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Post: #2

Post 9/11, more than one journalist showed that the supposed increased security measures undertaken by the TSA were lax, in that they got all kinds of sharp items through either on their person or in carry-on bags. The problem that I found immediately is the inconsistency throoughout airports in the US. Things that Kennedy Airport allowed me to fly with, Phoenix SkyHarbour Airport said no to. I had some small scissors in a shaving kit that Kennedy confiscated (the agent said that because one of the blade tips was pointed, I couldn't take them through. If both tips had been rounded, they would have been okay). Then sometime later, a TSA agent says small, pointed scissors are okay. The same thing with liquids. At one point it was 4 ounces and under was okay. Then it becomes 3.4 ounces. Phoenix SkyHarbour took a 4 ounce bottle of TendSkin lotion from me, even though it was only half full with liquid. Also, the "random" additional screening isn't random at all. I got pulled aside on 3 or 4 consecutive trips for this random screening, so it was obvious to me it wasn't random. Actually, the last time I flew I forgot to take off my watch, which has a metal bracelet band, and it didn't set off the detector either.

The only issue I take with his opinion is the premise that because something has never happened, it can't or won't happen. At some point, someone WILL attempt to bring explosives through a US airport. You can't base the reason for not taking certain preventive measures on that reasoning. If you asked anyone before 9/11 if that scenario could have happened the way it did that day, most would have said HELL NO, NOT TO US, NOT THAT WAY. We got lax on the most basic measures, and got hit. I like that he highlighted a basic flaw in the body scanner, but using Ben Gurion was also disengenious. They employ multiple physical checkpoints within the airport, and additional random checks by armed personnel within the airport. They would never abandon that for just having you pass through ONE machine, because of the constant high threat level in that part of the world. They do what they do out of experience and necessity, and I don't imagine anything can beat multiple physical checks. In '09 when I was returning from Merida, Mexico, we got shuttled on the tarmac to another terminal at Mexico City Benito Juarez Airport, where our bags were checked before we could enter the airport and go through regular security. Then, right at my gate another bag check was set up so after the agent scanned your boarding pass, you had to lay your bags out again for another check before entering the jetway. I've never seen or experienced that before anywhere. But I understand the necessity. I just think you can't rely totally on a machine - you have to still do physical checks with wands, etc.