Has the TSA ever saved the day?

[zaphod2016]

Every time I see the TSA in the news, they are implementing some offensive new security measure and angrying up my blood. So, in the interest of balancing out my own anti-TSA bias, can anyone share any stories wherein the TSA has saved the day?

Has the TSA ever caught a mad bomber red-handed en route to a plane?

Can someone give me a concrete example wherein this security theatre actually prevented a violent crime?

 

[T.A.M.]

Likely it is a combination of incompetence, and playing catch up, that makes them appear useless.

Any better suggestions as to a new department, or should we just hire blackwater to do screening? That should be fun...

In all seriousness though, what is your particular beef, and what do you see as the solution.

TAM

 

[zaphod2016]

In all seriousness though, what is your particular beef, and what do you see as the solution.

TAM

I'm not a criminal, and I'm offended when treated like one.

I do not enjoy the process of airline security, although, I understand the prevailing theory- the TSA is a necessary evil to keep us safe.

Ok, reasonable theory. Now I'm testing it. Surely someone on JREF can find an example where TSA saved the day, and thus illustrated that they are in fact offering some observable security in exchange for the burdens they place on my constitutional right to travel freely from state to state.

I'm not trying to settle the security v. freedom debate, that debate is eternal. All I want here is the name of a flight that would have blown up, if not for the millions and millions of our hard-earned tax dollars going to the TSA.

This way, the next time my naked body is being photographed, or I'm watching some unknown TSA agent grope my wife, I can close my eyes and repeat as a mantra whichever flight it is they saved.

Fair enough?

Of course, if no one at JREF can find any such news story, I would be disappointed, but not wholly surprised.

 

[WildCat]

I'd rather risk the 1/10,000,000 chance of getting blown up than fondled by a stranger every time I board a plane.

And just as child molesters are drawn to jobs that offer contact with children you can be sure the TSA is attracting pervs with a fetish for fondling.

I can't believe people will put up with this crap, this is why I now drive anywhere within 2,000 miles. I haven't flown since 2005, flying is fast becoming a dehumanizing experience.

 

[T.A.M.]

I'd rather risk the 1/10,000,000 chance of getting blown up than fondled by a stranger every time I board a plane.

And just as child molesters are drawn to jobs that offer contact with children you can be sure the TSA is attracting pervs with a fetish for fondling.

I can't believe people will put up with this crap, this is why I now drive anywhere within 2,000 miles. I haven't flown since 2005, flying is fast becoming a dehumanizing experience.

1. While I agree that some security implementations are perhaps less or even non effective, don't you think if we had none, that the 1/10,000,000 chance would dramatically increase?

2. So does that mean that my profession attracts more pervs? Does it mean that the military attracts men with a fetish for communal showers? Does Football attract men who like reaching between another mans legs? Seriously?

TAM

 

[Cleon]

I'd rather risk the 1/10,000,000 chance of getting blown up than fondled by a stranger every time I board a plane.

Depends on the stranger. Get the TSA to hire Shakira and I think the airlines would see a real turnaround in ticket sales...

 

[Myriad]

You are making an unwarranted assumption that the only valid purpose of security measures is to thwart active attempts at attacks.

Under that same assumption, one could assert that NATO's entire strategic forces from 1950 through the 1990s were useless because no one can point to any Soviet invasion of western Europe that was stopped by those forces. Or that my car ignition lock is useless because I cannot name anyone who attempted to steal my car but was thwarted by that lock.

Respectfully,
Myriad

 

[WildCat]

1. While I agree that some security implementations are perhaps less or even non effective, don't you think if we had none, that the 1/10,000,000 chance would dramatically increase?

Simple metal detectors are enough to detect the weapons used on 9/11, only problem is small knives were allowed on board then. I'm not aware of any hijackings in the US that metal detectors would not have prevented, but genital groping would have.

Scanning bags is fine, they don't need to scan people.

2. So does that mean that my profession attracts more pervs?

8 years of a difficult higher education and several years of grueling residency weeds out 99% of the riff-raff. To become a TSA agent all you need is a GED and a clean criminal record. These are not high-paying jobs, $12-$15/hr IIRC.

Does it mean that the military attracts men with a fetish for communal showers?

Again, that's a lot of committment just to peep, which you could do at the local YMCA instead.

Does Football attract men who like reaching between another mans legs? Seriously?

Oh please...

 

[WildCat]

You are making an unwarranted assumption that the only valid purpose of security measures is to thwart active attempts at attacks.

I'm under no such illusions. I think this is geared towards fighting not terrorism, but the completely mindless constitution-eroding War on Drugs.

Terrorism is just the sales pitch.

