Skip to main content

Today's Poll: Do you believe TSA rules are effective in protecting airline passengers?

By Howard B. Owens
Jeff Allen

I voted no in the poll but bear in mind that I am only an average citizen who flies 2-3 times a year and is not attuned to the intricate workings of our air safety program. For expert analysis I must rely on those charged with that responsibility. Our Dept. of Homeland Security chief Napolitano said that the Christmas day incident was proof that "the system worked". I guess if you can be on a list with known ties to Al Quaida, have had your father notify authorities with concerns about your activities, pass the ticket gate with incomplete documentation but claim to be Sudanese, get through security with explosives in your underwear, and finally rely on the fact that a detonator failed and quick thinking passengers acted selflessly, then yes, the system worked perfectly.
Despite the fact that this guy possessed ample amount of PETN to bring down the plane, the incident must not be as alarming as we perceive since our White House Press Secretary has said that the only concrete action the President has taken is to order a review of our screening and of the threat lists.
If this were of real concern to the American public, certainly our President would take a few minutes out of his vacation to address the nation on the second Islamist terror attack on our soil during his administration. But this was 3 days ago, so we must be overreacting.
All we need now is Joe Biden on TV saying he wouldn't put his family on a plane anytime soon.

Dec 28, 2009, 9:49am Permalink
Charlie Mallow

I would say the rules have been very effective. For the last ten years terrorists have not figured out a way to get around. In fact, in the only two reported cases of attempts, these terrorists have done nothing but set themselves on fire.

We live in a very reactionary society. One bit of news seems to swing the masses into wanting to overreact. That overreaction comes at the cost of what little liberty we have left.

Dec 28, 2009, 9:39am Permalink
Peter O'Brien

I heard a group of idiots on the radio a couple days ago saying they would be ok with more security.

Risk is the cost of Freedom.

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Dec 28, 2009, 11:45am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I read this else where: "The TSA: protecting you from yesterday's dangers tomorrow."

I don't have too much of a problem with the TSA though. I think security measures in the US have worked pretty well and I've grown us to the security process.

The new rules announced a few days ago bothered me -- but then I read they will expire in a couple of days.

Dec 28, 2009, 11:53am Permalink
Jeff Allen

The problem of Christmas day was not one of insufficient screening, it was one of insufficient fortitude to offend those who have alreday been tagged as potential problems. This guy was already on a watch list, and had been reported by his father for his activities. In a system that is effective, we put those people through additional security checks. A good patdown, full body screeening, or dog sniffing would have revealed the threat. However, as usuaul we will now hold up junior and granny doing extra searches on people who will never be a threat. The Isreali's use a system of profiling, yes, profiling that allows those who would obviuosly never be a threat pass quickly, and those who trigger a pre-set profile get additional attention. The result? 100% success rate at averting threats on airliners.

Dec 28, 2009, 4:22pm Permalink

Authentically Local