Going through airport security is such a pain these days. They’re still taking tubes of toothpaste, bottles of water, and anything else over three ounces away from passengers, and they’re still letting guns and bomb-making components pass right through.
A report from the Newark, N.J.,Star-Ledger on Friday said that Transportation Security Administration screeners failed 20 of 22 security tests performed at Newark Liberty International Airport by “Red Team” personnel, special agents tasked with testing airport security.
And this is with heightened, “orange” level “security” at airports nationwide.
“We can do better, and training is the path to improved performance,” said Mark Hatfield Jr., Newark Airport’s federal security director, declining to address specifics. “Test results are not a grade or a scorecard; they are a road map to perpetual improvement; any other characterization is simply misleading. We have to challenge ourselves to do better every day and be relentless in that pursuit.” — Newark Star-Ledger
In March, a classified Government Accountability Office report found that investigators were consistently able to smuggle bomb-making materials into airports, even through the more invasive secondary screening process.
Security expert Bruce Schneier says airport passenger screening is “a very hard problem to solve,” noting that the sheer monotony causes screeners to simply stop paying attention after a short while. “This psychological phenomenon isn’t just a problem in airport screening: It’s been identified in inspections of all kinds, and is why casinos move their dealers around so often. The tasks are simply mind-numbing.”
Schneier says that even so, a cursory screening is good enough, as it deters “the amateurs and the incompetent.” He recommends computer-assisted screening for baggage and “well-trained security personnel wandering around the airport, both in and out of uniform, looking for suspicious actions.”
Makes perfect sense to me. Which is why it will never happen, at least as long as government is in charge of security.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Josh
Oct 31, 2006
This just illustrates the thing that has most annoyed me about ’security’ for pretty much as long as I’ve been aware of what security means. Almost universally institutions such as the government and corporations choose to take the route that makes it look like they’re doing something, even if it’s obviously and demonstrably ineffective. It’s nothing more than the magician’s art of misdirection.
Hey look! Big fancy machines with blinking lights and sliding glass doors that blow air at you! See, we’re doing stuff! It doesn’t matter that none of the security measures we’ve implemented actually address the vulnerabilities and concerns that we’ve actually seen exploited in the past because they look cool!
Nixer6
Oct 31, 2006
I second what Josh said, and even more so, it’s another sign that
incompetence is the norm in most govt endeavors.
More training…….. lol.
Dustin_S
Nov 01, 2006
Christ- the airport gestapo confiscated my 17 dollar bottle of aloe vera gel and this is what I come home to? Airplane the movie used to make me laugh. Now it’s real life.
michael
Nov 01, 2006
Have you compared the security figures of Newark airport with other airports?
The picture is very different when you do that.
The job of airport screener is tedious at times but what is more tedious is the general public that refuses to recall that airlines were targets of terrorism long before 9-11 and that every security precaution used is to the benefit of the passenger.
There is a sincere committment to safeguarding your jet, and family by everyone I work with in Logan International Airort.
I personally prefer flying on a jet that has been checked vs one that has not.
The precautions in place are rudimentary for the moment but with new technology, and a growing database of what works and does not work, things are getting better.
There are “scorched earth” methods that could be used that would eliminate most of what the public has to go through pre boarding…such as not allowing any carry ons. This would cause each individual to just have to walk through a metal detector and get a pat down search. Is America willing to give up carrying laptops, and oodles of items? Would they put up with having to check all their bags?
During my 4 plus years as a Federal Screener I have witnessed many incidents of passengers trying to board a jet with items that could only be deemed as a real hazard to individuals who are just trying to get from Point A to Point B.
Trust me when I tell you that the threat to Aviation has not subsided.
Michael Lee
TSA-TSO Boston
Q
Nov 01, 2006
They should have police authority not security guard.
they have FAMs undercover on the planes, these guys should be the uniform version, instead they receive a few hours of training equivalent to that of a security guard, this is what happens when you cut corners.
The TSAs should be upgraded and trained as Federal Police Officers.
Q
Nov 01, 2006
They should also get tuition assistance and reimbursement, to go to college with the most assistance going to Officers who major in Bio-Terroism and things like that.
Stu
Nov 01, 2006
I just returned from a trip to NYC and went through LGA twice.
Then I found that in my computer bag was a magnetic mount antenna with a
long sharp point (could do well as a stabbing instrument), as well as
a leatherman tool (knife, pliers, etc) plus two pair of finger nail
snippers. At least I didn’t have bomb making materials and box cutters.
No one batted an eye when my bag went through, no one asked to paw
through it even though I would not mind.
I frequently travel and am surprised at the things that have gotten
through security in my computer bag. A kitchen knife made it through
once. Totally by accident, I seem to be carrying deadly instruments
through the portals that are meant to protect us, or even others from
me and so far, no one has challenged me.
Denver did catch me with a pocket knife once, by accident it was in my
overcoat pocket and I swear I didn’t know about it.
