Jaunted

Yet the report did little more than reinforce the idea that TSA theater is out of control. (It also ticked us off to learn how much of our tax money is going toward security: $40 billion has been spent to "beef up" the TSA, hiring 50,000 screeners and outfitting them with legit-looking costumes uniforms, some of which even come with fancy earpieces!)

Screeners are also being sent back to school--for $35 million--to retrain them in dealing with frustrated and pissed off passengers. The retraining session in the piece looks a bit like a "Feelings Share" for kindergartners but we totally understand that TSA staffers need to vent--especially if they really are seeing some people send their pets and babies through X-ray machines.

The report also touched on the controversial whole-body imaging machine nicknamed "The Peeper." Lesley Stahl went into the locked, windowless room where images are sent to see what exactly TSA agents are looking at. The computers automatically blur the faces of anyone who steps into "The Peeper," but delicate undergarments can be seen. Turns out, it could be much worse. And just in case you wanted to know, Hawley says the machine isn't capable of storing images; each is trashed as the next one comes through. In a world where IM conversations and text messages are stored indefinitely, we find his assurance more than somewhat suspicious.

60 Minutes also brought on security expert Bruce Schneier who, despite having a pony tail, made some very good points about the determination of terrorists to find a way to attack planes.

Don't get us wrong, we aren't trying to pile on airport security; it's obviously a necessity. But aside from the theater, the biggest problem we have with the TSA is inconsistency. Why are rules strictly enforced at some airports and not at others? We've all tried to slip an extra liquid past security whether it be the regulation 3 oz. size or not. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. And that seems like a problem, doesn't it?

Did you watch the 60 Minutes segment last night? Did it dispel your doubts about the effectiveness of the TSA? Or did you immediately order another "Kip Hawley is an idiot" teddy bear? Let us know.

Related Stories:
· Expert: TSA Screening Is Security Theater [60 Minutes]
· On 7th Birthday, TSA Attempts To Explain Its Reason For Being [Jaunted]
· TSA to Get Reality Show Treatment [Jaunted]