The Transportation Security Administration is facing heavy scrutiny for the cost of body scanners and their effectiveness.
About $160 million has been dedicated to body scanners, with per-unit costs averaging $150,000, according to Politico.
The cost isn’t the most worrisome aspect of the body scanners — it’s the failure to detect weapons and explosives. The TSA has a 96 percent failure rate during covert tests run as part of a recent security audit.
If the technological problems with body scanners get fixed, the TSA faces the deeper problem of TSA agents. Human error can play a significant part in security breaches, and keeping all agents trained in the proper use of security equipment is a challenge.
Airport security is an evolving problem where standards constantly move and threats develop from weak spots in security systems. Without good information, addressing those security holes get tricky.
Some techniques, such as the Screening Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program that the TSA launched in 2006, lack scientific evidence to support its effectiveness in recognizing security threats. A leaked behavior checklist has led to criticism of TSA techniques as well.
In the rush to institute stronger security measures about September 11, a sense of urgency for security encouraged “security theater,” actions that make travelers feel safe, but don’t improve airport security in actuality.
Evaluating security programs and measures requires evidence, testing, and, time. The politics surrounding the TSA and transportation security in general, however, prioritizes action.
Problems with the TSA reflect the depth of problems with how the country reacts to security issues.
