The TSA is broken (and how we can fix it)

Some of this post is an expansion of a Facebook article that I previously wrote. At this point, I think everyone except the federal government realizes that the process for preventing air terrorism is completely and utterly broken; it’s nothing more than a performance to make us feel comfortable about getting on a plane. Yet the very fact that I’m saying this puts me at more risk of being singled out for extra screening when I fly. As Gizmodo writes,

CNN has recently obtained a list of 70 “behavioral indicators” that the TSA uses to identify potentially high risk passengers and one of ’em is if you complain about the TSA.

How does this even make sense? Believe me, when I get on a plane, I want to get to my destination. I’m complaining about the TSA because I feel that their current techniques don’t identify high-risk passengers or do enough to weed out potential threats.

I think one of the biggest problems with the current situation is that people lose track of the underlying assumptions of air travel security, and thus the debate gets distorted and we start arguing over points that are basically irrelevant to keeping the skies safe. Let’s assume that there was absolutely no air security, people could bring whatever they wanted on an airplane, and do basically whatever they feel like while the plane is in the air. It would be nice to think that everything would work perfectly, but realistically, we know that just isn’t possible.

Therefore, there has to be at least some kind of tradeoff between individual rights and the rights of everyone else. Hence, prohibiting weapons, explosives, etc, is extremely reasonable in exchange for getting people across the country in just a few hours. Again, it would be nice to be able to make these rules and just assume that everyone would abide by them, but we know that’s not going to happen either. So there has to be some way to detect when people are attempting to sneak rule-breaking items onto an airplane.

HOWEVER, the point of the TSA is to prevent terrorism — and terrorism isn’t limited to just people in airplanes. For those of you who haven’t flown since the early 1900’s, I’ll let you in on a little secret: you still walk into an airport without passing a single security checkpoint. That means that a suicide bomber could walk into Logan Airport during the holidays, when the most people are traveling, blow himself to bits, and in the process kill hundreds of people, shut down air travel across the country temporarily, and no doubt shut down Logan for at least a few days. All without coming in contact with a single TSA agent. Therefore, whatever screening methods the TSA uses on passengers boarding a plane is virtually irrelevant for the purposes of preventing air travel terrorism. It’s the principle of the weakest link.

Secondly, let’s talk about the TSA’s screening procedures. According to multiple sources (this Wired article is an example), the new ‘nude’ body scanners are completely ineffective at detecting hidden explosives:

Some research claims the machines — which produce a virtual nude image of the body — might not detect explosives or even guns taped to a person’s body. The U.S. government has reservations about their efficacy, as well. And even proponents of the technology concede the machines are not designed to detect so-called “booty bombs” — explosive devices concealed inside the human body.“It’s not a possibility of the technology,” said Peter Kant, executive vice president of Los Angeles-based Rapiscan Systems, which has deployed 250 of its backscatter X-ray devices and another 250 are on the way. “None of the body scanners used by TSA are capable of doing that. They’re not designed to do that nor is it a requirement.”

In other words, an actual terrorist would have far greater odds of success by simply going through the backscatter x-ray machine. However, let’s say you’re someone like me and refuse to submit to a violation of your 4th Amendment privacy rights. Your other option is to get a highly invasive patdown — and yes, that includes all of you 6-year-old girls. Wait a second… this sounds like I’m getting my right to privacy violated either way. Also just as further food for thought, Homeland Security has made a statement that they can do this whenever I travel, despite the fact that the law doesn’t even allow strip searches on criminals unless there is a reasonable suspicion that they’re carrying weapons or contraband. Yeah, that’s right, you have less of a right to privacy than a criminal.

Okay, enough ranting. What can be done to prevent all forms of air terrorism? The answer, believe it or not, is nothing. Just like there’s no way to entirely eliminate computer malware. And there’s no way to ensure that when you’re out driving your car, you won’t be hit by a drunk driver. And quite honestly, you can never be 100% sure that the chef didn’t spit in your food. My point being, there is always going to be some measure of risk in life, but there are certain steps we can take to minimize it.

First, to secure the planes, we could implement a system similar to the Israeli Airlines’ flight security measures, with dual cockpit doors, armed air marshals, and reinforced floors separating the passenger compartment from the baggage hold.

Secondly, better airport screening. If I could make a prediction, I’d say that the next big terrorist strike won’t be against an airplane, but an airport or similar travel terminal. A lightweight pre-screening process (such as a roadblock a mile or two from the airport) would ensure that many threats would be eliminated before even entering the terminal.

Lastly, a smaller but highly trained force of TSA agents would be far more effective than the current partially-unionized group of poorly-paid high school graduates. You want to know what it takes to protect our skies? A GED and the ability to pass a computerized test. If this sounds like the life for you, just apply here.

In summary, I have full confidence that it is possible to effectively secure air travel in America. I just don’t think our government is willing to do it.