Three Cheers for the TSA

The TSA gets their fair share of criticism. Most often it comes by way of attacks on the futility of their efforts, like when Eric Weiner (quoted on CNN.com) says, "TSA knows collecting peanut butter and nail clippers is not really going to prevent a terrorist attack. [...] It might catch some very stupid terrorist, but not the smart ones."

But, these criticisms aside, the TSA needs some praise as well, especially in light of this article from CNN. It charts the paths of a number of confiscated objects, but the really important part of this story are the types of items that TSA spokespeople say they still see coming through airport screening areas: swiss army knives, baseball bats, machetes, and, yes, two gallons of gas! So, while some may criticize the TSA's efforts as futile, overly-invasive, or just downright paranoid, I praise their efforts to draw peoples' attention to their own stupidity. In fact, I would say that one more step needs to be added to the process. If you are dumb enough to try to carry two gallons of gas onto an airplane, you not only deserve to have your gas taken from you; you should also be handed a note at the security checkpoint area in which it is explained to you that your stuff has been confiscated, not because it will prevent every terrorist attack, but because you are a DUMBASS!

And for all of those marginal items--souvenir, miniature bats, swiss army knives, etc.--put them in your freakin' checked baggage. If you don't have a bag to check, then you probably really don't need to bring the kitchen sink on the airplane anyways. After all, there's probably a Home Depot in the city where you live.

Damn, these people are like the Kanye Wests of airline traveling.