Your Government: TSA Confiscates Water Bottle, Misses Bomb - Consumerist

Your Government: TSA Confiscates Water Bottle, Misses Bomb - Consumerist: "Federal inspectors were able to slip a bomb past the TSA 5 out of 7 times, according to the Albany Times-Union. Here's the best part: One fake bomb was placed in the same bag as a bottle of water. The TSA opened the bag, took the water, and let the bomb on the plane."

So much for enhanced security. A few months ago my nephew went to Alaska from this same airport, in order to help my Brother's pregnant wife out. His little sisters to the airport with him, so that they could say good-bye before he boarded the plane. Unfortunately, the person at the security checkpoint said that there was no way the kids could go into the secure area, let alone me, who just happened to be there in case my sister's temporary ID would not be enough to let her through security. This left the older of the two girls extremely heartbroken, and she immediately started crying. Thank goodness I was there to drive the other 2 kids home, otherwise, my nephew would be barred from flying. It is a rule that unattended minors must be supervised by an adult until the plane takes off. To top it off, the tickets were not refundable, so the money would have been lost.

What kind of threat is a little kid who is not even going on the plane? I think the truth is that they actually limit the number of people who come through so that they can reduce the number of people at the checkpoints, in order to save money. His flight ended up being postponed to the next day anyway.

Another neat little fact from the trip: the baggage inspectors stole my nephew's new hat and gloves that were purchased for Alaska. Fortunately, he had 2 sets.