Sign into an existing account

🚨 TSA Effectiveness in Catching Terrorists

Failure to Detect Weapons and Explosives:

- In 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted covert tests where undercover agents attempted to smuggle weapons and explosives through TSA checkpoints. TSA failed 95% of the time (67 out of 70 tests).
- A follow-up 2017 DHS test showed a failure rate of ~80%, revealing persistent security gaps.

Terrorist Arrests:

- As of now, the TSA has not publicly claimed to have caught a single terrorist at an airport checkpoint.
- A 2011 GAO report stated there was "no evidence" that TSA’s behavior detection programs (like SPOT) were effective at identifying potential terrorists.

Criticism from Experts:

- Former TSA Administrator Kip Hawley admitted in 2012 that "the TSA has become too rigid and reactive," suggesting many of the procedures are more for theater than security.
- Security experts like Bruce Schneier refer to the TSA’s practices as “security theater”—measures that provide a feeling of security without significantly improving actual safety.

---

🚔 TSA Employee Misconduct and Crime

Criminal Activity: TSA employees have been involved in a range of crimes, including theft, drug trafficking, and smuggling.

📦 Theft from Luggage:

- In 2012, ABC News ran a report showing 381 TSA officers had been fired for theft between 2003 and 2012.
- A former TSA agent, interviewed by ABC undercover, admitted theft was “commonplace” and “part of the culture.”

✈️ Drug and Smuggling Cases:

- 2011: Several TSA agents in Los Angeles were caught aiding drug traffickers in smuggling over 100 pounds of cocaine through checkpoints.
- 2017: TSA officers in Puerto Rico were arrested for helping smuggle 20 tons of cocaine over nearly two decades.
- 2023: A TSA agent in New Jersey was arrested for sexually assaulting a passenger during a screening.

📉 Misconduct Numbers:

- The DHS Office of Inspector General has repeatedly criticized TSA's handling of employee misconduct, noting delayed investigations and light disciplinary actions.
- A 2013 House report said TSA had “a culture of misconduct and lack of accountability.”

---

💰 Cost vs. Results

- TSA’s annual budget is around $8 billion.
- Yet the return on investment is questionable, with frequent audit failures, no documented terrorist captures, and a consistent stream of internal crime reports.

---

TL;DR

- TSA hasn’t caught any known terrorists at checkpoints.
- Fails most security tests conducted by watchdogs.
- Hundreds of employees have been involved in crimes like theft, drug smuggling, and abuse.
- The agency has been labeled as inefficient and corrupt by insiders, lawmakers, and security experts.