TSA Security Theater Described In One Simple Infographic
from the theater-of-the-absurd dept
Didier J. MARY points us to an infographic highlighting why the TSA's security theater has been such a huge waste of taxpayer money:![](https://i.imgur.com/vBJAX.gif)
![Hide This Hide this](https://ii.techdirt.com/s/t/i/topclose.png)
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Filed Under: infographic, security theater, tsa
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Great Job
[ link to this | view in thread ]
I've seen many of these so-called "info-graphics" that are nothing more than unattractive typestyle masturbation exercises. "Ooh, a grungy filter, that'll make it look great!" It's pixel barf, sliding down a long wall.
If the data is more clearly demonstrated visually, use a graphic, and make it clear. If the data is just a series of bullet points or better expressed in prose, don't feel compelled to make a two-meter-tall PowerPoint slide out of it.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
There are plenty of good solid reasons for hating the TSA without resorting to this type of garbage.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
So...
...
No wonder the United States is broke.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
We'll wait.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
whilst working for TSA, in a supposedly responsible, highly-controversial position dealing with the public and public safety, steal $40,000 and get 5 months jail time when caught.
OR
sharing a few songs, get fined millions of dollars, have your life totally and forever fucked up by a bunch of absolute morons
answers on a postcard please!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Who cares about knives? The only reason knives worked on 9/11 is that in all the previous hijackings, the worst the passengers got was a week in Havanna or some random not-so friendly country. Then they went home and no body was seriously injured. Now, no sane passenger will let a plane be hijacked by people with knives now. Hell, taking over a plane with knives didn't even work more than an hour on 9/11 before that tactic was rendered obsolete over PA.
The other issue is the huge waste of money to cover X vulnerability, while Y obvious one is left open. To date, it's those other vulnerabilities that have been exploited (e.g, getting past security in a foreign country).
[ link to this | view in thread ]
So pack your bags and come see the show! You won't feel any safer when you leave but you're sure to have bad time!
Now playing at an airport near you!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Last parts of the graphic
[ link to this | view in thread ]
On its current trajectory, the US should implode by 2030
Ah, Capitalism, thy name is Death.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Last parts of the graphic
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Last parts of the graphic
Private security wouldnt cost the US taxpayers 60 billion dollars, and likely be far more effective.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
TSA agent among 55 caught in kid porn net
TSA agent among 55 caught in kid porn net
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061123719
Cops snared 55 Massachusetts men in a sweeping, multi-agency child pornography crackdown � including a Transportation Security Administration officer assigned to Logan International Airport who is just the latest embarrassment for the troubled federal agency.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Just look at the data: it has been unable to prevent the occurrence of 9/11 every year since its creation. And, if the current trend continues, we will have yet another 9/11 this year, in early September.
The TSA should be looking at work done in this area by it's European counterparts. For example, ancient Roman experts have long introduced measures to ensure that the threat of 2/29 only occurs once every 4 years. That's a 300% reduction in the number of occurrences, a real success story.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Will private airport security grope you at a better price tag than TSA?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Not really, private security would still have to follow the TSA's rules for what to/how to search for threats, so they wouldn't be any less invasive. They could add their own security searches/etc if they want to however. Also the cost would be shifted onto airline passengers, since who do you think pays for private screeners?
Also I doubt that the private screeners really save any money, regardless of who pays for them, seeing as TSA workers at airports ALREADY make minimum wage. That's part of why their yearly turnover rate is over 100%, it's not a pleasant job to do, nor is it pleasant having people constantly angry with you over the invasive things you're being paid to do.
The only way you can possibly save more money then hiring minimum wage people is to hire less people, which means longer lines and waits, or buying expensive new equipment that's supposed to speed up the process (like the full body scanners, that are very invasive).
[ link to this | view in thread ]
35,000 security violations? How does that compare to (a) number of checkpoints, (b) number of travellers, (c) number of travelled miles by passengers in the system?
