They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. – Benjamin Franklin, 1775
Disclaimer: this is a long post with lots of links that you might not find interesting.
I don’t know if you’ve been following the news lately, but there is a growing outrage to TSA screening policies that are currently being implemented. Why now I’m not sure, but I guess it is better late than never. In short, quite a few airline travelers are outraged by the new TSA policies that dictate they go through “advanced imaging devices” or “enhanced body searches.”
Advanced Imaging Technology Devices A.K.A. Body Scanners
The body scanners, namely the Backscatter machines, are highly controversial, but the TSA has basically met any arguments with “They are medically safe and the pictures aren’t stored.” Both claims have been proven if not outright false, at least potentially false. Basically, the documented case of hundreds of images captured by the devices operated by US Marshalls being leaked can provide a shadow of doubt to TSA claims that the images aren’t stored. The devices themselves are equipped to store the images, whether they actually do is up for debate. As for the medically safe claims, there are a growing number of medical professionals that would claim the contrary. I’m inclined to agree seeing as they use ionizing radiation to do what they do.
Enhanced Body Searches
Here is a good explanation of the new “body search” procedure:
This video is a few years old, but it’s a fair indication of the average TSA employee’s ability to do their job and it’s also the reaction adults should be having.
I find this procedure generally ridiculous. If you recall a few years ago, new Apple computers pushed the limits of TSA screeners capabilities. What makes the general public believes they are any more capable of properly executing this type of search? Additionally, there are the distasteful tactics the TSA is employing to discourage people opting out of skin cancer scans by “advanced imaging technology devices.” Mainly, they announce loudly to all involved “We’ve got an opt-out!” and then they perform the search right there in front of God and everybody (these claims are universally supported by the hundreds of accounts given all over the internet).
Do we have to do either?
What happens if you don’t want to do either? Well, a man in San Diego is being investigated by TSA for possible civil penalties, but in another case, a man was escorted from the airport (through a sterile area) by airport police. In the latter case, I feel it bears pointing out that the man was escorted through a sterile area, in essence those doors that lead to areas forbidden to the general public. In both cases, the “trained professionals” didn’t know how to deal with these situations. They simply resorted to bum-covering reliance on ambiguous “policies” or hostile threats of legal action. Airports as a whole can opt out from TSA screeners, but this isn’t much of an improvement, because the private contractors are still bound by TSA policies.
What are our options? Has anything actually improved security?
Well, a lot of people have indicated that we should take a page out of the Israeli’s book and I don’t disagree. Israeli airport security is among the best in the world likely due in part to the internal struggles of the small nation. In short, the Israeli’s submit everyone to a decently thorough questioning by professionals that actually have skills in reading behaviors; if you fail the questioning, or meet the profile of a potential threat, you are screened further. Additionally, they take physical security seriously too. The typical American at this point says, “But profiling is bad isn’t it. It’s a racist thing.” Well, if you let the minimum wage earners that the TSA hires do it, every brown man in a robe is going to get selected and it is racist. On the other hand, if you have actual trained professionals doing the job, they pull people that are genuinely suspicious and the system works. The profile isn’t brown man in a robe, it’s evasive person with holes in their story.
The bottom line is that of all the things done in the name of improved security on American aircraft, in my opinion, the secure cockpits with competent pilots packing firearms have done the most to improve security. Disagree if you wish, but it’s hard to hijack a plane when the guys up front can shoot back. The rest of it is “security theater” designed with the least capable in mind to separate us from our nail clippers and cross-stitching supplies. After all, the shoe bomber walked right on through TSA screening in 2001 and the underwear guy successfully burned his genitals on the plane after he walked right through TSA screening. The only thing that saved people was the fact that neither “bomb” worked.
Also, I’d like to offer another video because I think Congressman Ron Paul is on to something, but his bill would be better if it shut down the TSA and DHS and used the money saved to pay down national debt or even just gave it directly to the military. Anything would be better than the best that these two agencies have to offer.
My solution for those who dislike TSA screening
I’d like to offer a solution to those who don’t wish to choose which invasive search they like: fly general aviation. Get your license, buy your own plane, or charter a plane for your trip. “Oh that’s ridiculous, who can afford that?” Well, almost anybody really. I’ve been looking at this for a while and honestly, the way airlines are deintegrating fares (i.e. charging you for meals and bags) chartering a private plane to fly your family home for Thanksgiving isn’t beyond the realm of possibility. When you start talking $900 plus fees a piece for 4 people to make the round trip home, $4000 to charter a King Air and a pilot doesn’t seem all that bad. Especially when you consider the fact that you can walk up to the plane and put your stuff on board and leave. For those regular travelers, I really don’t see how you can’t beat DIY. I mean honestly, I paid for a Private Pilot Certificate on a part-time job and it took less than 6 months of once-a-week training. With the IRS giving people money for buying business-use aircraft, I don’t see how this isn’t an attractive option. If you’d rather be in the back, buy a Cirrus that comes with a pilot.
Related Humor
Follow Fake TSA on Twitter.
Japanese Airport Screening – No clue what is being said, but you get the idea from the acting. Also, not really safe for work at the end, but nothing that’s not already seen on US TV.
SNL Skit