Airport Security Is a Broken System

Last month's terror threat on NW Airlines by the now infamous underwear bomber shows a lingering and fatal flaw in airline security. Despite all of the flags (cash ticket, one way travel, no luggage), the system didn't work. And even if the would-be terrorist had done it right to avoid extra scrutiny (which he didn't get), the chances of catching an explosive in someone's underwear with today's security methods would have been more luck than anything else. Bottom line, those passengers got lucky - lucky that bomb didn't kill every one of them.

But it doesn't take a Nigerian terrorist with explosives to show the system is broken. This morning, the TSA agent clearing me through security made a fundamental error in not checking the right boarding pass of my traveling partner. Without showing a proper boarding pass, the TSA agent simply made a few check marks and scribbles on the piece of paper and sent us on, violating the simplest and most direct check there is - 'Does this person have a valid ticket to get past security?' What he saw and signed off on was not what is required. But we got through anyway. (We did make a point to notify the supervisor on duty once we got out shoes and belts back on. )

But change does appear to be coming. The new administration is looking to make TSA a union organization, further creating more gov't bureaucracy and only making it harder to hold those accountable who don't do the job they are paid to do.  That's will surely make things so much better.

Personally, I'd rather see the TSA raise their standards.  It takes years to be a pilot on a 777 flying from Chicago to Shanghai, but it takes only weeks to be responsible for keeping those planes free of explosives and other harmful items.  Don't take this the wrong way.  There are a number of talented and well qualified individuals doing their job for the TSA, but I've seen just as many that make me cringe.  This personal example is just one of several I could share.

So I'd offer this comment - until things get better:  make security your concern. Don't rely on others to keep you safe. Be vigilant. Pay attention. Report anything suspicious. Help them do their job. It's painfully obvious that the system today isn't doing the job it is designed to do. And I wouldn't count on our government to make it better anytime soon.