It's pretty obvious that someone is trying to do a one sided hatchet job. It's ugly and misleading.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
There are places where one highly qualified individual with the right tools can do the job of 20 unqualified grunts with poor equipment. That tends to be cheaper in the long run.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Here's an alternative to TSA
I've never gotten used to the awkward belt de-robbing, the absurd .001 liquid rules, and the mounting disrespect for humanity while traveling past security in any airport in US. I've never seen a group of individuals so entitled to control your belongings and strip you not only of your clothing but your dignity.
What I also can't get used to is being charged for my bags to be boarded each time I fly when I know the airlines are just as inefficiently run as TSA. I can't control the TSA just yet (leave that to Congress), but I can take my bags away from the airlines and send them ahead of time. I ship my bags each time I fly. They pick up from my door and send to my end destination, allowing me to better handle the de-humanzing and often stressful travel experience. I use www.lugless.com, they are pretty great and pricing is very similar to what airlines charge for checked bags.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
The real meaning of TSA is...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: On its current trajectory, the US should implode by 2030
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: So...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
And notice from the graphic that the bureaucracy is getting paid much more than minimum wage. As with anything paid for with taxes, there is little incentive to lower costs. Over time it just becomes a huge hierarchy of bureaucrats leeching off of us.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
We will never know. If a terrorist chose not to attack the US on US territory because an attack from a US airport was no longer easy, they may have stopped many attacks.
It's like asking how many robberies your locked front door on your house stops. You might only find out if you leave your front door wide open for a few weeks to see.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: So...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: The real meaning of TSA is...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
Are you sure it wasn't the magic pebble I've been carrying since October 2001?
Any terrorist with the backing, intelligence and dedication of the 9/11 terrorists could commit an act of mass murder on U.S. soil without boarding an airplane. Granted, killing thousands in a single attack (or two) would be difficult, and the drama of 9/11 would be almost impossible to beat, but people like that wouldn't be stopped by current airport security measures even if current airport security measures worked as intended, which they don't.
So can we please stop this "look, no attacks since we banned nail clippers" routine?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
You have failed to prove that tigers were attacking you before you got the candle, and that things have changed since.
We have 9/11 as proof that we were being attacked before.
Where is your tiger, bad analogy man?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: So...
Nah. Scientists are plenty smart, but darn it, they just love the truth too much to tell the public that we a new state-of-the-art orbital telescope every year to keep us safe from imaginary monsters.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: So...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
We were attacked before, since then they have let terrorist slip through and constant security mishaps with not one terrorist actually physically stopped. Current TSA is no more of a psychological deterrence than the old private security forces were.
Its like saying replacing my front door made of wood with one made of iron will prevent future break ins even when I dont change my back door or any of my windows.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
Could you provide your source for this? Other than the infographic above, it seems like I've read that TSA workers in the field make well over minimum wage. Probably not in the 6 digit range, but definitely not minimum wage.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
As an aside, I googled "35,000 security violations" and the first link was your post, which Google seemed to think occurred 6 days ago.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
It's like asking how many robberies your locked front door on your house stops. You might only find out if you leave your front door wide open for a few weeks to see.
Interesting... Because on the subject of the social networking patent thicket, you said:
Please show me an example of companies that have been forced out of the social media / interactive business because of patents.
Double standard much? Maybe we should leave the doors of patents wide open for a few weeks to see!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
You don't have that though. It would be about like getting attacked by a tiger in your home in Colorado and then installing anti-tiger measures and claiming they are keeping out the tigers. You have no clue if it is working or if that was the only one anyway.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: The real meaning of TSA is...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
> of data. How many terrorists has the TSA stopped?
I'm no fan of the TSA, but that's an unfair question.
It's like asking how many assassinations the Secret Service has prevented this year. No one has been arrested for trying to kill the president, but there's no way of knowing how many people were deterred from even trying based on the hard target perception the Secret Service creates with its protective policies and procedures.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
You guys are pathetic sometimes.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: On its current trajectory, the US should implode by 2030
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
* others experience similar results with their favorite deity/symbol.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
Remember what Bush said: "they hate us because we are free". The obvious solution was to remove freedom. This objective has been consistently pursued by the Bush and Obama regimes.
