Airports Not Safer per GAO Report

Having just traveled last week, I experienced what appeared to be increased airport security. No more roadside check in or non-passengers going to the gates. Rather than giving the suitcases to the agent at the counter, they were all taken over to the security line. Before boarding, the carry-on bags appeared to be checked more than the past, including a request to remove my laptop and camcorder--presumably favorite terrorist weapons after box cutters. (I'm not sure why my Nikon digital SLR was considered any less a threat than the slightly smaller camcorder).

With all this extra screening, you'd think we were somewhat safer. Of course I knew that not everything is being done. We heard Bush admit during the debates that we didn't have the money to do what Kerry recommended--an admission I was surprised wasn't capitalized on more by the campaign.

It turns out I was wrong in assuming that security was at least somewhat improved from before 9/11, per this AP report:

Screening at U.S. airports is no better now than before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives who was briefed Friday about an investigation conducted by the Government Accountability Office and one by the Homeland Security Department.

"A lot of people will be shocked at the billions of dollars we've spent and the results they're going to see," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., chairman of the House aviation subcommittee.

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