How long will TSA be around? Forever?
Dec 19, 2006, 4:29 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
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Now this is what I would like to see happen. No reason to focus just on the TSA, but risk avoidance at any cost is really the name of the game here. Coupled with some economic stimulation through the 21st century WPA, both DHS and TSA are likely here to stay.
Dec 19, 2006, 10:39 pm
#19
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Dec 20, 2006, 2:46 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ?
Posts: 7,544
There's big money, and there are plenty of votes, in fear. Just look at your average local evening newscast. This is something the makers of WTMDs, surveillance cameras, internet filtering software, "America's Most Wanted", you name it, figured out a long time ago. Of course, I'm preaching to the choir here.
Dec 20, 2006, 3:11 pm
#21
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,716
You were going through the same process (except for the liquid/gel thing) long before 9/11 and you'll be going through it long after. Whether the TSA does it or someone else it will be the same thing. We're not going to trust individuals to not bring prohibited items on board or to screen themselves.
Dec 20, 2006, 3:29 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,725
Prior to 9/11 I did not have to remove any common daily-use items from my bags or person before traveling carry-on only (e.g., pen knife, small screwdrivers which were prohibited for a while, and now the silly war on water). Prior to 9/11 I never recall stripping off any item of clothing (shoes, coat, jacket, seater) to pass a checkpoint. And though I flew much less then, prior to 9/11 I do not recall ever being concerned about running into a power-tripping screener (in the USA).
IMO it will take a visionary government-slashing President the likes of which we haven't elected since the early 80s, to abolish the TSA. Replacing TSA with a sane security mechanism will be another giant leap beyond abolition.
And even with that type of administration it will be hard. It seems unlikely that the West will succeed in pacifying (radical) Islam any time soon (especially since governments still refuse to explicitly identify the enemy out of PC fears). By the time that happens (if ever), it is likely that so many of our freedoms will be gone that nobody will miss them or remember the "good old days" when you could leave your bedroom without "implying consent" to arbitrary search, move about the country while carrying everyday useful items, and travel without being subjected to papers-please checkpoints and arbitrary secret blacklists.
Dec 20, 2006, 4:01 pm
#23
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Dec 20, 2006, 5:52 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: HHonors Diamond, AA Platinum
Posts: 7
How many government agencies have ever gone away?
How many government agencies have ever gone away? Seriously, I can't think of a single one. If history is any indicator, not only will the TSA be around for the rest of our lives, it will get bigger and become even more obtrusive.
Should the need for it decline (e.g. if radical fundamentalism is wiped from the face of the earth) then the TSA will pursue new responsibilities in an effort to maintain relevance and protect their jobs. It's the nature of government agencies ...
Should the need for it decline (e.g. if radical fundamentalism is wiped from the face of the earth) then the TSA will pursue new responsibilities in an effort to maintain relevance and protect their jobs. It's the nature of government agencies ...
Dec 20, 2006, 6:30 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 172
Welcome to Flyertalk!
[[/B]
I wish I could say that your post is a load of crap, but I have to be honest...
your post is 100% spot on correct! I wish it weren't the case, but we
all know you're right.
I hope you post additional comments on other threads; you very first post is very insightful and the best I've seen for any newcomer on this message board.
How many government agencies have ever gone away? Seriously, I can't think of a single one. If history is any indicator, not only will the TSA be around for the rest of our lives, it will get bigger and become even more obtrusive.
Should the need for it decline (e.g. if radical fundamentalism is wiped from the face of the earth) then the TSA will pursue new responsibilities in an effort to maintain relevance and protect their jobs. It's the nature of government agencies ...
Should the need for it decline (e.g. if radical fundamentalism is wiped from the face of the earth) then the TSA will pursue new responsibilities in an effort to maintain relevance and protect their jobs. It's the nature of government agencies ...
I wish I could say that your post is a load of crap, but I have to be honest...
your post is 100% spot on correct! I wish it weren't the case, but we
all know you're right.
I hope you post additional comments on other threads; you very first post is very insightful and the best I've seen for any newcomer on this message board.
Dec 20, 2006, 11:33 pm
#26
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 264
Now that cockpit doors are essentially impenetrable and flight-crew protocols prevent a hijacker from taking control of a plane, I see no fundamental reason why airplanes need to be any safer than, say, shopping malls. Therefore, I would have no more "security" than exists at a typical shopping mall. I might actually dismantle the whole airport apparatus, except for the x-ray machines, and rely on FAMs to provide security in the air. I would continue to x-ray checked baggage for bombs. The rest is unnecessary.
Bruce
Bruce
Boooooy, that is real smart... Are you a brain surgeon? Hope not...
Dec 20, 2006, 11:39 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 264
The TSA is the goverment's ultimate dog and pony show. In reality it does very, very little to stop terriorists. Most of their job should be done with technology that offers ease of use and very unobtrusive in nature. Unfortunately, there is no politican alive that would suggest that we do away with nearly strip searching granny at the security point or even allow us to travel again with enough tioletries to sustain us for more than one day (anyone who can survive on what you can place in a baggy for several days would to me have hygiene that is somewhat suspect).
In other words, the TSA, or some other version thereof, will not be going away in my lifetime.
In other words, the TSA, or some other version thereof, will not be going away in my lifetime.
Dec 20, 2006, 11:44 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 264
You patronize the airlines not TSA... No different than coming in from an International flight and going thru Customs... You are still patronizing the airlines not US Customs...
Dec 21, 2006, 12:06 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: AA PLT; UA Gold
Posts: 5,378
You really don't get it, do you. We pay a per-ticket tax, and federal income tax, that pays your salary. You better believe we're patronizing the TSA. The extreme lack of customer service attitude that you exhibit in your every post, and your signature line, is exactly why the TSA needs to be disbanded and returned to private hands.