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8 Years On, Critics Call Airport Security 'Theater'

Critics see cockeyed focus on 'pointy objects,' none on real threats

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2009 6:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – Billions of dollars in spending since 9/11 has given airport security officers plenty of ways to catch terrorists—but are critics right in calling it "security theater"? Take the “millimeter wave whole body imager,” which pinpoint “anomalies” on your person: Sure, it will spot a handgun, or a sharp object, but one critic says explosives detection is more relevant in an age of secure cockpit doors, NPR reports.

“We're wasting immense amounts of time and manpower searching through people's bags for little knives and pointy objects, and taking harmless liquids away from people,” says Patrick Smith, a commercial pilot and Salon blogger. Meanwhile, airport personnel squeak by security too easily, says Rep. Peter DeFazio: “Our original vision was that everybody ... would have to go through screening.”

Airline passengers line up at the TSA security check.
Airline passengers line up at the TSA security check.   (AP Photo)
Mary-Carroll Lee ties her shoe at the Los Angeles International Airport after having gone through a security screening.
Mary-Carroll Lee ties her shoe at the Los Angeles International Airport after having gone through a security screening.   (AP Photo)
TSA officers screen carry-on baggage.
TSA officers screen carry-on baggage.   (AP Photo)
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When I came to Congress, the level of security at the airport couldn't even find a fully assembled .45 in a briefcase with a pair of socks and a pair of underwear.
- Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
BlahBlahBlah
Sep 14, 2009 9:35 AM CDT
I don't know the guy with the rubber glove was very gentle. He even gave me a reach around……. Joke….. believable though.
Susanb1
Sep 12, 2009 12:53 PM CDT
Today (9/11/09), I was removed from an airport security line because the screeners suspected something dangerous in my carry-on. They found it and removed it. It was a small container of homemade bean soup! But, I'm not complain- ing! I expected extra vigilance today!
JonmarkP
Sep 12, 2009 12:10 PM CDT
You're more likely to die in a vending machine accident than you are from any sort of terrorism-Jesus, enough with the bullshit already.

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