My suspicion is that, in the (presumed) absence of actual terrorists, the screeners are tested using 'secret shopper' style undercover people. They might try a

My suspicion is that, in the (presumed) absence of actual terrorists, the screeners are tested using 'secret shopper' style undercover people. They might try a wide range of scenarios, from 'oops, I forgot I left that gun in my trouser pocket'[1] through to 'can little Molly sneak an extra-large toothpaste?' Anyone failing the test gets demoted/retrained/shouted at, until all compassion and common sense is burned out. [1] From what I recall of the recent ex-TSA director, they fail even the most egregious of suitcase weapon plants, including firearms. Edit: It doesn't appear to get much of a mention in Kip Hawley's Editorial in the WSJ[2], but http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded-gun-slips-past-tsa-screeners/story?id=12412458 http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/loaded-gun-slips-past-tsa-scre... mentions figures of easily 50+%, from 2010 [2] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303815404577335783535660546.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405270230381540457733...