Stupid question, perhaps...but what do you think?

Interesting question -- My views:

Certainly, the TSA has had a negative effect on the aviation industry. You can derive all sorts of anecdotal evidence here on FT that, I dare say, is representative of the population as a whole:

• Some people have stopped flying altogether
• Many (including me) have significantly moved out their personal drive/fly perimeter
• Some of us are taking other forms of public transportation
• Some of our foreign friends have stopped flying to the US

Since the TSA or their parent, DHS, is not a stakeholder in the viability of the airline industry, they basically don't care. As a matter of fact, the TSA mission is complete if the whole airline industry goes under and nobody is flying -- kinda' like cancer cells that declare victory when they have killed their host, only to die themselves.

I would say that the TSA has caused a shift in the economy away from the airline industry into other industries. These days, there are other factors having a much more significant impact on the economy. Most people made up their minds long before the ID checking idiocy, so I doubt that this stunt, in and of itself, has had a measurable effect. Most of the damage was done with the Shoe Fetish, theft from baggage, and the War On Shampoo.

But, one thing I WILL say with complete certainty is that the TSA has not HELPED the economy!

I'm driving to ORD vs flying from OMA because of the hastle.

I'll be saving about $400 (total with 3 traveling), but not dealing with the airpressure of going through the lines, ID check and other bs.

that's optional travel however. I don't know what the larger economic effect it has.

Employing the poorly skilled.... Pos for economy.
Spending butt loads of money on poorly designed equipment... Pos for short term economy. Neg for National Debt.
Increase in sales of micro-sized body-wash positive.
Loss of sales at SAMS/COSTCO negative. Net neutral.

It could go on, but I'll revert to the original serious question.

I wonder if the hastle of flying hasn't cut down on the most lucrative trips of all. Last minute business. We're seeing even more nit-pickey fees, sur-charges, etc. heaped upon the traveler because revenue is down when costs are up. If we had a more open ability to travel by air, more would be traveling by air. Of course, accessing stats regarding travel would help clarify the situation.

Well, if you listen to media these days you will learn that pretty much anything that will fit in the space allocated ot a headline is going to spell doom of the US economy, so I would say that if it suits your motives, you can safely say that the TSA has a huge negative impact on that US Economy as well and will probably lead us to lows not seen since the great depression.

Any time you have the government confiscating more of your money for dubious screening techniques (such as ID checks), and you increase the hassles/uncertainty to the traveler, you impact the economy: a) because you're spending more money on Government that you could spend elsewhere, and b) because you spend less on airline and airport goods.

I would write the Airport Authorities in Chicago and Omaha, the FSDs in both cities and your favorite carrier to let them know how much money they are losing out on because of the TSA.

Affecting the bottom line is the only way they would get the message.

Here's an answer for you.

The national debt combined with trade deficit are two root reasons the US economy is in the crapper (IMHO). It could be said the weak economy, the weak USD, and high oil prices are a threat to the well-being of this nation.

The cost of the DHS (which didn't exist pre-Bush II), which includes the TSA, is just putting the country further and further into debt. Add in the cost of the wars we are fighting and the debt just skyrockets.

There is a lot more looking at the big picture, but the national debt plays are large role.

...sorry, but a pet peeve of mine - the US national debt per capita (only fair way to measure) is 16th in the world:
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ec...nal-per-capita

..now that you know Switzerland is 5 times the US...what else could be the problem....

I have some ideas but lets hear some.

This 'tax' on the economy is what I call the Bin Laden tax...they must be very proud that it probably exceeded their wildest goal.

Our driving vs flying distance for office travel has grown over the years for many reasons but not the least of which is TSA problems and unpleasantness.

300 miles is now a driving distance for us (one way) for a trip. We can fly if we can justify doing so, but most of us are driving.

We very seldom fly within Texas any more. The exception is El Paso from the DFW area. Darn far!

How many flights a year are lost to the airlines? Hard to say, but plenty!