I do feel that we are somewhat more secure now than before 911, but at
huge expense, I doubt it is marginally better.
Going through Orlando the other day, I noticed a TSA guard nodding off,
up on a very high chair, if it successfully fell asleep and off the
chair, could wind up with a on the job accident injury (read that $$$)
for us…
Why do they have someone keeping people from going the wrong way? Why
not have a one way turnstile like Disney uses?
Pascal Monett
Nov 03, 2006
I just love this quote : “The precautions in place are rudimentary for the moment” – this coming from someone who qualifies himself as TSA-TSO for Boston.
Rudimentary ? How many decades of experience is the TSA supposed to have in airport security ? I believe that goes back to before WWII, some sixty-something years.
And after more than half a century, you people are still at the point of “a growing database of what works and does not work” ?
Well gosh, Michael, no wonder the threat has not subsided ! Maybe if you pulled your fingers out and started working you could actually get something done. I’ve been hearing for years now that smuggling explosives and guns on a plane is a piece of cake – and that was long before 9/11.
It is negligence when it takes decades to get security working in a secure environment. It becomes criminal when you still don’t have it working and the stakes are as high as they are now.
Frankly, Michael, you can go on bleating about how secure you feel, that won’t change the fact that only the morons are caught – sometimes – in the current system. The real pros are hardly bothered, and I suspect they are a lot more dangerous.
But hey, an ivory tower is a nice place to be.
Pascal.
Mike D
Nov 07, 2006
“they have FAMs undercover on the planes, these guys should be the uniform version, instead they receive a few hours of training equivalent to that of a security guard, this is what happens when you cut corners.”
Here that? Its the tiny amount of credibility you had, running out the door!
Nov 07, 2006
The TSA Follies - Homeland Stupidity
Dec 05, 2006
BLOGical Thoughts » Wednesday, 1 November, 2006
Helen Ringler
Dec 10, 2006
I just encountered one of the dumbest and laziest TSA supervisors at Newark airport. I am a senior who must wear high top sneakers for a foot problem. I requested a chair so I could remove my sneakers for screening. Not only did this moron refuse to provide one but he informed me that if I could not remove my sneakers without a chair, he would not allow me to pass through the screening point. My 71 year old husband had no choice but to sit on the floor and help me remove them.
When I wrote to the TSA, they e-mailed me some gibberish about the need to screen people’s shoes. They also told me that there were procedures in place to aid the handicapped. It’s a pity someone promoted this particular supervisor to his job without informing him of this.
Apr 04, 2007
TSA misses liquid explosives, weapons in tests - Homeland Stupidity
Kristi
Jul 16, 2007
Well, after 1 year of the TSA not allowing liquids, lotions, gels & creams larger than 3 ounces through the checkpoint, a large number of passengers still think they can through the checkpoint with it. Where have they been the last year?? Have they had their head in hole the last year?? They are the ones who hold up the lines for everyone else!! I say we completely ban carry ons………people bring such idiotic stuff with them on the airplane anyways and they usually bring big suitcases with them because they are just too lazy to check it in!! Helen, that is a horrible experience at Newark! TSA should have offered you a chair!! At our airport we have some chairs right before you walk through the metal detector for taking off shoes, etc. If it was that difficult for you to take your shoes off they should have let you keep them on and they could have tested them right after you went through the walk thru detector.
Jul 19, 2007
TSA seizes water, lets bombs through - Homeland Stupidity
DreFilm
Oct 19, 2007
I first read about this on GlobalGrind.com and it scared me. This is nuts. I can’t bring a lighter on the plane but bombs are getting through?
Michael
Dec 24, 2007
As a former TSA (Screener) at Orlando International Airport, I can concur with the majority of complaints listed by travelers. After several years of being subjected to the utter stupidity of TSA management, I finally decided to quit the ‘agency’. Travelers must understand, the screeners are subjected to ridiculous directives which constantly change from day to day. The managers and supervisors don’t even read the standard TSA security operating procedures which the screeners and passengers are subjected to. The screeners consider the majority of its management to be nothing more than ‘keystone cops’. Many of these individuals should not have been promoted to their positions in the first place. Screeners 15 minute breaks and 30 minute (unpaid) lunch periods were constantly being suspendend and/or cancelled by our inept management. How well could you perform your job under those conditions? Each checkpoint lane was understaffed by at least 3 to 4 screeners. This was the fault of TSA Management who could care less about the screeners plight or the inconvenience imposed upon the flying public. The (screeners) are the hardest working members of homeland security the majority of which are genuinely concerned about doing a good job despite the incompetence and indifference imposed by its management. TSA is the only agency in the Department of Homeland Security which is not allowed to be represented by a workers union. Any guesses why? TSA management abuses against screeners go unchecked. This is the main reason for TSA’s high attrition rate. The next time you are standing in that long line or you are being patted down ask the screener two questions: 1. How do you like your job? and 2. What do you think of your management? The answers might surprise you.