I can’t decide which of these are the most annoying:
- Inane carry-on rules for air travel that ban snow globes larger than a tennis ball.
- TSA staff creating inane rules to give the appearance of activity.
- A group as irrelevant to law enforcement or prevention of terrorism as the TSA exists at all.
During the summer, when I guess no one was looking, the TSA issued rules on snow globes in carry on luggage. TSA notes some new carry-on rules for the holidays by Mark Rockwell.
Fondling children is bad enough but now children will be forced to abandon their snow globes at security as well. That will be an experience to remember, being molested and robbed at the same airport.
I keep trying to think of ways that topic maps could be useful in public policy debates (and non-debates like airport security).
Here are my suggestions (please add yours):
- Airports, dates, names, and news coverage of TSA excesses.
- Known TSA policies and procedures, like the “behaviour watchers” who have yet to identify a single terrorist. Their watching also keeps pink elephants off planes so it may not be a complete waste.
- Possible attack vectors on airports and/or aircraft. The focus of the TSA on explosives is almost quaint. That is when they aren’t worried about death rays and other imaginary devices.
- Identifying TSA employees. It really isn’t the “TSA” that is fondling your child, its Mr./Mrs./Ms. *** of *** airport. Let put some accountability in place and not let them hide behind the TSA. For that matter, take photos of them as they arrive and leave from the airport. Public areas only.
I am sure I am missing a number of other opportunities to convince policy makers to free us from the charade called the TSA.
What do you suggest?