Recap of the TSA Power Trip

by melonakos on November 29, 2010

in Current Events,Media,Politics,Security

As we all know from recent headlines, the TSA has stepped up the invasiveness of already overly invasive pre-flight screening of passengers.  From the young boy in SLC to the urine spill incident, hundreds of stories have flooded youtube and the blogosphere  depicting a disrespectful display of big government stomping on private citizens, justifying actions in the name of “public safety”.

After all of the outcry, it floors me that the TSA does not relent.  I’m literally stunned.  Obama definitely needs that special assistant for reality.

The TSA costs taxpayers ~$7B/year.  From Bruce Schneier at the NY Times, “Exactly two things have made airplane travel safer since 9/11: reinforcing the cockpit door, and convincing passengers they need to fight back. Everything else has been a waste of money. Add screening of checked bags and airport workers and we’re done. Take all the rest of the money and spend it on investigation and intelligence.”  I highly recommend reading the full article.

How about we go back to pre 9/11 security, simply with enhanced intelligence?  We’d be just as safe, put a chunk of the $7B/year back in our pockets, and stick it to the bureaucrats that get a kick out of flexing state power.  How do you feel about this latest TSA power trip?  Are you surprised the TSA hasn’t backed down yet?

—

PS:  Enjoy the Ron Paul video below on the subject.  “Groping people is not going to solve our problems”:

Tagged as: politics, Security, tsa

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=673556313 Christopher Heier

    I still remember as a kid, being invited by the flight attendant to check out the aircraft cockpit… in the middle of flight. Of course, reasonings for that not happening are a bit justified post 9/11, but it is always nice to think about the good ol’ days.

    I think one of the biggest things that irks me is Napolitano and how she feels that the underwear bomber guy is the model to decide all 2010 security measures. I remember going to visit my mom in PA not long after Christmas. Sure enough, enhanced screening of all passengers, but the worst was that because we were an in-bound international flight coming into Chicago, we had to endure the ‘sterile’ period. That period of 1 hour at the end of the flight where you couldn’t get up, move around or have anything on your lap, and keeping your hands in plain view at all times. How fun is that when after they say that we can’t move, my daughter looks at me and asks to use the bathroom. Why was this rule in place? Oh, that is because the underwear bomber was on an in-bound international flight, and he attempted to fry his crotch in the last hour of flight.

    Move to today and we have TSA agents grabbing peoples junk. Couldn’t happen to be because the underwear bomber tried getting away with scorching his junk during the holidays could it? Listening to Napolitano in an interview, that is exactly why we have the enhanced procedures.

    Needless to say, I haven’t flown into the US since last Christmas. Although this year, I’ll be flying over the US, hopefully I won’t have to worry as much about enhanced screenings or anything. I’m personally going to take the option of driving seriously if I do need to go somewhere in the US. I think both Canada and the US are beautiful countries, and I think it is probably time I try and enjoy them from the ground level a bit (or a lower altitude level when I have my own small plane… :D )

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for the comment. Driving is a great option. I’ve driven across the US a number of times and always enjoy it. I’d like to drive across Canada too someday.Your post reminded me of the opening paragraph of the Schneier article (link above): “A short history of airport security: We screen for guns and bombs, so the terrorists use box cutters. We confiscate box cutters and corkscrews, so they put explosives in their sneakers. We screen footwear, so they try to use liquids. We confiscate liquids, so they put PETN bombs in their underwear. We roll out full-body scanners, even though they wouldn’t have caught the Underwear Bomber, so they put a bomb in a printer cartridge. We ban printer cartridges over 16 ounces — the level of magical thinking here is amazing — and they’re going to do something else. This is a stupid game, and we should stop playing it.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=673556313 Christopher Heier

    Nothing like closing the doors after the horses bolted eh? :)

    I’m kinda wishing general aviation wasn’t so expensive. I really want a Cessna T182RG, but it is hard to find one for less than $100k.

    I remember my last flight from Springbank Airport (CYBW) to Lloydminster Airport (CYLL) in a Cessna 172N. Show up to the airport with family. Unload car and put luggage in the back of the plane. Make sure the plane is in good condition and ready for flying, file flight plan, get everyone in the plane, turn engine on, start rolling. Having the option to fly only a couple thousand feet above ground is nice as well since you get a better view of scenery. I’ve flown by large hills where the top was higher elevation than the plane. Fantastic flying.

    Flying commercial, it is like all of your rights and humanity are stripped away, and your scenery becomes either cloud tops or a blending of land that, at 34,000 ft., doesn’t really look that great. The best scenery at that altitude is flying over the rocky mountains. Always wanted to fly in them as opposed to over them.

  • Anonymous

    I’ve not really had experience in non-big-commercial flying. Sounds beautiful.

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