Comments on: The TSA is both a problem and a symptom. https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:05:37 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lindy https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10967 Lindy Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:18:47 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10967 Stay out of Tennessee then...the TSA are there with their guns and dogs doing random traffic stops and searches... Stay out of Tennessee then…the TSA are there with their guns and dogs doing random traffic stops and searches…

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10093 TB Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:05:20 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10093 <p>That's a factor very few people seem to realize when pushing the "Israeli" approach.</p> It's easy to field the highest-quality and best-trained people to one major airport. That’s a factor very few people seem to realize when pushing the “Israeli” approach.

It’s easy to field the highest-quality and best-trained people to one major airport.

]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10090 bowser Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:22:30 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10090 Comparing pre- and post-WTC airport security is a bit like comparing kittens and lions. Comparing pre- and post-WTC airport security is a bit like comparing kittens and lions.

]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10089 bowser Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:20:27 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10089 I agree it's a huge problem. I'm suggesting it could be done professionally and competently, with continuity across the country. When you dredge the bottom of the labor pool and then hand them arbitrary authority you don't create an efficient organization. And then when you add the regulation that objecting to abuse of authority is terrorism, and anyone who objects to being abused is a terrorist, you have a real circus. Every abuse by tyrants is done in the name of national security. Something to remember. Arf I agree it’s a huge problem. I’m suggesting it could be done professionally and competently, with continuity across the country.

When you dredge the bottom of the labor pool and then hand them arbitrary authority you don’t create an efficient organization.

And then when you add the regulation that objecting to abuse of authority is terrorism, and anyone who objects to being abused is a terrorist, you have a real circus.

Every abuse by tyrants is done in the name of national security. Something to remember.

Arf

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10085 ER Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:39:08 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10085 I hear the Israeli system is pretty effective, but then again, One of our big airports probably handles more traffic than their whole country does. Test edit 1741 EST I hear the Israeli system is pretty effective, but then again, One of our big airports probably handles more traffic than their whole country does.

Test edit 1741 EST

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10084 TB Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:05:17 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10084 <p>It should not have to be done by a "massive bureaucracy."</p> Prior to 9/11, it was done by the airlines, airports, and largely private security agencies. Then they decided American airline security needed to be a massive single monolith, so they put one in place. And during the Bush administration with a Republican House, just to make it clear. As yet there is very little evidence that doing this has improved real security all that much. Tests of the system often show major weak points. Personally, I haven't had much trouble with the system, mainly because I go prepared for it. My wife's metal implants need extra time. It should not have to be done by a “massive bureaucracy.”

Prior to 9/11, it was done by the airlines, airports, and largely private security agencies.

Then they decided American airline security needed to be a massive single monolith, so they put one in place. And during the Bush administration with a Republican House, just to make it clear.

As yet there is very little evidence that doing this has improved real security all that much. Tests of the system often show major weak points.

Personally, I haven’t had much trouble with the system, mainly because I go prepared for it. My wife’s metal implants need extra time.

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/26/the-tsa-is-both-a-problem-and-a-symptom/#comment-10081 ER Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:41:13 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=6238#comment-10081 Y'know, somehow this doesn't bother me. You have an enormous problem, protecting the traveling public from terrorist attack, and it has to be applied in such a way that a vital public utility is not overly affected. It also has to be done by a massive bureaucracy, hastily assembled, and grafted onto a system which was never designed to handle it, or a public which cannot tolerate the inconvenience. You have to expect its not going to run smoothly, that there will be problems, inefficiencies, even injustices. It's a miracle it works at all. The best way to avoid getting tangled up in the bureaucracy is to simply stay away from it. I haven't flown since before 9/11. I have no idea how inconvenient flying is anymore. I simply organize my life so I don't need to rely on long-distance travel. When I do travel, I travel by automobile, and I am looking forward to travel by train if I do need to go long distances. Sure, I know everyone can't do this, and someday I may be forced to go somewhere by air. But the point is I'll do my best to avoid it, and if I can't I will put up with it as best I can. The very idea that we can go anywhere on Earth in about 72 hours is fantastic enough as it is. As for the irritations and confusion, whether caused by fear of attack or the financial troubles of the airline industry, or by bureaucratic stupidity at the corporate of governmental level, they seem a small price to pay for that ability. test edit 1541 EDT Y’know, somehow this doesn’t bother me. You have an enormous problem, protecting the traveling public from terrorist attack, and it has to be applied in such a way that a vital public utility is not overly affected. It also has to be done by a massive bureaucracy, hastily assembled, and grafted onto a system which was never designed to handle it, or a public which cannot tolerate the inconvenience.

You have to expect its not going to run smoothly, that there will be problems, inefficiencies, even injustices. It’s a miracle it works at all. The best way to avoid getting tangled up in the bureaucracy is to simply stay away from it.
I haven’t flown since before 9/11.

I have no idea how inconvenient flying is anymore. I simply organize my life so I don’t need to rely on long-distance travel. When I do travel, I travel by automobile, and I am looking forward to travel by train if I do need to go long distances. Sure, I know everyone can’t do this, and someday I may be forced to go somewhere by air. But the point is I’ll do my best to avoid it, and if I can’t I will put up with it as best I can.

The very idea that we can go anywhere on Earth in about 72 hours is fantastic enough as it is. As for the irritations and confusion, whether caused by fear of attack or the financial troubles of the airline industry, or by bureaucratic stupidity at the corporate of governmental level, they seem a small price to pay for that ability.

test edit 1541 EDT

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