Speed Reads

security theater

Undercover testing finds TSA missed 95 percent of fake bombs, weapons

TSA

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted 70 undercover tests to determine if the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) could detect fake bombs and other weapons at airport checkpoints. A whopping 67 of those tests failed.

Though the DHS and TSA continue to maintain that American airport security is keeping us safe, this is hardly the first time TSA screeners have demonstrated similar incompetence. The agency has a long history of failing tests and missing loaded guns, knives, and explosives.

Perhaps most frustrating is that the TSA appears to be getting worse: This latest test had a 95 percent failure rate, while similar tests in 2007 "only" failed 60 to 75 percent of the time. But still, if you don't put your shampoo in a plastic baggie, the terrorists will win.