• Chris Remington@beehaw.org
    14·
    3 days ago

    Overall, the TSA is unnecessary because it has been shown over and over again that it is ineffective at stopping terrorism (bombing, hijacking, etc.).

    It may provide some peace of mind for the general public but that is all.

  • Powderhorn@beehaw.orgMEnglish
    6·
    3 days ago

    The TSA in and of itself has always been a make-work security-theatre project. Just as we did just fine without creating the Department of FatherHomeland Security, it’s not like there’d been a whole bunch of hijackings under the previous airport-screening scheme.

    Sure, you’ve got 9/11, but that was far more of a failure on the part of the national-security apparatus writ large than the folks at security at any given airport.

    At this point, the biggest danger in air travel is boarding a Boeing. It’s a shame Airbus hasn’t hired Tom Bodett for a “we’ll keep the doors on for you” ad campaign.

    But back to the shoes. I have lived exclusively in Birkenstocks – the generic two-strap Arizonas at that – since 1993, with a minor excursion for my first job (“Men at the DN-R wear ties”). I have no idea what I could hide in those, especially in sufficient quantity to blow up a plane, without ripping the soles off, carving out some space in the cork and then attempting to reaffix the sole in a stable enough manner that I could even get to the airport, let alone to security.

    This was a stupid rule from the get-go. That it took nearly 20 years to admit that tells you pretty much all you need to know about airport security.

    • JillyB@beehaw.org
      1·
      2 days ago

      I suspect this is actually because of those full body scanners. They’re probably better at detecting explosives.

  • sic_semper_tyrannis@lemmy.todayEnglish
    3·
    3 days ago

    I went through the Denver airport once with a work colleage. We got to our terminal and she opened her bag to find a book and found a giant butcher type knife she had forgot was in there. Complete blissful ignorance it was in her bag while going though TSA, same with TSA

    • JillyB@beehaw.org
      4·
      2 days ago

      And here I am, paranoid as hell in the TSA line because I might have a Swiss army knife in my backpack

  • Megaman_EXE@beehaw.org
    2·
    3 days ago

    I often hear how the TSA was/is security theatre. Was this ever proven with any kind of stats? Did they ever stop any big incidents from occurring?

    I remember going through various American airport security in the 2000’s and thought it was intimidating (i was a kid). But i figured it would at the very least deter people who might attempt some kind of crime of opportunity? Idk.

      • Megaman_EXE@beehaw.org
        1·
        2 days ago

        Interesting. I feel like surely there must be a way to…make things genuinely helpful lol. I would rather have effective security than shitty security. Idk if I would want nothing though? Weird. Thanks for sharing!

        • Vodulas [they/them]@beehaw.org
          1·
          2 days ago

          I truly do not know if there is a good solution, but I do know the TSA ain’t it. People are pretty ingenious, and if someone really wants to get something through security, they’ll likely find a way. Hell, I saw a video of someone that built a functioning weapon entirely from items purchased after the security check. Luckily he was doing it as an example, but still.

          • JillyB@beehaw.org
            1·
            2 days ago

            I feel like we already have the solution. The reason hijacking a plane is attractive for a terrorist is because you essentially have a precision missile. There’s little security for buses or trains because you can’t do the same thing. If you make the cockpit basically bulletproof and have strict procedures about entering the cockpit during flight, then it’s not nearly as attractive. Those changes were already made after 9/11. Hijacking a plane only allows the hijackers to kill the people on board, which isn’t as useful. Literally eliminate TSA and I think we’re good.

            • Vodulas [they/them]@beehaw.org
              1·
              2 days ago

              Oh, don’t get me wrong. Eliminating the TSA is a net positive. Good to know about the increased in flight security, and that makes sense.