Airport X-Rays Don’t Intercept Knives, Bombs, or Guns

Ever wonder why not?

Oh wait, you didn’t know they didn’t?

Security analyst Bruce Schneier writes:

    “It seems like every time someone tests airport security, airport security fails. In tests between November 2001 and February 2002, screeners missed 70 percent of knives, 30 percent of guns and 60 percent of (fake) bombs. And recently (see also this), testers were able to smuggle bomb-making parts through airport security in 21 of 21 attempts. It makes you wonder why we’re all putting our laptops in a separate bin and taking off our shoes. (Although we should all be glad that Richard Reid wasn’t the “underwear bomber.”)

    “Break up something into small enough parts, and it’s going to slip past the screeners pretty easily.”

Ultimately, the author argues for less screening – no more taking off your sticky Keds – and more robots. Read further.

[via BoingBoing]

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