TSA airport screeners’ ability to detect weapons declared “pitiful” by David Kravets.
From the post:
US lawmakers and federal watchdogs on Tuesday derided the Transportation Security Administration’s ability, or lack thereof, to adequately detect weapons and other contraband during the passenger screening process at the nation’s airports.
“In looking at the number of times people got through with guns or bombs in these covert testing exercises it really was pathetic. When I say that I mean pitiful,” said Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), speaking Tuesday during a House Oversight hearing concerning classified reports from federal watchdogs. “Just thinking about the breaches there, it’s horrific,” he added.
Auditors from the Inspector General’s Office, posing as travelers, discovered enormous loopholes in the TSA’s screening process. A leaked classified report this summer found that as much as 95 percent of contraband, like weapons and explosives, got through during clandestine testings. Lynch’s comments were in response to the classified report’s findings.
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David cites the testimony of Inspector General John Roth and testimony from Jennifer Grover of the General Accounting Office, both of which detail the appalling depth of TSA incompetence.
A new TSA administrator is quoted as saying the agency is undertaking a “full system review.”
With a 95% failure rate after being in operation for fourteen (14) years (as of November 19, 2015) the time for a “full system review” has long past.
At a 95% failure rate, abolishing the TSA won’t increase risks to passengers and will in fact save $billions in lost time due to airport security delays.
However, airport security is a well-heeled business and is firmly entrenched.
The best option is to start a #WontFlyList in the social media of your choice and ask frequent and infrequent flyers to volunteer what trips they won’t be taking until ineffectual airport security is removed.
Don’t limit the list to removing the TSA because it will just change its name. No, airport security must be in the hands of the airlines and as minimal as possible.
Threatened with financial ruin, the airlines will activate their lobbyists and circles of friends in Congress. Much more likely to eliminate the TSA root and branch.
My attention was first drawn to David’s article by a tweet from Cory Doctorow.