We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money.

The TSA Is Finally Admitting They’re Useless With Their Latest Proposal

  • Joseph Hostetler

    • Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

    Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

    You’ve probably boarded a plane and realized you brought a TSA non-compliant item along for the ride, either on your person or in your carry-on.  A pocket knife, a large bottle of liquid, a Galaxy Note 7.

    At first, you’re relieved you weren’t tackled to the ground with a knee on your windpipe, the piercing snap of a latex glove as your last memory before losing consciousness.  Then, a couple minutes later, you realize the implications.  If the TSA missed your effortless violation, what else do they miss?

    What Else Slips Through the TSA’s Fingers?

    I’m of the opinion that the TSA does VERY little to secure the skies.  And the latest proposal the TSA is considering proves that theory.

    TSA May Stop Securing Smaller Airports

    You’ve probably heard the term “security theater.”  Its definition is “the practice of investing in countermeasures intended to provide the feeling of improved security while doing little or nothing to achieve it.”

    That’s exactly the TSA.  They are there to make travelers feel like there’s an iron wall between scoundrel and airplane.  But they do practically zero.

    Remember the 2015 statistic revealing the TSA fails to detect potential dangers 95% of the time?  A study less than 1 year ago suggests that the rate is still above 80%.  So statistically, if the TSA is the last line of defense, 4 out of 5 attacks will be wildly successful.

    If the TSA is responsible for curtailing the number of attacks, it’s because terrorists are busy rolling on the ground laughing at them.

    According to CNN, the TSA is seriously considering completely pulling out of 150 small to medium-sized airports across the US.  The TSA would no longer screen passengers at airports that are served by planes with 60 seats or less, and instead screen them at their connecting airport.  This could save $115 million each year, which the government would allegedly use to make security better at larger airports, where human lives matter.

    CNN says:

    The proposal asserts that small aircraft would not be…as attractive a “payoff” because “the potential for loss of life” would be lower than terrorists could achieve with larger planes.

    The TSA should alert the folks spreading terror with automobiles and handguns that the payoff isn’t attractive.

    The TSA Is Fine With Not Screening Passengers, as Long as the Plane They Board Is No Larger Than This

    If the TSA were actually effective in preventing terrorist attacks, this move would be unthinkable.  I suspect a 60-passenger plane can still do plenty of damage.

    A few news sources state that the TSA likely will not pull out of any airports.  But the fact that the TSA is even considering it reveals that they do very little.

    Do You Know How to Reduce the TSA Charade During Your Next Trip to the Airport?

    The rules the TSA creates to protect you and me seem a little erratic.

    Straight razors aren’t allowed in your carry-on, but ice skates are.  Flammable liquids aren’t allowed on board, but you can bring a cigarette lighter in your pocket.  You can’t bring 4 ounces of water, but you can pass through the security checkpoint with a big bag of ice.

    Did you know you can bring skydiving equipment in your carry-on?  That is WAY more alarming than many other prohibited items, like gel sole inserts.

    I’d Like to See What Would Happen to My Carry-On If I Stuck a Wick Inside a Bowling Ball.  Both Harmless Items, but a Little Unnerving to See Together

    If you want to skip a lot of TSA rules, like removing toiletries or computers from your bag, taking off your jacket and shoes, etc., you can!

    It’s called TSA PreCheck, and it costs $85 for a 5-year membership.  But there are plenty of ways to get it for free.  Several cards will reimburse the price of your TSA PreCheck application, including:

    And lots more!  Just use one of these cards to pay for your TSA PreCheck application, and you’ll receive a statement credit for the expense.

    There are a few other ways to get it for free, too!  You can check out this post for a complete guide to TSA PreCheck.

    Thoughts on this latest TSA proposal to leave small and medium sized airports to fend for themselves?  Does the TSA actually serve a purpose?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)