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1.  

   

   Overcast (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:06pm

   
   

   One word for all of this TSA BS.
   
   Fail.

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2.  

   

   MisterHux (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:10pm

   
   

   If we don't have the machines then the terrorists win.

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3.  

   

   Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:12pm

   
   

   "So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?"
   
   Because you need to trust your government. They have your best interest at heart. Seriously. That was not a "test", it was a practice run! They didn't tell any of the agents about the practice run, how do you expect them to catch it?!
   
   "For security reasons, we do not publicize or comment on the results of covert tests, however advanced imaging technology is an effective tool to detect both metallic and nonmetallic items hidden on passengers."
   
   So effective, that they need a heads up! How much is a TSA agent's salary? I know a few people from the asylum who need to round up the end of the month.

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4.  

   

   Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:16pm

   
   

   Do you want to bet they didn't get scanned because the lines were too long, held up by a few people at the front bitching about scans and pat downs?

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5.  

   *hangs head*

   

   TheStupidOne, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:18pm

   
   

   I wish it was possible to charge people in our government with theft for flushing our tax dollars down the toilet with this TSA BS. These machines appear to be 100% ineffective, create privacy nightmares, and we are spending more and more money on them. Someone is stealing from us. I just wish our government would stop protecting them and actually punish the thieves.

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6.  

   

   Nick Dynice (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:18pm

   
   

   So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?

   
   To make Chertoff richer, of course.

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7.  

   

   Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:20pm

   
   

   It's all about jobs, because without them there would be fewer people employed undercover to check them out.

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8.  

   Response to: Anonymous Coward on Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:16pm

   

   Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 3:48pm

   
   

   You're on. $50
   
   "The source said the undercover agent carried a pistol in her undergarments when she put the body scanners to the test. The officer successfully made it through the airport's body scanners every time she tried, the source said."
   
   Try reading next time. Pay up.

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9.  

   

   chris, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 4:09pm

   
   

   What's most frustrating is that stories like this just don't reach the vast majority of people. They think the TSA is actually doing something besides burning money and making air travel as much fun as showering in prison.

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10.  

    Re

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 4:30pm

    
    

    Actually, BECAUSE we have those machines, the terrorists have won.

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11.  

    I'm Not Surprised

    

    Angry Puppy (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 4:36pm

    
    

    Yeah, the politicians authorize spending large amounts on dubious scanner technology (probably getting large donations from the corporations manufacturing this junk) and bluff the public into thinking air travel is being made safer through apparently proactive efforts on elected official's part.
    
    A large person hiding a small pistol has a very good chance of passing through TSA security. I personally would not try it, I prefer not to shower in prison. A person trying to pass through security carrying a Dirty Harry sized hand cannon in a holster would be caught, but, as this proves, not always someone trying to sneak a small, well hidden, firearm. The techniques and technology used are simply poor. Hiring very astute (read: well paid due to being educated and smart) people as TSA agents that are trained to 'read' passengers as is done in Israel (with perfect success since implementation) is the way to go.

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12.  

    

    Gwiz (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 4:36pm

    
    

    So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?
    
    Because all the best theater productions have really good special effects.

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13.  

    Re:

    

    Jay (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 5:02pm

    
    

    Linkage
    
    Just sayin...

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14.  

    So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?

    

    BuzzCoastin (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 5:49pm

    
    

    So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?
    Because in the end, Winston learned to love Big Brother.

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15.  

    Echo Chamber

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 8:11pm

    
    

    Welcome to the Echo Chamber on Techdirt. Where you hear only one thing repeated.

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16.  

    Re: Echo Chamber

    

    testcore (profile), Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 8:19pm

    
    

    That's awesome. You just invoked Russell's Paradox. Or did you say that already?

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17.  

    Re: Echo Chamber

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 8:42pm

    
    

    Not unlike main stream media.

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18.  

    Re: Re: Echo Chamber

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 8:45pm

    
    

    ... tech dirt provokes critical thinking and learning while exposing propaganda for what it is. MSM tell sheep what to think. I wasn't dissing td

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19.  

    Re: Echo Chamber

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 11:19pm

    
    

    So...did you actually have any substantial argument to make, TAM, or have you just accepted your roll as a troll?

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20.  

    Re: *hangs head*

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 11:53pm

    
    

    Here here. Michael Chertoff and the manufacturer made a shit ton off it tho so I'd rather start criminal proceedings on them.

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21.  

    Response to: chris on Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 4:09pm

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 22nd, 2011 @ 11:58pm

    
    

    I agree but am not sure if it is lack of info or lack of empowerment. I know those polls are out that say otherwise, but I don't know a soul who doesn't get that this is totally bogus. But Wat do? Make a stink, get arrested. Call your congressperson, like they care. I don't know. It is a symptom of the stupid military industrial complex. Like regular ppl trying to suggest cuts to the defense budget.

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22.  

    Re: Re: *hangs head*

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 12:01am

    
    

    Oops. That's hear hear I guess.

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23.  

    Re: Echo Chamber

    

    The eejit (profile), Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 1:40am

    
    

    TSA...tsa....tsa...tsa....

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24.  

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 2:41am

    
    

    It's not a matter of discipline but human limits.
    http://tiny.pl/hdh1z
    The model is flawed and firing people won't fix it.

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25.  

    It's probably a profiling thing...

    

    Capitalist Lion Tamer (profile), Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 2:50am

    
    

    Perhaps if he'd had noticeably large breasts or a colostomy bag or something, they might have checked him a little closer.

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26.  

    Re: Re: *hangs head*

    

    John Gardner (profile), Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 4:36am

    
    

    Chertoff, when asked, did say his scanners would probably not have caught the underwear bomber, so he was being quasi-honest... certainly more honest than the people who swore up and down we needed these devices to stop terrorists from boarding our planes

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27.  

    Re: So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?

    

    senshikaze (profile), Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 6:47am

    
    

    winston always loved big brother. big brother protects us. weakness is strength, lies are truth, love is pain.

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28.  

    So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?

    

    DannyB (profile), Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 7:35am

    
    

    > So why did we need those fancy new scanners again?
    
    Because some passengers are attractive to look at.

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29.  

    Re:

    

    Anonymous Coward, Feb 23rd, 2011 @ 12:05pm

    
    

    It was Napolitano you idiot!

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