The ludicrous hokey pokey involving liquids, shoes, etc. should be eliminated immediately. Even TSA rank and file (aka postmen at the airport) admit it achieves nothing.
But, like any bureaucracy, they are unwilling to change their procedures because it involves rational thought and yielding control.
In numerous airports I have seen the return of the maroon-blazered ‘security’ people. Invariably they are Middle Eastern or from the subcontinent and they have the cheek to demand boarding passes etc. Who are they, why are they there especially with billions spent on the TSA and why are they all of a certain ethnic background?
Bottlenecks are the biggest problem...one person checking IDs is inadequate even at smaller airports. Combine this with the sheer volume of TSA staff standing idle at checkpoints and it becomes maddening.
As usual, when you train idiots you merely get trained idiots. The TSA have obviously implemented some form of ‘soft’ screening with Fake Badge Charlie Goodtime smiling and giving it the good neighbor routine attempting to engage people in line with seemingly random questions about hometowns, destinations, etc. I happily ignored him.
They used to just check me through. Last couple of times they’ve tried to chat me up. Vacation? Going home? Etc. I just look at them and say.....what does the ticket say? I’m not very friendly or chatty with people I don’t know. Put me in a line and it’s even worse. Lol