In its Tuesday edition, the [Wall Street Journal] reported that a March 1 switch from a national recruiting and hiring system to a more localized one had already left airports at Los Angeles and Orlando, Fla., short-staffed “raising fears that long lines will return to security checkpoints this summer.”

One Orlando executive told a monthly conference call of aviation security officials that waits could get as long as three hours, the Journal reported.

The paper said some airports lacked facilities to do the recruiting, and had no way of electronically fingerprinting applicants to enable mandatory background checks to be completed.

Another job that illegals will do that “Americans” won’t . . .

The prevailing wisdom is that no terrorist in his right mind (is that an oxymoron?) would try to hijack another US airliner given the scrutiny paid to air security; but when tests routinely demonstrate that TSA is ill-suited to the task at hand, there is really no barrier to repeating the events of four-and-a-half years ago. Air Marshals? Keep thinking there is one on your plane if that makes you feel better . . . just make sure you don’t think about inadequate the security around the baggage handling area is . . .

Flying, like swimming in the community pool, is at your own risk. Keep traveling with your heavy shoes and large metal buckles on your belt. It might be a pain in the rear to get half undressed at a screening point, but they could come in handy some day.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.