The TSA Is Crushing It!

 

All those naysayers that dismissed the idea that a government run, fully-unionized workforce couldn’t make travel safe yet efficient were clearly wrong. From the New York Times:

Security lines at airports are getting longer — much longer — and wait times could reach epidemic levels when air travel peaks this summer, according to airlines, airports and federal officials

No worries though, therapy to the rescue:

Airport workers walked up and down the line with therapy dogs and handed out bottled water and candy to travelers

Nothing calms me after missing a flight like a little canine therapy and aqua fria.

Why the troubles? Turns out the economy is to blame:

“Where it starts is actually a volume issue,” said Mr. Rasicot, who was previously a senior official with the United States Coast Guard, as was the TSA’s administrator, Peter V. Neffenger. “It’s really a good-news story. The economy is doing well, Americans are traveling more, and this equates with record numbers at our checkpoints.”

But at least they are proficient:

There are other factors at play as well. Last year, the agency vowed to make changes to security and screening procedures to address widespread safety lapses that had been uncovered by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general.

The audit found that agents had failed to spot weapons and explosives in 95 percent of the undercover tests. The findings prompted criticism by some former and current TSA employees, who claimed that the agency was keen to keep passengers moving quickly through the lines.

I played football at a small high school and we routinely got our butts kicked…..my buddy would say “We were small, but we were slow.”

Sounds about right.

Published in Domestic Policy
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  1. BrentB67 Inactive
    BrentB67
    @BrentB67

    Good article. This confirms my suspicion. We haven’t fallen far enough.

    Tonight we are herded like cattle through airports bought and paid for with monies confiscated from us by force for our own good in the name of security against a threat laughing at us.

    While the children of illegal immigrants assault U.S. citizens and shout insults against our nation that make Reverend Wright blush.

    Not to worry. If we just draft Mitt Romney at a contested Republican convention all will be right in the world.

    • #1
  2. blank generation member Inactive
    blank generation member
    @blankgenerationmember

    Obviously their budget is too small.   Get with the future!

    • #2
  3. Miffed White Male Member
    Miffed White Male
    @MiffedWhiteMale

    CuriousKevmo: “It’s really a good-news story. The economy is doing well”

    No it isn’t.

    • #3
  4. CuriousKevmo Inactive
    CuriousKevmo
    @CuriousKevmo

    I’m flying to Italy on Tuesday, guess I better get there about 4 hours prior to take off.

    • #4
  5. The Scarecrow Thatcher
    The Scarecrow
    @TheScarecrow

    BrentB67:Good article. This confirms my suspicion. We haven’t fallen far enough.

    Tonight we are herded like cattle through airports bought and paid for with monies confiscated from us by force for our own good in the name of security against a threat laughing at us.

    While the children of illegal immigrants assault U.S. citizens and shout insults against our nation that make Reverend Wright blush.

    Not to worry. If we just draft Mitt Romney at a contested Republican convention all will be right in the world.

    This is why you are my hero.

    • #5
  6. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    I am obviously the luckiest person on earth.  The last several times I’ve flown out of major airports, the TSA “experience” was neither long nor intrusive.  There must be some way that I can make a few bucks off this “gift.”

    • #6
  7. wilber forge Inactive
    wilber forge
    @wilberforge

    Translation, Give us more money and we will be nicer. As for the quality mentality of the TSA, travelling with a block of Tillamook cheese got one the Mad Bomber drill. Boy, did I feel safer for that experience.

    Sorry, but Mafia run Union longshoremen were smarter than this and during WW2 were employed by the FBI to deal with German spies and threats. Worked quite well thank you very much.

    Addendum, have chosen to drive to avoid some of this, yet was challenged at the DHS/Homeland checkpoint on the Northbound 35.

    Question, Sir have you had any Radiation treatments lately as my wearable alarm is beeping ? A simple change of batteries in the device cleared the journey. Gotta love the respect and trust these folk generate

    • #7
  8. BrentB67 Inactive
    BrentB67
    @BrentB67

    CuriousKevmo:I’m flying to Italy on Tuesday, guess I better get there about 4 hours prior to take off.

