[jeffcoat]

ABC ran pretty much this same story in 2010:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded-gun-slips-past-tsa-scre...

  According to one report, undercover TSA agents
  testing security at a Newark airport terminal on
  one day in 2006 found that TSA screeners failed
  to detect concealed bombs and guns 20 out of 22 times.

  A 2007 government audit leaked to USA Today revealed
  that undercover agents were successful slipping simulated
  explosives and bomb parts through Los Angeles's LAX
  airport in 50 out of 70 attempts, and at Chicago's
  O'Hare airport agents made 75 attempts and succeeded
  in getting through undetected 45 times.

[sdoering]

Meaning, that the system did not work then and does not work today in providing security. It only seems to be there to instill the feeling of security in Jane/Joe Average.

So it really seems to be just security theater...

It is not designed to work - and you could argue it being this way by design. It detects the idiots (smugglers & the little guys, et al) - but if something severe happens the only consequences are making the system more secure by adding to it. not by questioning it. That way the systems is kept alive and politicians have the ability to be seen doing something, after a tragedy happens. Everyone is happy - except Mrs. Taxpayer - but she does not get asked.

# cynisism of

[rayiner]

TSA isn't theater so much as it is insurance. Do you want to be the President or political party that disbands TSA? Look at how much flak Hilary Clinton got for a few Americans dying in an actual warzone. What do you think happens when terrorists blow up a flight from Topeka to Minneapolis, whether or not TSA would've stopped it?

As for Mrs. Taxpayer, she does get asked, and she supports the TSA: http://www.gallup.com/poll/156491/americans-views-tsa-positi.... Only 12-13% of people polled think TSA is doing a bad job or isn't effective.

[k2enemy]

The TSA is also succeeding in another one of their goals. Their very public and very disruptive "security" measures are a visceral reminder that reinforces people's beliefs that there are terrorists behind every corner and that we need to be protected from them. And as long as we're afraid of terrorists the government can institute more sinister measures such as mass surveillance and domestic spying.

[a3n]

> It only seems to be there to instill the feeling of security in Jane/Joe Average.

Or the feeling of fear.

[jakeogh]

"It only seems to be there to instill the feeling of security in Jane/Joe Average"

Or worse; it's there to condition us.

[gesman]

Failed TSA agents would reply - "...ohh but we saw that these were only simulated explosives and we let them through as they didn't pose any danger!"

[dsl]

I have worked with simulated explosives in the past for training. They are designed to be nearly indistinguishable from the real thing, and have trace amounts of material that will cause detectors and trained dogs to trigger.

Literally the only thing that saves you from going to super jail when working with these types of objects is a signed letter of authorization.