The Logic of Airport Searches

[Berzerker]

I keep hearing people complain about airport searches to prevent terrorism not focusing on Arab men and women, but on just about everyone, including elderly women. Aren't airport personnel kind of responsible if the planeload of people they've cleared through security die because someone snuck a bomb into an innocent person's luggage? If I had that burden on me, I'd try very hard to make sure the means (and intent) to destroy a plane didn't get on board.

[Sava]

Airport security is a joke... 'nuff said... the 9-11 hijackers could still do what they did to get past security today

[Drake Tungsten]

the 9-11 hijackers could still do what they did to get past security today

Who cares? No hijacker with a box cutter is going to be able to control a plane after 9/11. As long as they catch all the bombs and firearms, airport security will be a success in my book.

[Sava]

too bad something like 1% of checked baggage gets searched

[MichaeltheGreat]

blowing up planes at random is soooo last decade.

[Drake Tungsten]

It's higher than that. Many, if not all airports, check all of their baggage now.

[Zero]

airport security is like locked doors. It makes you feel safe and doesnt let lesser evil people to take advantage of absolutely no-secured situation.

[alva]

too bad something like 1% of checked baggage gets searched

If they would a full search on everyone, it would take a week for one plane to take off.

Q. would you still travel by plane, if you knew that would mean going through a strip search every time

/me takes out glove and awaits Sava's answer...

[Sava]

alva: hell yeah! I'd apply to be a searcher as well...

Drake, I don't know exact figures, but I know that less than half of all checked baggage, nationwide, is searched. Security hasn't prevented more terror attacks, terrorists haven't been trying.

[Drake Tungsten]

Security hasn't prevented more terror attacks, terrorists haven't been trying.

And you know this how? Are you an al-Qaeda sleeper agent? That would explain a lot.

[Sava]

I know this because planes haven't been blowing up...

[Drake Tungsten]

I know this because planes haven't been blowing up...

Just because planes haven't been blowing up doesn't prove that terrorists aren't trying to attack planes any longer. Improved security is an equally valid reason for the drop in terror attacks on planes.

For the record, I think it is a combination of both.

[Kuciwalker]

The Logic of Airport Searches

... does not exist

[Sava]

Statistically, if a terrorist puts ten suitcases in checked baggage, all with bombs, at least five will get through.

[Drake Tungsten]

You mind giving some actual statistics to back up your "statistical" claim?