    You are already late.

    • #8
  9. Klaatu Inactive
    Klaatu
    @Klaatu

    Due to an implanted medical device, I require a pat down rather than going through any electronic screening.  On one recent trip I was being escorted to the screening area when the agent I was with was told it was time for her break.  She said, “OK” and left for her break leaving me standing there.  I waited 10-15 seconds and when no one came to pat me down, I continued on my way.

    I feel so safe when I fly.

    • #9
  10. Son of Spengler Member
    Son of Spengler
    @SonofSpengler

    There are two things for which I will never forgive my Sen. Joe Lieberman: His defense of Bill Clinton’s perjury, and the creation of the TSA.

    • #10
  11. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    CuriousKevmo:

    Airport workers walked up and down the line with therapy dogs and handed out bottled water and candy to travelers

    And when you get to security screening  they will scream at you to throw away that bottled water….

    • #11
  12. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    tsa gif

    • #12
  13. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    CuriousKevmo:I’m flying to Italy on Tuesday, guess I better get there about 4 hours prior to take off.

    They won’t let you check in for an international flight more then 3 hours before takeoff with most airlines. I’d call and check with your airline.

    • #13
  14. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Hoyacon:I am obviously the luckiest person on earth. The last several times I’ve flown out of major airports, the TSA “experience” was neither long nor intrusive. There must be some way that I can make a few bucks off this “gift.”

    I’ve found the key is to go to smaller regional airports (make sure you connect through airports that DON’T kick you out to security again!) I’ve never spent more then 10 or 15 minutes getting screened at RDU or CLT….

    • #14
  15. Son of Spengler Member
    Son of Spengler
    @SonofSpengler

    The only reason I aspire to be rich is so I can fly private.

    • #15
  16. Tom Meyer, Ed. Member
    Tom Meyer, Ed.
    @tommeyer

    I stand by my usual comments on this:

    From a national security perspective, there is almost no need for the TSA. 9/11 is almost impossible to replicate and the dangers of a bomb attack fall overwhelmingly on the passengers and the airlines. Let the airlines figure it out themselves. They have a much better set of incentives and are far more likely to find a better balance between providing useful safety — which is important — and efficiency.

    • #16
  17. Austin Murrey Inactive
    Austin Murrey
    @AustinMurrey

    Key & Peele’s TSA sketch (probably not CoC-compliant) perfectly encapsulates the absurdity of the agency.

    BrentB67: Tonight we are herded like cattle through airports bought and paid for with monies confiscated from us by force for our own good in the name of security against a threat laughing at us.

    Speak for yourself – I drive. There is presently no need to leave Texas, much less the American continents, and should the need arise for me to visit the Eastern Hemisphere outside of a draft that somehow scoops up out-of-shape men in their mid 30’s I’d give hard thought to booking an ocean passage.

    Do freighters still let you work passage?

    • #17
  18. BrentB67 Inactive
    BrentB67
    @BrentB67

    Austin Murrey:Key & Peele’s TSA sketch (probably not CoC-compliant) perfectly encapsulates the absurdity of the agency.

    BrentB67: Tonight we are herded like cattle through airports bought and paid for with monies confiscated from us by force for our own good in the name of security against a threat laughing at us.

    Speak for yourself – I drive.

    July will mark 3 years having not left the borders of the Lone Start State and as far as I am concerned I will stay here until they chunk me in the dirt.

    There is presently no need to leave Texas, much less the American continents, and should the need arise for me to visit the Eastern Hemisphere outside of a draft that somehow scoops up out-of-shape men in their mid 30’s I’d give hard thought to booking an ocean passage.

    Do freighters still let you work passage?

    Freighters do still offer passage for hire now. Bloomberg did a great story about it.

    • #18
  19. Austin Murrey Inactive
    Austin Murrey
    @AustinMurrey

    BrentB67:

    Austin Murrey:Key & Peele’s TSA sketch (probably not CoC-compliant) perfectly encapsulates the absurdity of the agency.

    BrentB67: Tonight we are herded like cattle through airports bought and paid for with monies confiscated from us by force for our own good in the name of security against a threat laughing at us.

