More Idiocy From the TSA
Just when you think the “security” measures at the airports can’t get any more absurd, along comes this gem. It seems that the latest terrorist suspect is an 8-year-old Cub Scout, Michael “Mikey” Hicks.  The practitioners of security theater (taking highly visible measures to make travelers feel safer without actually making them safer) are alert to the dire menace that he poses. They might have failed to stop the underwear bomber from getting on the plane, despite numerous warning signals, but they’re not about to ignore this lethal threat. Little Mikey is on their watch list, and they subject the poor kid to a pat down whenever he and his parents try to fly. Apparently, he has the same name as a real terror suspect. But wouldn’t you think that reasonably intelligent adults could figure out that an 8-year-old is not the person they’re looking for? Oh, wait… we’re talking about the TSA, where no intelligent adults need apply.
Ruben Schoenefeld
Sad state of a list that has good intentions, when they are not even checking for birth dates. Something in the article you link to is funny though. It says towards the end that “Mario Labbe” legally changed his name to “Francois Mario Labbe”. Is that really all it takes? Not that a name change is not inconvenient, but is that really all it takes to be able to get past the list? Not such a hurdle, is it?
Comment on Jan 30th, 2010 at 2:53 am
tcarpenter
Apparently it is just about that easy. It probably hasn’t dawned on our guardians of air safety that terrorists may have figured out that trick as well.
Comment on Feb 5th, 2010 at 6:54 pm