 

[DavidJames]

I suggest airlines and government implement two classes of flights, "Secure with inconvenience and possible fondling" and "Libertopia style, the market will take care of security".

Flight numbers should have a prefix to designate which flights are which.

Please book your flights accordingly.

 

[T.A.M.]

Simple metal detectors are enough to detect the weapons used on 9/11, only problem is small knives were allowed on board then. I'm not aware of any hijackings in the US that metal detectors would not have prevented, but genital groping would have.

Scanning bags is fine, they don't need to scan people.


8 years of a difficult higher education and several years of grueling residency weeds out 99% of the riff-raff. To become a TSA agent all you need is a GED and a clean criminal record. These are not high-paying jobs, $12-$15/hr IIRC.


Again, that's a lot of committment just to peep, which you could do at the local YMCA instead.


Oh please...

well the last two were meant more tongue in cheek, but you get my point, and I get yours.

I am no security expert, but yes, I agree unless you are looking for drugs, a body cavity and genital search are a bit much. but the liquid bomb component issue does leave some discretion for a bit more then an xray scan.

TAM

 

[Aoidoi]

Nobody ever fondles me at the airport.

I feel so left out.

 

[leftysergeant]

As I posotb this, we have a real-world incident on-going. What appears to be a dangerous device has been detected on an arriving aircraft. We might want to hold off a bit on assessing how well security is working.

 

[zaphod2016]

I'd rather risk the 1/10,000,000 chance of getting blown up than fondled by a stranger every time I board a plane.

At last! A subject on which we can agree!

And just as child molesters are drawn to jobs that offer contact with children you can be sure the TSA is attracting pervs with a fetish for fondling.

I had a similar, related thought. Do children go through these same "nude" scanners? Doesn't that constitute "child pornography"? And assuming I refuse to allow my child through the scanner, I assume this means they must consent to a frisking instead.

So the choice has become: a) allow us to photograph your child naked or b) allow us to grope your child.

I'm not even a parent and this hurts my stomach. Parents! WTF?!

You are making an unwarranted assumption that the only valid purpose of security measures is to thwart active attempts at attacks.

Forgive me if I'm being naive, but if the TSA isn't there to thwart active attempts at attacks, then, uh... why are they there?

 

[leftysergeant]

They just intercepted a bomb in Yemen and one in New York. Let's wait and see whether any part of TSA was involved in the intercept.

Apparently the system is working as well now as it did under Clinton and better than it did under the merry morons who ran it between 2001 and 2009.

 

[zaphod2016]

I suggest airlines and government implement two classes of flights, "Secure with inconvenience and possible fondling" and "Libertopia style, the market will take care of security".

Flight numbers should have a prefix to designate which flights are which.

Please book your flights accordingly.

Assuming I get to carry my glock and smoke a J in flight (for my nerves, you see) I'll pony up cash for the first ride on Libertopia right now.

That sounds like a good movie.

(announcer voice) This summer...the market will (ch-click) take care of security...

You do realize, even if you eat broccoli, don't smoke, and do 1,000 sit-ups a day, you'll still die, right? I'm all for taking care of oneself, but I also have no doubt I could drop a fool with a boxcutter long before we approached any cities filled with innocents.

If armed passengers is too "wild west" for your taste, why not an armed Air Marshall?

Hell, I could pitch practical ideas for stopping terrorists all day long, and interestingly, none involve frisking or photographing naked children.

 

[zaphod2016]

They just intercepted a bomb in Yemen and one in New York. Let's wait and see whether any part of TSA was involved in the intercept.

Apparently the system is working as well now as it did under Clinton and better than it did under the merry morons who ran it between 2001 and 2009.

I have always suspected "they" are reading my thoughts. Now I have proof.

Weird coincidence, though. Here's hoping everyone turns out ok.

Bomb scare as explosive packages found on planes bound for US

American authorities were carrying out checks at several locations, including airports, as security officials sought to determine whether al-Qaida-inspired terrorists had found new vulnerability in western security.

No mention of the TSA though- or- is the TSA inferred by "American authorities"?

 

[T.A.M.]

I will never understand the Bruce Willis - like, "carry my glock" mentality many Americans have...

TAM

 

[thaiboxerken]

I'd rather risk the 1/10,000,000 chance of getting blown up than fondled by a stranger every time I board a plane..

Conservatives, tough on security until it becomes inconvenient to them.

 

[Ziggurat]

Simple metal detectors are enough to detect the weapons used on 9/11, only problem is small knives were allowed on board then. I'm not aware of any hijackings in the US that metal detectors would not have prevented, but genital groping would have.

Hijackings aren't the only threat.