    Speak for yourself – I drive.

    July will mark 3 years having not left the borders of the Lone Start State and as far as I am concerned I will stay here until they chunk me in the dirt.

    There is presently no need to leave Texas, much less the American continents, and should the need arise for me to visit the Eastern Hemisphere outside of a draft that somehow scoops up out-of-shape men in their mid 30’s I’d give hard thought to booking an ocean passage.

    Do freighters still let you work passage?

    Freighters do still offer passage for hire now. Bloomberg did a great story about it.

    An even better travel option then – I might have to do this next year, thanks!

    • #19
  20. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    The problem with airport security is multi-fold. But one glaring issue is the large central entry hall in most airports. One walks into this area totally unchecked before entering the secure area of the gates. In the busiest airports there are thousands of people in these totally unsecured areas wandering around or walking through with purpose. Any one of these folks could be carrying a weapon or a bomb and at that point actually are in a position to accomplish maximum injury and death numbers…perhaps even more than on a plane. I never will understand this arrangement. It is asking for trouble and defeats the entire “airport security” meme.

    In Kansas City at MCI the airport was originally built so as to offer maximum convenience to the traveler. How about that for an old time concept? One may park directly across from one of three terminals (about 100 feet) walk into your terminal and immediately (within 50 feet) walk into your secure gate. Kansas Citians and visitors alike absolutely love this setup. But FFA honchos hate it. They are demanding that we tear it down and spend about a billion dollars to rebuild a single building airport. It can’t even get on a ballot, the concept is so unpopular. Yet these honchos are quoted as arrogantly stating, “we do not care what the people want, they must build a new airport.

    • #20
  21. Pseudodionysius Inactive
    Pseudodionysius
    @Pseudodionysius

    I wish they could work with local healthcare providers to screen me for colon cancer when they check me for hidden currency. In the end is my beginning.

    • #21
  22. Owen Findy Inactive
    Owen Findy
    @OwenFindy

    Here, Comedy Central shows why terrorists fear the TSA.

    • #22
  23. Metalheaddoc Member
    Metalheaddoc
    @Metalheaddoc

    cdor:

    In Kansas City at MCI the airport was originally built so as to offer maximum convenience to the traveler. How about that for an old time concept? One may park directly across from one of three terminals (about 100 feet) walk into your terminal and immediately (within 50 feet) walk into your secure gate. Kansas Citians and visitors alike absolutely love this setup. But FFA honchos hate it. They are demanding that we tear it down and spend about a billion dollars to rebuild a single building airport. It can’t even get on a ballot, the concept is so unpopular. Yet these honchos are quoted as arrogantly stating, “we do not care what the people want, they must build a new airport.

    True. Fast, fast, fast. no long walks. Each terminal is shaped like a C. You get dropped off on the inside of the C. Or park in the middle of the C. The planes are parked on the outside of the C. You could get out of your car, throw a baseball over the terminal and hit your plane. There are about 4 different highway approaches to the airport, so traffic is smooth in and out too. They dolled it up inside with lots of historical KC  displays. And jazz is playing in the bathrooms.

    I can’t believe they want a new airport. Same jerks who spent 100 million on the 2.2 mile streetcar line downtown to ferry drunk hipsters back to their lofts.

    • #23
  24. Concretevol Thatcher
    Concretevol
    @Concretevol

    BrentB67: Freighters do still offer passage for hire now. Bloomberg did a great story about it.

    Awesome!  The worst thing about the one cruise I have been on was all the people on the ship!  lol

    • #24
  25. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Metalheaddoc:I can’t believe they want a new airport. Same jerks who spent 100 million on the 2.2 mile streetcar line downtown to ferry drunk hipsters back to their lofts.

    The original cost was projected at 100 million. The engineers forgot, however, that underneath Main Street lay miles of electrical cable, fiber optic lines, gas line, sewer lines, and water lines. After all, what engineer would have guessed that would be the case? Oh, and also the need to reinforce the street due to the street car weight. What engineer could have foreseen that anomaly? Bottom line, as a result, the cost exploded to somewhere between 200 and 250 million dollars for a streetcar that goes 2 miles.

