(I have been traveling a lot, so my response to Mr. Free Speech's quite interesting blog has been delayed.) He posed a question whether our government is wasting money on TSA, the Transportation Security Agency that is responsible for security in airlines and trains, but mostly aviation security. I travel quite frequently, and because we went through a tough horrific ordeal of terrorists’ attacks on September 11, 2001, I went along with the relief for temporary security when this agency was created. Do I feel secure now that we have the TSA? Some say that there have been failures of the airport screeners to detect bombs brought through security by TSA agents. In 2006, security screeners in Los Angeles were not able to identify 75 percent of fake bombs. Government federal screeners at the O’ Hare Airport failed to know 60 percent, a big majority of the components of these bombs! And you know what else? Private screeners in San Francisco Airport missed only 20 percent of the prospective bomb parts when the federal screeners failed 75 percent! But that is not the cream of the crop. My take is on the invasion of privacy when this screeners go too far in the course of so-called “I'm simply performing my duties” along with the theft of passenger possessions. And what about the mistreatment of airline passengers? If you are not a frequent flyer maybe you won’t notice other annoyances and simply complain about why do you have to go barefoot on cold ground for unnecessarily extended time as they make you take your socks off. Can't they put a small rug there, at least, so as not to shock your system? I'm still okay with that in exchange for the millions of lives that will be supposedly safer. What little sacrifice is what I always remind myself. But I wonder if they sell those passengers' possessions (very expensive perfumes because they are 0.1 ml higher than the required 3.5 oz, lotions, which caused me to travel very light now, I tell you) after they take them from passengers, and who profit from these sales? Where do the money go? No one is even investigating on this. As taxpayers, the whole operation of this multi-billion agency depends upon your money and my taxes!
The failure to use common sense and good judgment on the part of these airport screeners deserve scrutiny. Yes, we strongly agree with the government, and by all means, I am willing to cooperate. After all, I feel much safer now knowing that the screeners failed 20 of 22 undercover security tests, hence, missing numerous guns and bombs! Revealing the results of covert tests is against TSA policy. Is it worth continuing the existence of TSA? Hmmmn... something to ponder on.
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3 comments:
Wow, I didn't know those statistics! makes you really think..
I think one thing to consider is that TSA also just helps people feel safe, I know that doesn't mean they're safe, but so many people would rather not know the statistics. Sort of that don't ask don't tell idea.
I've definitely gotten irritated at the airport, especially when they make me take off flip flops that have no heal at all.
I'd also be interested in learning more about times when the airline staff takes it to far, or judge people.
Thanks for all this information!
O my gosh, yes, everyone is freaking out so much at the airport that they aren't even noticing the most important things. So focused on the rituals of taking off shoes, etc. I feel humiliated when I am rushed through the line where you have to put your carry-on items on the little rack and everyone is pushing behind you and its just a bad scene. The airport is somewhere where we don't really get to say whatever we want. There is no "free-speech zone" at the airport.
Marie I think you make a good point here...but TSA does post all their requirements on-line and they do update it regularly. As someone who does travel regularly (both in the US and internationally) I check their requirements list before going to the airport that way I am not stuck in a situation where something gets taken away from me.People need to take some responsibilities themselves and make sure that they are traveling within the regulations. Its honestly not that hard.
I was at the London Heathrow Airport a couple weeks ago and there was a man who ran through security and out onto a run way threatening to blow things up and let me tell you I was glad that there were security guards there. Its people like him (who claimed to have bombs in his sneakers)that are making security measures go so far.
As annoying as it is I'm not angry at the airports or TSA I'm angry with the people who make bombs in liquid and take it on planes, I'm angry with the people who try and take knives on planes...I'm angry with the select few who have ruined airline travels for many people.
That being said, I do not doubt that there are some security guards at airports that abuse their powers. Maybe they need to create some sort of check and balances for airport security.
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