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Airports aren't subject to higher scrutiny than buses for the sake of the airports' customers. 9/11 would have been unremarkable if people had stolen buses and

Airports aren't subject to higher scrutiny than buses for the sake of the airports' customers. 9/11 would have been unremarkable if people had stolen buses and driven them into the same buildings. Airports are subject to higher scrutiny because their planes can potentially become missiles with a high-power payload. In a totally free market, most of the airlines could probably absorb the loss of a plane every year, but that plane would be flown into someone who has no connection to the airport. Although, airlines would probably still cause less damage to people in the US than cars.

steveplace 15y ago
Schneier states the case that the solution to this risk has already been completed: For years I've said that exactly two things have made us safer since 9/11: reinforcing the cockpit door and convincing passengers that they need to fight back. http://www.schneier.com/essay-303.html http://www.schneier.com/essay-303.html Neither of those solutions required increased security measures.
- ChrisNorstrom 15y ago
  How does one fight back against an underwear bomber? Do the passengers instinctively smell the pube-laced explosives, jump on the terrorist and disarm him?
  - TheAmazingIdiot 15y ago
    You hold him down, choke him; and find the burning shoe or underwear. There's usually water in the form if bottles to throw on someone. In the end, you fight back and don't deal with idiocism. It reminds me when I was working at Starbucks. We had a long-ish line. A guy who we knew would cause problems shows up, and a Japanese barista tried to take his order. He then starts yelling at her, for repeating it wrong (it was right, but he couldn't understand the accent). Then a guy 2 people behind says out loud, "either order or get the hell out!" A lady behind him then said "Be nice to her, or leave" Once one person had the courage to say something, more did. And the customer eventually left without ordering anything. We baristas did nothing but stand there, trying to get the order.
  - brc 15y ago
    Well, yes, apparently that's what did happen. Remember two things: a) the underwear bomber got through the TSA checks b) you just can't pack enough explosives in your underwear to really do any serious damage. Both the shoe and the underwear bomber were apprehended on the plane. That alone shows why the TSA is useless.

steveplace 15y ago

Schneier states the case that the solution to this risk has already been completed: For years I've said that exactly two things have made us safer since 9/11: reinforcing the cockpit door and convincing passengers that they need to fight back. http://www.schneier.com/essay-303.html http://www.schneier.com/essay-303.html Neither of those solutions required increased security measures.

ChrisNorstrom 15y ago
How does one fight back against an underwear bomber? Do the passengers instinctively smell the pube-laced explosives, jump on the terrorist and disarm him?
- TheAmazingIdiot 15y ago
  You hold him down, choke him; and find the burning shoe or underwear. There's usually water in the form if bottles to throw on someone. In the end, you fight back and don't deal with idiocism. It reminds me when I was working at Starbucks. We had a long-ish line. A guy who we knew would cause problems shows up, and a Japanese barista tried to take his order. He then starts yelling at her, for repeating it wrong (it was right, but he couldn't understand the accent). Then a guy 2 people behind says out loud, "either order or get the hell out!" A lady behind him then said "Be nice to her, or leave" Once one person had the courage to say something, more did. And the customer eventually left without ordering anything. We baristas did nothing but stand there, trying to get the order.
- brc 15y ago
  Well, yes, apparently that's what did happen. Remember two things: a) the underwear bomber got through the TSA checks b) you just can't pack enough explosives in your underwear to really do any serious damage. Both the shoe and the underwear bomber were apprehended on the plane. That alone shows why the TSA is useless.