That has been my impression also.
A few weeks ago when I went through the airport screening loop, my bag showed something 'suspicious' (probably my electric razor). I was stopped for further screening.
I begged the screener to let me go without opening my bag, because I was very late for my flight, and she complied.
Of course, I did not have any threatening item in my bag, but I was given special treatment (at my request, I concede). I suspect this college student used his charm also to smuggle these items into the airplane.
The screeners have a thankless job, and they will get heat from both ends.
It seems that expecting screeners to stop any non-allowed items into the airplanes is unrealistic.
agreed.
people are fond of slandering the low wage screeners, but it seems that the tools and processes are where most of the deficiencies lies.
how would a more highly skilled worker have known that the liquid in that bottle was bleach?