The Flight Deck

Am I the only one out here who thinks that the Transportation Security Administration needs a change in policy regarding the use of “profiling” as part of our screening for terrorists attempting to fly into the United States post 9/11?

Profiling is “bad.”

Oh, really?

It is politically incorrect. It can (and historically has, in many notable and horrible instances) be abused. But profiling isn’t bad per se. It’s a tool, and one that countries like Israel use to great effect.

Instead of setting up a system that puts in checks and balances so that profiling doesn’t get abused, our TSA has instead chosen to use a system that is politically correct. We don’t screen travelers based on “profiling.”

Gee, how’s that working for us?

Here are brief profiles of two individuals I know personally who were selected out from flight lines for special extensive screening in the last year, based on the TSA’s current screening methodology. Both were plucked out of their passenger queues and escorted into private rooms for a thorough physical check, all their carry on and checked baggage was completely gone through, and both had extensive questioning and had records checks done on them before they were allowed to board their flights.

Person #1.

• Gender: Female
• Age: 75+
• Race: Caucasian
• Religious Affiliation: Mormon
• Education: High School
• Occupation: Retired homemaker
• Citizenship: United States (natural-born)
• Criminal History: none
• Group associations: Volunteers at Mormon temple regularly
• Round-trip ticket: Yes
• Luggage: Yes
• Bought Ticket with cash: No

For rest of post, see The Shovel Awards.