Security Foolishness Brought to You by TSA

Schneier here points out how so much of the properties seized by the TSA at airport checkpoint just show what a failure the TSA's security precautions are a failure. I think the case he sites isn't the best, since the sited PA. Supreme Court Judge intentionally attempted to bypass the checkpoint with an item he was told he couldn't take in carry on. Personally, I believe the Swiss army knife is close enough to the line that it should be disallowed.

Though there are many other examples of sheer stupidity that the TSA is failing when the seize and item. Gun shaped tie clips or key chains, silver bullet key chains from the NRA, etc. All obviously not weapons, but still seized.

Stupid Security has this entry with links to a report on what appears to be obvious TSA harassment of a passenger who got "snippy." Her statement was foolish, but was obviously not threatening.

Dr. Esha Khoshnu made threatening remarks at a Phoenix ticket counter to airline officials saying there was an explosive onboard an America West jet. The Transportation Security Administration said Khoshnu was acting "mouthy and snippy."

Khoshnu apparently said, "If I had a bomb, you wouldn't find it."

But then:

After questioning, Khoshnu was later released by the FBI. The Assistant U.S. Attorney decided that her actions did not merit charges.

This article explains further:

The disgruntled passenger, Esha Khoshnu, is a psychiatrist from New Jersey. According to Alpha Behavioral Care's Web site, Khoshnu is a Yale-educated psychiatrist who has special training in "crisis intervention."

It gets better, they not only allowed her luggage to get on the plane that she wasn't allowed to board, but then they took the luggage, which they had to have screened prior to putting on the plane, and they then blew it up. Now they are going to charge her for it.

Authorities in Phoenix said Khoshnu is not going to be charged with a crime but that she may have to pay for the search and destruction of her luggage, which could cost about $10,000.

So, the TSA over reacted to a non-threatening statement, violated regulations in allowing the luggage on the plane, must have failed security if they didn't properly screen the luggage in the first place, then destroyed her property and are going to charge her. I don't see any failures or incompetence here. Again, the public servant has become the public master and is not culpable for their own stupidity and the related actions.

Another Stupid Security Article has a brief entry about a private security firm responsible for airport security in Frisco apparently cheated when being tested. My confidence in airline safety increases yet again.

I won't even go into the simplicity of dodging the no-fly list.

Is the TSA supposed to provide us at least the security of regular police? My former job was in the nuclear (Nukular!) industry and any such behavior would have gotten your ass in a major sling fast. Security? Is it better now? Maybe, but the TSA is doing there best to fail in making it effective.