by Denny » Fri 16 May 2008, 16:50:06
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'O')f course it's all a sham. If terrorists wanted to hijack a plane, they wouldn't have a hard time doing it.
So true. Let's face it, you can threaten someone with all kinds of possible items I would not bother listing here, which could pass screening, to exert a similar level of control the 9/11 hijackers did. The TSA and the screenig is a facade to make the public (everywhere, not just the USA) think their government is really on the job.
Same thing with all the passport inspections and controls before screening. We all seem to forget the hijackers were legal aliens with all the associated documentation. But, I think there is soemthing more sinister afoot with the paperwork and possible retinal scans, etc. And, that is to leave a trace so the authorities can track anybody who flies. Maybe the next thing will be mandatory GPS units on cars to do the same. (Some believe the GPS chip on cell phones can be used to track ones whereabouts.)
Likely the most beneficial change undertaken after 9/11 was to enforce use of a locked physical barrier between the passenger part of the cabin and the cockpit. That relatively small investment, compared to the ongoing billions likely spent on screeeing passegners annually.