In a recent essay for The Wall Street Journal, former Transportation Security Administration administrator Kip Hawley said the current airport security system in broken, and he offers suggestions to fix it. Hawley is the author of “Permanent Emergency: Inside the TSA and the Fight for the Future of American Security.” He argues that beyond making airline travel unpleasant for customers, TSA officials are focusing their efforts on the wrong kind of threats. The TSA was created after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and with it came an exhaustive list of restricted items and checks that need to be done before passengers can get through security. Hawley argues that the TSA’s mission is not to keep every single passenger out of harm’s way but to prevent a major threat to the transportation system. He also believes the restrictions at security check points are excessive.
Former TSA head Kip Hawley has suggestions to improve airport security. Which change would you most like to see?