"
“[Testers] know exactly what our protocols are. They can create and devise and conceal items that … not even the best terrorists would be able to do,” Pistole told lawmakers at a House hearing.
"
$50,000 to some ex-TSA employee, and they'd know them too.
The TSA has always been about security theater. Unlike some I feel like their heart is in the right place (the same for the NSA too). It's too bad there's this huge expensive machine now with lots of entrenched interests and risk-averse leadership.
Of course, being the hackers that we are, we might wonder how that money would be better spent. I for one advocate for a 2 hour "passenger mixer" prior to the flight. It would be mandatory, but catered, open bar, where you get to know your other passengers, and vote on whether someone needs further attention from authorities. A free party and you take your fate into your hands? And even with premium booze it would be far cheaper than the TSA. Plus if you get blown up you have no-one to blame but yourself.
That being said, I don't mean to trivialize the problem/task.