Expert: TSA Screening Is Security Theater

By: CBSNews

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Experts say that one thing that has made air travel safer is something the airlines did: harden cockpit doors.

As for TSA's high-priced technology and its 50,000 screeners, Bruce Schneier thinks there are more effective ways to spend the money. "We take away guns and bombs so the terrorists use box cutters. So we confiscate box cutters and corkscrews and they put explosives in their shoes. We screen shoes and they use liquids. We take away liquids, and they're gonna do something else."

"So what do you do? What do you do? You just throw up your hands and…?" Stahl asked.

"Well, most security has to happen before the airport. You think about the liquid bombers who were captured in London. They were captured because of investigation and intelligence. If you want to deal with the terrorist threat, you've gotta do it before they get to the airport," Schneier said.

But Kip Hawley at TSA says we have to do both: intelligence work and screening at the airports.

"You have said some alarming things to us today. You've said, 'America is under attack,'" Stahl pointed out. "You've said, 'They're out to kill us.'"

"Some people will say that you're saying those things to scare us and to justify all the things that TSA does," Stahl said.

Hawley told Stahl that's not true.

"That what you do at the checkpoints is not really making us safer. It's just making us feel safer. It's almost like theater," Stahl added.

"Yeah, this isn't theater. This is war," Hawley said. "We understand the American public doesn't have 9/11 in the front of their mind. But it's why the TSA was created: to never forget. And that's what we do every day every shift every checkpoint is never forget. And it's our pledge to the public and our commitment to ourselves. Stop those attacks."

Produced by Karen Sughrue

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by CrankyFlier August 3, 2009 7:57 PM EDT: Sorry to burst your bubble, Mr. Hawley, but the TSA's checkpoint antics really are nothing more than "security theater" ... and not very entertaining theater at that. Thinking that the TSA is really an effective front in the "war on terror" is probably a safe thing to say when you're on your way out, but if you were sticking around you'd have a less enthusiastic opinion. For me, when I want laughable entertainment, I'll tune in to Mystery Science Theater. At least then I can't be arrested for making a sarcastic yet apt comment, as your TSA goons would be quick to do at the airport.; Reply to this comment


by even par August 3, 2009 5:00 PM EDT: The critical comments about the TSA are right on the mark, especially the obscene cost. But starting with Guliani and now Kip Hawley who are heavily invested in "terrorism" the public is afraid the lady in the next seat may be a terrorist. Scared, perhaps the public would not fly without the TSA. I know why Hawley will not tell us how many terrorists he has nabbed since 9/11. It could very well be zero! Will it be twenty years before we recognize the TSA as an elaborate and expensive scam? If terrorists are just waiting to hit us why don't they grab a Gulfstream? Even Par.; Reply to this comment


by lhaleygi August 3, 2009 1:46 PM EDT: What is wrong with America?????? People can spend all evening in line for Black Friday or hours in line for a concert ticket but no way can they spend a few extra minutes in line for their own safety. I clean at a airport and you wouldnt believe what goes on their. After 9/11 everyone was all for the extra steps to prevent another terror attackl but now they all think we are safe agian so they dont want to be bothered with TSA rules. Its sad that it tkaes a major thing happening to the United States again befor eAmericans get a reality check. I for one would stand inline at a airport for however long it takes to baord a plane and know Tsa has done everything it possibly can to make sure the passengers are safe. Wake up America we are still at WAR.; Reply to this comment


by August 3, 2009 8:01 AM EDT: I had the impression that most TSA screeners don't have the brains to work a real job where some effort is required. Since most appear to come from specific background it looks like it is make work project to bring employment so they can leave the ghetto. No real talent required to do the job except perhaps to be overweight and keep a bland stupid expression on one's face.; Reply to this comment

by kaunas8 August 3, 2009 1:50 AM EDT

On top of all the normal nonsense it now appears that the TSA is stealing from people. On a recent flight my bag was searched by the TSA, after I checked it in, and later several hundred dollars worth of medicine and clothes were taken. I called TSA but cannot even speak to a real human being but instead must fill out a form and trust that the bureaucracy can get this resolved. Your tax dollars at work.

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by August 3, 2009 8:04 AM EDT: Stealing is one of the job skills for the job and they get to wear a uniform while they do it. Well at least they are off the street and not shooting each other.


by RobertBaldridge August 2, 2009 8:11 PM EDT: I have for years before 911 set off the airport check points because of back operation and four hip operations. I wish we did not have to have the security, but to know that some nut with a gun is not on my plane is good enough for me to have the security. I do not like having to go through security, but I do APPRECIATE it.

Thank you..

Bob Baldridge, RobertBaldridge@Comcast.Net, Nashville, TN. 37215; Reply to this comment


by number1GI May 25, 2009 4:36 PM EDT: I will be traveling to............one of these days . I want to get there in one peace! ...If they want me down to my shorts and T-shirt I will..........As long as everyone else does; Reply to this comment


by ahinman2 December 25, 2008 4:19 AM EST: You have got to be Kidding! I am a former chief of security at an international airport and as the person responsible for the overall security of the airport my office was required to conduct fingerprint based background checks of all people requesting access to secure areas of the airport including TSA personnel. To my surprise and dismay I quickly learned that TSA was willing to hire convicted felons, admitted drug addicts and alcoholics even when they themselves had done a similar background check and were aware of the person%u2019s history. Remember, these people are placed in a position of great public trust and are generally given access to very sensitive information regarding personal information of members of the traveling public and current security measures. We should be very careful any time we consider giving up even the slightest of our liberty to TSA or any other agency. It might be more palatable to the general public if what TSA did was in some manner effective but as has been made public on several occasions every time the TSA is tested they fail more that %80 of the time.; Reply to this comment


by vegasjoe79 December 25, 2008 12:21 AM EST: I say let passengers, except those profiled to be dangerous, bring their guns on the plane; then any terrorist won''t know who is packing a weapon and who is not so effectively they cannot plot! Use steel doors in the cockpit withboth pilots armed and loaded.; Reply to this comment


by k_pasa December 25, 2008 12:11 AM EST: In the decade in United States, terrorists have destroyed a handful of buildings and a couple of thousand lives. Our reaction to terrorism has destroyed entire industries, destroyed countries, and killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Posted by mljohns00
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It''s also saved many thousands of lives and hundreds of buildings...not to mention firemen and police. Since when did protecting the population become a bad thing?; Reply to this comment