dispatches from the new world of work

The Emperor's New TSA Uniform

At this very moment, tens of thousands of people are patiently inching through airport security lines at a snail's pace. Few are complaining, because we look at it as an important piece of homeland defense. "Hey, we're all in this 9-11 thing together."

OK. Of course. We all want safe air travel. We all want to keep terrorists from committing violent acts. But let's not be afraid to call it what it is: The current process of screening passengers at U.S. airports is a joke. It's not protecting us from very much. Did you ever notice that your likelihood of being pulled out of line for a special check has more to do with the TSA staff/passenger ratio than if you're likely to be carrying a bomb? I swear that I only get pulled out of line if they're not very busy. Don't you think a terrorist could figure this system out?

You may have guessed: I just went through an inane complete search of all my belongings, just by the luck of the draw as I went through security in Phoenix. With 2 guys busy analyzing my toothpaste and making sure my iPod Mini wasn't really WMD Mini, all I could think was that Senator Proxmire would be having lots of fun with this if he were still exposing stupid government waste.

Steve Yastrow posted this on 11/19/04.

Comments

Steve: There are now new initatives on the curve. Try obtaining a CANPASS for travels to/fro Canada.

I understand that TSA/Homeland is having something like this in the pipline.. details can;t give..am under NDA. But keep your eyes open.. these two passes will make your life a zillion times easier for travels and its meant for frequent travelers !!

Posted by /pd at November 19, 2004 9:46 AM

The press has dubbed it "trusted traveler". You trade some personal information for a quick pass through the security portals. It might help some early on but when Secure Flight launches it will be a coveted privilege.

Posted by Gary Potter at November 19, 2004 9:59 AM

Lucky that I travel fairly rarely!!! Van pool tho with Pentagon career folks [& 1 retired general - pres of Air Force memorial foundation] - seems we appreciate 0 strikes tho since 9/11 - security measures / lockups rock!!!

I get IT tho Steve - IT/BioTech leads the way to make it more efficient too - luck isn't enough for homeland health & wealth!!!

Posted by Freeman at November 20, 2004 1:05 PM