Study Says No Proof Airport Security Improves Safety

[safetymom]

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1198246100.html

I think many of us have mentioned this.

 

[jctwizzer]

Took a quick look at the article.....may be one of the dumbest, self serving
naive examples of journalism outside the NY Times or Orlando Sentinel..JMHO

 

[mgilmer]

I thought it was a pretty accurate article. Most business and other frequent travelers could easily tell you that the current security setup is just bread and circuses for the masses of sheeple. The real security put in place after 9/11 (fortified cockpit doors) solved most security problems. The article is right --if a terrorist wanted to suicide bomb a plane he could just hide the plastic explosive in his underwear.

 

[CarolA]

Took a quick look at the article.....may be one of the dumbest, self serving
naive examples of journalism outside the NY Times or Orlando Sentinel..JMHO

The truth can be painful.

If you can find any proof that the "excerise" we call security helps let me know...

However considering that the TSA cannot SEE a bomb when they are (A) WARNED the test is coming and (B) TOLD what the tester will be wearing pretty much tells me that it's useless!!!

Are we safer now? Sure, but is it due to the TSA. IMHO probably not. It's due to reinforced doors on the cockpit and the REAL law enforcement not the "rent a jerks" hired by the TSA.

 

[cocoswife]

The truth can be painful.

If you can find any proof that the "excerise" we call security helps let me know...

However considering that the TSA cannot SEE a bomb when they are (A) WARNED the test is coming and (B) TOLD what the tester will be wearing pretty much tells me that it's useless!!!

Are we safer now? Sure, but is it due to the TSA. IMHO probably not. It's due to reinforced doors on the cockpit and the REAL law enforcement not the "rent a jerks" hired by the TSA.

I have been working for an airline for the past 17 1/2 years and I completely agree with this statement. TSA is a joke, it's only there to provide a false sense of security. It is insane when you think of all the $$$$ that this fake security is costing us.

 

[goofy4tink]

The truth can be painful.

If you can find any proof that the "excerise" we call security helps let me know...

However considering that the TSA cannot SEE a bomb when they are (A) WARNED the test is coming and (B) TOLD what the tester will be wearing pretty much tells me that it's useless!!!

Are we safer now? Sure, but is it due to the TSA. IMHO probably not. It's due to reinforced doors on the cockpit and the REAL law enforcement not the "rent a jerks" hired by the TSA.

Have to agree. I do laugh though when I see the FA pull the snack cart across the aisle when someone from the cockpit has to get out and head to the 'facilities'. Does anyone really think that is going to stop someone who really wants into the cockpit?
But, the new reinforced, locked doors do make me happy..much more so than the 'taking off my shoes' thing at the terminal security line!

 

[snowbunny]

Most business and other frequent travelers could easily tell you that the current security setup is just bread and circuses

So true. It's nothing but window dressing.

 

[Brer Chump]

You can replace the words airport security and TSA in the article and this thread with Disney Security and also be correct.

Both are juicy terrorist targets too.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My husband and I were just discussing this last night. The funny thing is, the terrorist have gotten to us by failing. Some guy puts a bomb in his shoe and now we all have to take our shoes off in the security line. Some other creeps make a bomb with liquids and now we have to pack our liquids a certain way and we're stuck with buying expensive drinks after security instead of bringing our own.

So, you see? Their failed attempts at terrorizing us have worked afterall. If they really want to get to us, some guy will put a bomb in his pants next time. Can you see the sign now? "Please places all liquids in a 1 quart ziplock bag. Remove your shoes and your pants."

 

[drakethib]

Here is a story.

Won't say who this happened to but it is true.

After an evacuation due to hurricanes Rita a "friend of mine" put his pistol his computer bag along with a couple of extra loaded clips for the pistol.

When my friend returned home, he found that he was missing on of his clips for his pistol. After searching high and low, the clip was never found. Making the assumption the the clip may have fallen out of the PC bag during the evacuation he goes on with life.

My friend makes several trips flying each time and going through security with his trusty computer bag.

One day, maybe a year and a half later, after countless flights to different major cities (Chicago, Houston, Orlando,etc.) and many security screenings (you know, the kind where you put your computer bag through the xray machine) my friend is digging through his computer bag and finds the missing clip (full with ammo) in his bag.

The TSA has many opportunities to see that clip in the XRay machine, but it was never caught.

I know the TSA is doing what they can, but I believe most of it is a wasted effort.

 

[sanibelover]

Although the system isn't perfect and may not always work, I dare say that if we didn't have this system, we would all be alot less safe.............so guess there must be at least SOME evidence that the system works.

 

[CarolA]

My husband and I were just discussing this last night. The funny thing is, the terrorist have gotten to us by failing. Some guy puts a bomb in his shoe and now we all have to take our shoes off in the security line. Some other creeps make a bomb with liquids and now we have to pack our liquids a certain way and we're stuck with buying expensive drinks after security instead of bringing our own.

So, you see? Their failed attempts at terrorizing us have worked afterall. If they really want to get to us, some guy will put a bomb in his pants next time. Can you see the sign now? "Please places all liquids in a 1 quart ziplock bag. Remove your shoes and your pants."

And wait until the terorist invents "explosive clothing". Our "knee jerk" reaction Homeland Security will be "all passengers strip and fly naked"

ANY good control is PREVENTATIVE not "detective", the TSA missed that class so they just "react" in ways that reasoned experts keep proving are useless, but we just go along.

(Well actually I don't. I have told my elected officials that their failure to deal with this waste of my taxpayers means I am voting for the "other guys' next time!)

The system should be MUCH MUCH better.

Examples

The "puffer machines" DETECT explosives. (something that screener is NOT able to do, don't fool yourself there are LOTS of ways to get explosvies across that "control") HOwever, it has never been fully deployed and in some airports you get to PICK which machine you want!!! Let's see I am a terroirst playine with explosives so according to the TSA I will pick the puffer????

Experts agree the best place to find explosive residue... your shoes. So when you walk through the puffer machine where are your shoes???? On that belt where some guy trys to "see them"

 

[CPT Tripss]

Although the system isn't perfect and may not always work, I dare say that if we didn't have this system, we would all be alot less safe.............so guess there must be at least SOME evidence that the system works.

........if we didn't have this dysfunctional system, we might have a system that works. But hey, keep guessing there is evidence - I'm still waiting to see some.

 

[safetymom]

I have always said if they want to know what works and what doesn't is to ask frequent flyers.

I see all sorts of things that should be tightened up when I fly.

I don't feel any safer than I did before they started all these silly rules.