I’m a veteran of counter-terrorism work for the feds; physical security was my speciality.
As an observation, airport security as run by TSA is a bad joke. But not the least bit funny, since red teams (testing security) routinely get weapons through checkpoints.
What to do? Stop the nonsensical focus on things people might bring on board a plane. Start looking at people: how they are dressed (e.g. appropriate for the season/destination?); how they behave (too nervous? too calm?); what they are carrying.
Most importantly, profile, profile, profile. Yes, there have been blond, blue-eyed hijackers. But the overwhelming majority of the threat comes from men and women of Middle Eastern ancestry, particularly men between 15 and 45.
That doesn’t mean ignore everyone else; it just means look more closely at those more likely to pose a threat.
Unfortunately, to be effective in this kind of screening requires more and better-trained people. Much better than the current crop of screeners I experienced on two recent flights (who were very nice and polite but did not strike me as security professionals).
Know this: it will cost more. But the TSA is one of our first lines of defense. Surely this would be money well-spent.