Why would any terrorist need to attack the US, when the US government is doing exactly what the terrorists want?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Let me get this straight...
But we can get the same result by privatizing airport security, and save $1 Billion per year, so let's privatize.
Am I the only one baffled by that conclusion?
It's about time the US looked outside its borders for security ideas that work. If we did that, we'd also discover that the current crop of scanners that has enriched Chertoff and others have been banned in other countries, due to health concerns.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Somebody Should Make And Sell T-Shirts With This
... oh wait, you can�t, because it�s licensed NC.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
This is about a taxpayer funded public security agency that has yet to prove that it's done much of anything it was set up to do and costs an arm and several legs to keep going. Not only that but it's had 200 or more theft allegations against it and it's employees, selectively screens by all reports and can't even keep objects off aircraft that it's supposed to that the old method of metal detectors would have intercepted. All of which is on the record.
I'm inclined to believe that it could be done more efficiently and for less privately rather than by this lot.
Taxpayers do deserve and have a right to expect a bang for their buck not incompetence which is what TSA is being shown as being. The two are completely different.
FAIL.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Somebody Should Make And Sell T-Shirts With This
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Last parts of the graphic
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Somebody Should Make And Sell T-Shirts With This
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Stopping Terrorists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
TSA should stand for timewasting scamming assholes
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Last parts of the graphic
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
Patents might take 10 years or more for us to see a change. It isn't really on the same scale.
Further, let's be fair here: Removing the security at a given airport isn't the same scale as disabling the patent or copyright system on a hunch.
You really are a piece of work there Marcus. You are having to work so hard to try to catch me on something. You are still a few points behind, considering how many times you have had your ass handed to you in the last couple of weeks.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: On its current trajectory, the US should implode by 2030
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
On the other hand the information in this infographic has been publicly found and cited.
Next time you want to mock others based on accusations some relevant, available evidence would be nice. Until then go pound sand.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
2. Give the funds to NASA (would triple the budget:ish)
3. Travel to Mars.
4. PROFIT.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Besides, your idea of Marcus having his "ass handed to him" usually means you try and put a spin on Marcus' OPINION and saying "ha, you're wrong!"
That's not even remotely the same as handing someone's ass to them.
Dense? Yeah, that's you. Try hard and fail? Yep, you again. Piece of work? You've hit the trifecta there. Working hard to try and catch Marcus on something? Ditto.
Basically everything you try and say Marcus is ACTUALLY applies to you more than it does him. Not too mention the weird obsession you have with him. And to deny it is to just say, "I AM A BIG FAT LIAR AND EVERYTHING I SAY CAN OFFICIALLY BE TAKEN WITH A POUND OF SALT."
AC, just give up. You've won nothing, you're no points ahead, etc.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
One error in TSA analysis
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Stopping Terrorists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re:
> threats to the executive in 2012
I didn't say 'threats', did I? I said 'trying to kill the president'.
There's a whole universe of difference between making a drunken comment in a bar or an ill-advised Facebook post and actually attempting an assassination.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Stopping Terrorists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: So...
the Solution is extra-explanatory colonization.
unfortunately, that doesn't really fly with the bureaucrats and congress critter types in charge of funding.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Will private airport security grope you at a better price tag than TSA?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: The real meaning of TSA is...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Stopping Terrorists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Stopping Terrorists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: Re: Re: Re: Stopping Terrorists
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Privatize?
Most privatization arguments end up suggesting that we should pay some private company 20% less to provide 50% less service. Government agencies are not nearly as inefficient as privatization proponents like to claim. I'm moderately conservative; I'm not a big-government fan. But I'm also honest enough to acknowledge that most privatization proposals fall flat on their face with dishonesty.
Yes, the government should do less, but that doesn't mean we should be paying some private corporation to replace them.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Imagine
Imagine how much money we would have saved using El Al's people to train and supervise ours.
Imagine how we could have used Homeland Security Budget rather than foreign aid money to pay for these benefits (in other words, we would have gotten real value in return instead of just giving the money away)
Imagine...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Johnny Walker Blue
[ link to this | view in thread ]