Saturday, November 27, 2010

More on Israeli Security on Airlines


Michael Chertoff, the former Homeland Security Director who is also in the scanner selling business.
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I recently suggested that the 4th amendment shredding TSA searches could be replaced by the Israeli model. Even Mike Huckabee suggested it as a solution, proving he's not wrong about every non-social issue. Max Brantley, icon of the left, wants the constitution-shredding to continue. He links to a piece showing the Israelis spend about 10 times per passenger what we spend on air security. He also expresses doubt about the ability to scale up the Israeli approach.

Bear in mind that my actual position, which is the only one that I am obligated to defend, is that the free market should take over this function, with different airlines implementing their own security measures (so long as everyone understands that hi-jacked aircraft will be treated like a weapon)and letting the passengers decide what they want.

The Israeli method, especially when implemented only by selected airlines here, would not cost as much here as it does in Israel. A much smaller proportion of our population will require more intensive screening. Our threat levels are only a fraction of theirs, and therefore our costs should be as well.

I don't have to deal with the arguments of whether or not the approach can be scaled up. If it works with one airline, another can adopt it, and the can keep adopting it or some variation of it until they find what works best for the lowest cost.

3 Comments:

Blogger Mark Moore (Moderator) said...

I don't think the number being use to evaluate our costs are complete either. We are still buying more scanners, and hiring more people to run them. I don't think they are everywhere yet.

12:35 PM, November 27, 2010  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Our security policies aren't designed to protect passengers, but to protect everyone else from the airplane crashing into them.

6:16 PM, November 28, 2010  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That is one creepy picture!

8:43 PM, November 29, 2010  

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