depth first search

A rant against the TSA.

Here’s my response:

Let’s consider the possibility that some airport screening policies are not stupid. For example, consider the increase in the number of contraband items since September 11th.

As travelers, we may find that having some of our luggage confiscated is an annoyance, but from the screener’s perspective, the increase in the number and kind of contraband items increases the prior likelihood that any passenger is carrying such an item dramatically.

Now compare, are screeners looking for rare identifications (like .000001%) going to me more successful than screeners looking for the common identifications (like 1%)? In fact, no.

Policies about nail clippers and toothpaste have implications for the efficacy of screening for actual, dangerous devices. It is about screener attentiveness and its relationship to event prevalence.

I do not think it is wise to classify any particular security protocol as theater unless you understand what that protocol is meant to address.

•