going to do is back up the local FSD, and that will be the end of the story.

Sure, stations could go to other airports, but that would cost money. And local TV stations will not fork over the dough, yet this is not a story CNN or MSNBC would tackle.

The only reason that the breast-fondling was brought about was becuase it was that...involving breasts. And as we know, that's sexual...and on TV, that sells, you don't need experience in the media to know that. There's nothing sexy about shoe removal, ergo nothing will be done.

I could possibly see a health angle, especially walking on floors where airport employees are never required to remove shoes. But the source of illness is hard to prove, especially since we all jump into a germ factory such as an airplane immediately after going through "security."

Again, as much as I would like to see some expose about this, it won't happen. There will be some news about the lighter enforcement, but that's because it directly affects many people, especially with it being such a vice.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. Eventually I think the pendulum is going to swing far enough that most of the "anything for security" lunatics will change their tune. They're the squeaky wheels that are getting all the grease right now; eventually these know-nothings will get fed up with all of the window dressing they demanded.

Either that, or we've got to get organized and start putting a lot of pressure on the system. The airlines are afraid that the government will try to make them look unpatriotic if they dissent (because dissenting against The Party is unpatriotic), so they've been keeping their mouths shut and putting up with this crap. The onus is on us, it would seem.

Never underestimate the power of humor and ridicule. I think it is great whenever a late night talk show host kicks the TSA in a monologue. I'd also like to see some of the more edgy commentators out there like Dennis Miller/Bill Maher/Penn & Teller/John Stossel etc weigh in on airline security.

It's all hearts and minds. We here in this forum know how ridiculous the system is, all that's left is pointing out the absurdity to a mass audience.

I am just thankful that Richard Reed (or whatever the "shoe-bomber's" name is) didn't try to hide any explosives in his underwear...........