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Re:Time to Close the Security Theater by cema on Friday July 01, 2011 @08:32AM (#2718005)
The number of airports is consistent with the number of people. But who in his right mind would want to work in TSA if they can find a respected job elsewhere? Israeli screeners, on the other hand, are respected.
Re:Time to Close the Security Theater by smhinsey on Friday July 01, 2011 @10:03AM (#2718355)
To be clear I didn't mean that there are not literally enough people to hire to do the job. I should've been a bit clearer but what I was really getting at was the massive scope and cost of such an agency with staffing requirements like that. We're talking about something on par with or larger than the FBI.
Re:Time to Close the Security Theater by chopsueyar on Friday July 01, 2011 @11:17AM (#2718655)
There is only a $1 billion difference between the two agencies budgets (2010).

TSA is $8billion, FBI is $9billion, DHS is $55billion.

As the US military uses less air conditioning in Afghanistan, that should free up at least a couple billion.

Re:Time to Close the Security Theater by smhinsey on Friday July 01, 2011 @11:27AM (#2718714)
Wow, I should've looked at that, that is stunning, considering that the FBI actually regularly solves crimes.

I imagine if you paid what it really cost to have screeners with that level of training we'd be talking about a pretty hefty increase over the FBI. Mind boggling.

Re:Time to Close the Security Theater by chopsueyar on Friday July 01, 2011 @11:29AM (#2718724)
But where is the other $47 billion going to? It is not the FBI's or CIA's budget.

[edit]

Probably to ICE for government provided IP protection and enforcement without due process.

Re:Time to Close the Security Theater by smhinsey on Friday July 01, 2011 @11:34AM (#2718743)
The DHS is huge now. It covers everything from stuff like ICE to the Coast Guard. If you ask me, TSA is the tip of the DHS iceberg. The whole thing is suspect, top to bottom, and probably ought to be scrapped and done over.