No, I'm not missing that issue, its just another issue. Magnetometers are pretty useless, they just provide an illusion of security as has been demonstrated by several failed bombing attempts that passed the magnetometer.
So, the question is do we tolerate these scanners, or do we just revert to random searches based on profiling? I'm all in favor of strip searching everyone who fits the profile of every hijacker/bomber of the last forty years.
Unfortunately, the politicians don't think that's a good idea and the enemy would certainly select bombers who don't fit the profile. Or, we could just forget all of it until the next airplane blows up. Then what?
Whatever happened to those “puffer” machines? They were supposed to detect traces of explosives on passengers and their clothing, and were not intrusive.
provide an illusion of security
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in the end, that’s all it is..
With attitudes like that, it's no wonder I feel safer on the streets of Baghdad or Ramadi than when I travel through US airports.