If There Was Ever Any Doubt...
Jan. 27th, 2014 06:55 pmIf there was ever any doubt that 90% of the TSA is security theater, my experience today should put paid to that doubt.
This morning I arrived at Midway early-ish, only to find that most of the entrances to the main / only security checkpoint were roped off. It appeared to me in my perhaps-not-fully-caffeinated state that my choices were "employee" or "TSA-prescreen." (TSA pre-screen is where you pay extra and fill out a background check.) I have not paid extra for TSA pre-screen.
Despite this, I followed and was in fact directed into the pre-screen lines, including a separate off-to-one-side set of X-Ray machines. Machines in which one did not have to remove liquids or even laptops from their bags. In addition, I didn't have to take my shoes off to go through the plain-ole metal detector (no full-body scan on offer). It was the fastest pass through airport search-and-seizure in years.
And I'm not TSA pre-anything!
Now off to find dinner.
This morning I arrived at Midway early-ish, only to find that most of the entrances to the main / only security checkpoint were roped off. It appeared to me in my perhaps-not-fully-caffeinated state that my choices were "employee" or "TSA-prescreen." (TSA pre-screen is where you pay extra and fill out a background check.) I have not paid extra for TSA pre-screen.
Despite this, I followed and was in fact directed into the pre-screen lines, including a separate off-to-one-side set of X-Ray machines. Machines in which one did not have to remove liquids or even laptops from their bags. In addition, I didn't have to take my shoes off to go through the plain-ole metal detector (no full-body scan on offer). It was the fastest pass through airport search-and-seizure in years.
And I'm not TSA pre-anything!
Now off to find dinner.