Been security theater since inception.

Hey I know! Lets clump all of the civilian targets in a big group and make sure we pack them tight BEFORE we check for bombs. Bombs that get through anyways.

https://duckduckgo.com/?ia=web&origin=funnel_home_website&t=h_&q=TSA+fails+security+audit+guns+bombs+probe

The headline is possibly misleading. This story seems to largely discuss potential privatization of the security services that TSA provides, not eliminating the security theater that TSA is.

Ah yes, let's use contractors. Anyone else remember when USIS was just faking background checks? I've been a Federal contractor, and while there are some great, hard working people doing government work as contractors, the companies behind those contractors are almost universally doing everything they can to skirt the line between "completing the contract" and "outright fraud". They certainly have no interest in doing what is best for the organization, people or tax payers. It's all money grubbing assholes looking to leech off the tax payer.

We need to realize that 90% of everything done in the wake of 9/11 were bad ideas. With DHS itself being a monumental fuck-up. We did need better inter-department communications. But, by creating one agency to rule them all, we put too much budget in one bucket and failed to let specialists in each area focus on their area of specialization.

The TSA is security theater, its effectiveness has been documented as notoriously useless with not finding any legitimate threats. Just confiscating things from people that look like weapons.

TSA is make-work with zero return on investment. These people should be repairing roads and bridges, working on innumerable infrastructure projects that could improve common people’s lives.

darn I was hoping this was some sanity to get rid of the security theater and go back to pre 911 sanity.

Bring on the delays and public outrage. It's just about the only thing that'll force congress to do its job. It's not like the other unfunded LE agencies will stop doing their thing or the Coast Guard will close down ports or stop rescuing people, despite also being kneecapped by the shutdown.

I'm all up for the elimination of TSA agents. The old fashioned French way, even, to make it more efficient and to send a clear message.

I'm still surprised that no suicide bomber has targeted the lines at the screening checkpoints in airports.

I don't know what hidden security exists that could catch them before they get to that point, but it seems like it would be an irresistible target.

Honestly given all the rampant anarchy the US is causing all over, now is probably the worst time to do this. I agree it's theatre but I hope it deters at least some woodbe attackers. Reigning it back during a time of peace is understandable. During a time of war is just negligence.