Aviation Security Problems

Ever since September 11th, 2001, airport security has secured its place in the news. we had a dramatic change in the way that our government handles security. this was mostly by  adding more personnel and the invention of the TSA. the has also been in huge increase on regulation of carry on items. for most people, this all has been nothing but a hug inconvenience. But is it worth it? the government would like us to believe so, but were are the studies to show it. An article  "Airport Security Not Backed By Solid Evidence," says otherwise.

Eleni Linos and colleagues reviewed evidence for the effectiveness of airport security screening measures and comparing it to the evidence required by the UK National Screening Committee criteria to justify medical screening programmes.
Despite worldwide airport protection costing an estimated $5.6 billion every year, they found no comprehensive studies evaluating the effectiveness of passenger or hand luggage x-ray screening, metal detectors or explosive detection devices. There was also no clear evidence of testing accuracy. For example we know there are countless technologies that can be used to blow up plane. the Current major detection system is metal detectors. Biological explosives do not show up. there are a few other detection methods, but still nothing really show how effective and accurate they really are.

The article goes on to say that the TSA stop 13 million prohibited items. There is no real way of knowing what the harm really was. For all we know it could have been things like a nail clipper or shampoo that was in to big of a bottle.

So in reality our current security is nothing more than show. It may intimidate a few people out of doing anything stupid, but if someone really wanted to there are way to many inconsistencies. For the rest of us, it is just a major hassle. The first real step to to truly evaluate and open it up to academically debate the issue.