TSA launches blog, passengers scream in comments

The TSA has launched a new public blog and is inviting comments, many of which are from angry passengers.

(Credit: U.S. Transportation Security Administration)

Over on Boing Boing this morning, I read about the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's brand new blog, called Evolution of Security.

The idea behind the blog, according to TSA administrator Kip Hawley, is "to provide here a forum for a lively, open discussion of TSA issues. While I and senior leadership of TSA will participate in the discussion, we are turning the keyboard over to several hosts who represent what's best about TSA (its people). Our hosts aren't responsible for TSA's policies, nor will they have to defend them--their job is to engage with you straight-up and take it from there."

Well, so far, at least, it appears the public has grabbed its opportunity to speak directly to the TSA and is, well, shall we say, expressing itself rather vehemently.

"The TSA liquid policy is ludicrous and indefensible," wrote a commenter called "doctor anonymous." "It suggests that 6 oz of liquid can blow up a plane but two 3-oz containers can't. In addition, it was instituted in the wake of an impossible plot--the London bombing plot in 2006 supposedly entailed the manufacture of TATP aboard an aircraft with precursors brought aboard. But, of course, this is impossible. Synthesis of TATP is difficult--as I learned long ago in Chemistry class in a pre-9/11 world--enough in a laboratory, requiring careful control of temperature, and many hours of drying time. It couldn't be done in an airplane lav."

Or this one, from an anonymous poster: "Dear fear mongering air gestapo, While I appreciate your attempt to tell people that your agency is staffed by human beings with a difficult job, that doesn't mean their job is worthy of respect.

"TSA: Preventing implausible threats while unable to cope with tests for real ones, all the while saying 'papers please' and destroying America."

Of course, some comments are more positive than that. Many TSA employees, for example, have written in to praise their organization for launching the blog, on the theory that opening a dialog is a good thing. And even some purported passengers seem to think the TSA is doing the best it can.

On the whole, however, I hope TSA personnel are able to hear the kind of criticism they're sure to get over the next few days and weeks without pulling the plug on this.

I actually think the blog is a very good idea if some sort of progress comes from the back and forth. If the TSA simply ignores the comments and the suggestions made by the people who fly every day, then it is a useless waste of bandwidth.

Though, giving frustrated people a place to vent is always valuable, right?

[ittesi259]

Not all TSA's fault

People blast "TSA Policy" for their issues on boarding airplanes...but in my own observation at airports, the problem is people did not heed the airlines advice on arrival times or didn't bother reading instructions that came with their tickets.

I believe the appropriate response to the above specific scenarios is "Your failure to plan does not constitute an emergency on my part".

Of course I knew about the Lithium Battery changes before my friend (a TSA screener of 5 years) so like all organizations there is a communications problem.

[JoeF2]

It IS their fault

For example, in early January, I flew in from Europe. I was screened there already, so why in the world did I have to go through security here again??? Do they really think it is possible to get something to blow up a plane at customs???
The long lines actually resulted in me missing my connecting flight...

[Had_to_be_said]

Maybe not ALL their fault...

...after all, our idiot-President (along with his supporters) has repeatedly referred to the ENTIRELY BOGUS, and UTTERLY-DEBUNKED, inflight-liquid-bomb-assembly-terrorist-plot FRAUD (and, even, claimed credit for preventing it), over, ...and over, ...and over. He fairly routinely uses this SHAM as one of his, many, ongoing justifications for turning the United States into a totalitarian police-state. In fact, Bush actually referred to this, particular, HOKUM again... just a couple of days ago in his LAST (thank God) "State of the Nation" speech. Either, he literally doesnt know reality, from delusion, at this point (entirely possible, based upon the amount of "medications" he has reputedly been-on during his Presidency)... Or, he still hopes that by simply lying enough times, to the American-People, that they will finally, actually, begin believing this complete-nonsense... again.

So... Id say... it is entirely possible that the incompetent TSA-bureaucrats, and airport-screeners, are just following this psychotic-buffoons lead... and not, just taking advantage of this "security" situation to satisfy their own, personal, power-trips. Maybe...

[USDecliningDollar]

Meanwhile - up and down at the US Canadian / Mexican borders ...

Zero protection at the Canadian and Mexican borders. Tons of drugs are driven across the border - daily. So TSA is protecting us at the airports how? In the midst of driving the tons of drugs across the border, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that someone could put in a few surface to air missiles, RPGs, shoulder launched missiles, etc. which could bring down practically any plane at any airport, any day of the week.

Meanwhile, TSA screens my blond haired, blue eyed, <5ft < 100lb wife 2 times on the way to the plane. On another trip my father who is wheelchair bound for all but the shortest of walks in practically strip searched right there at TSA. And now, for a price - at many airports, you can purchase a "Clear" card which guarantees a < 2 min security line wait.

At DIA in Denver - over half of the airport workers are from East African countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eretria - etc. all of which just baffles me beyond belief.