Who here did not think of Bruce Schneier after reading in the lead paragraph: "...that’s the conclusion of Charles C. Mann, who put the T.S.A. to the test with the help of one of America’s top security experts"?
I respect Bruce Schneier as an expert in cryptography and computer/network security. But nothing I've seen him say about physical security seems like anything more than obvious common sense, delivered in a sort of pompous, sarcastic tone.
I also don't think the people in charge at the TSA are so stupid as to not have considered that someone might alter a boarding pass.
I'm reminded of a post here a few weeks ago, I don't recall the subject exactly but I believe it quoted Henry Kissinger, who said until you are on the "inside" of these agencies, you have no idea of the things they know, and that many things that don't make any sense from an external viewpoint DO make sense once you have all the information.
As someone who has been on the inside that last quote is almost all a smoke screen. In reality they do not know as much as they claim and many idiotic policies are there for idiotic or political reasons. Besides since government should be accountable to its people we should fully call to task idiotic or irrational behavior and the excuse of "you wouldn't understand" just does not cut it.
I also don't think the people in charge at the TSA are so stupid as to not have considered that someone might alter a boarding pass.
I'm reminded of a post here a few weeks ago, I don't recall the subject exactly but I believe it quoted Henry Kissinger, who said until you are on the "inside" of these agencies, you have no idea of the things they know, and that many things that don't make any sense from an external viewpoint DO make sense once you have all the information.