    And now we are being told that our water bills have doubled and will triple soon because of the need to spend money on the crumbling sewer and storm water lines as well as the old cast iron water mains. We do have great water in KCMO…at least.

    • #25
  26. iWe Coolidge
    iWe
    @iWe

    Son of Spengler: The only reason I aspire to be rich

    What kind of Jew are you?

    • #26
  27. Klaatu Inactive
    Klaatu
    @Klaatu

    More than a few years ago at the airport in Atlanta, some moron decided he was late for his flight to a college football game so he decided to bypass security by running down the escalators that bring arriving passengers up from the concourse  train to the main terminal.  He successfully made it to the bottom and onto a train.  This caused TSA to close the airport and order everyone to evacuate the secure areas of the airport (even those who had boarded their flights) to be screened again.  No flights were able to depart and no arriving passengers were allowed to leave their aircraft.

    I was unfortunate enough to be at the airport that day to meet someone.  I was waiting for her plane to arrive in my car on the top floor of the parking deck (bottom of photo) while frustrated travelers exited the terminal and packed the South Terminal road.  My immediate thought was if I really wanted to wreak havoc that concentration of people provided a target rich environment.  A couple of hundred rounds and a few grenades would have easily killed or wounded scores of people.

    image

    • #27
  28. Austin Murrey Inactive
    Austin Murrey
    @AustinMurrey

    Concretevol:

    BrentB67: Freighters do still offer passage for hire now. Bloomberg did a great story about it.

    Awesome! The worst thing about the one cruise I have been on was all the people on the ship! lol

    Perhaps we should consider a Ricochet Cruise on the picturesque freighter Maersk Star to the Orient.

    Given the way threads shape up we’d either get along famously or inspire a lurid “Daily Mail” article about right-wing activists murdering each other on the high seas.

    • #28
  29. gadster Member
    gadster
    @

    (Yes – TSA is everything we said it would be.)

    I cannot recommend Global Entry high enough. I think it’s $100 for 5 years, and requires (1) online application (invasive), (2) in person interview (usually at an airport) and (3) fingerprints (taken at the interview). I look at it as a $20/year tax to fly, and results in (near) 100% TSA Pre-Check. I rarely wait more than a few minutes in security – the worst seems to be Newark on a Friday afternoon – and that’s about 10 minutes. And with rare exception never have to remove my jacket, shoes, or laptop.

    To those that drive – there was a link today on instapundit.com to https://cei.org/blog/cei-sues-over-tsas-body-scanners:  “three Cornell University economists found that TSA’s invasive, time-consuming airport screening policies resulted in about 500 additional highway fatalities annually in the years following 9/11—more than a fully loaded 747 per year”.

    So drive safely!

    • #29
  30. Roberto Inactive
    Roberto
    @Roberto

    I was always under the impression that the entire process leading up to the creation of the TSA was at least as much about limiting any potential air carrier legal liability arising from successful terrorist attacks in the future, and from 9/11 in particular, as it was about airport security.

    H.R. 2926

    Title II: Aviation Insurance – …Authorizes the Secretary to reimburse an air carrier for any increase in the costs of insurance since September 11, 2001. Sets forth certain insurance requirements, including limiting air carrier liability for losses to no more than $100 million in the aggregate for all claims arising as a result of an act of terrorism…

    S.1447

    Title II: Liability Limitation – …(Sec. 201) Provides that liability for all claims, whether for compensatory or punitive damages or for contribution or indemnity, arising from the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001, against an air carrier, aircraft manufacturer, airport sponsor, or person with a property interest in the World Trade Center, on September 11, 2001, or their directors, officers, employees, or agents, shall not be in an amount greater than the limits of liability insurance coverage maintained by that air carrier, aircraft manufacturer, airport sponsor, or person. Limits the liability for all claims against the City of New York as a result of such attacks to no more than the city’s insurance coverage or $350 million.

    So the impetus for leaving matters as they are will likely remain regardless of how poorly the TSA performs.

    • #30
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