Why the 'no fly' list doesn't work

Airport security: Will tightening no-fly rules help?

(Image credit: Dennis Galante/Corbis)

last updated 8 January 2015

In the wake of the Times Square bombing attempt, the federal government has started requiring airlines to check no-fly lists faster to keep suspected terrorists off of passenger flights. Faisal Shahzad, the man accused of trying to detonate a car bomb in the middle of New York City, was on those lists, but he somehow managed to board an international flight before federal authorities finally caught up with him. The Obama administration is saying it's now clear the no-fly system is broken, says Abe Greenwald in Commentary, but we've heard that one before. Here's an excerpt:

"Actually, that was said, word for word, by President Obama — back in December. He was talking about alleged Nigerian underwear bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who managed to board a Northwest flight bound for Detroit, despite intelligence agencies having long been aware of the threat he posed.