TSA

… they’re going to do away with the “terror by color” scheme that the Bushies put into place. If you’re gotten used to the message “the threat level, as determined by the Department of Human Security, is orange,” whenever you’re at the airport, enjoy it while you can. http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1579

U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) says the TSA labors under the illusion that “congresspeople should be treated like everybody else.” Clyburn based his reasoning on the recent shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). The funny thing is, though, that Giffords was nowhere near an airport, and the TSA could have done nothing to prevent the assault. http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/watercooler/index.php?blogid=1445

“If you object to the naked scanners, you can just not fly. Nobody’s forcing you to get on airplane.” Have you heard that argument? Or offered it yourself? As if to prove that civil liberties are indeed an invisible cloak, the Department of Homeland Security is looking at looking at you, not just at the security line at an airport, but, well, everywhere. “The department […]

According to the Washington Post, officials at some airports are considering ditching the TSA: “For airports, the change isn’t about money. At issue, airport managers and security experts say, is the unwieldy size and bureaucracy of the federal aviation security system. Private firms may be able to do the job more efficiently and with a personal touch, they argue.” Some airports, such as San Francisco International, […]

A new survey of public opinion on the “security theater” conducted by the TSA delivers some interesting findings: 1. More people are offended by having to remove their shoes at security checkpoints than being groped. Really? 2. Asked to describe the security regime, people said, “inconsistent,” “stressful,” and “embarrassing.” 3. When people are discouraged from traveling, the economy suffers–perhaps at the rate of 888,000 jobs and […]

An airline pilot publishes a video in which he says, “airport security is kind of a farce. It’s only smoke and mirrors so you people believe there is actually something going on here.” A few days later, four federal agents and two sheriff’s deputies show up at his home. He also lost his right to carry a gun in the airport, as a number of […]

Let’s see now. Citizens should let federal employees grope their private parts at the airport or stand, hands-over-head (criminal suspect style) while subjected to semi-nudie scanners because doing so keeps dangerous materials off planes. Right? Well, a man recently took a loaded pistol onto a flight, missed entirely by the TSA. Here’s the kicker: A person briefed on the latest tests tells ABC News the failure […]

If you’re going to take a commercial flight for Christmas, you know the drill by now: limit the toiletries in your carry-on bag to sample-size bottles; throw your water or pop in the trash before you enter the security checkpoint line; take your laptop out of your carry-on; take off your shoes; take off your belt; take off your pants. OK, we’re not quite to […]

During the second half of November, I compiled a series of stories about new “security” measures the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has put into place at airports. (You can find an archive of the series, dubbed “The Daily Grope,” here.) Most days, the stories focus on a spcific indignity or misuse of power by the TSA. For this column, I’d like to highlight the TSA’s […]

Do critics of the TSA object to airport security? Hardly; we are pointing out inherent flaws in the status quo government security monopoly. John Fund warns if you think the TSA is badly managed now, just wait until its unionized. Deroy Murdoch calls for being more selective in scanning: “Pre-flight screening has moved from safety to comedy. Before it devolves into tragedy, officials should start profiling terrorists.” […]