End of 3-1-1? Not!

I’ve seen posts like this one before touting new scanners that would obviate the need for 3-1-1 carry-on liquid restrictions. I’ll believe it when I see it. Deployment of the miracle scanners would take years (and how would the broke USA pay for it?). Also, security measures are like taxes: easy to implement, almost impossible to repeal. Nevertheless, here’s what the Fox blog post says about the liquid-sensitive x-ray scanner:

ScanTech’s “Sentinel” system goes beyond detecting visual threats. As bags go through the scanner, a computer analyzes how their various contents react to the X-rays and compares those reactions to a database of hazardous materials (including PETN, the explosive suspected in the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt against a Detroit-bound jetliner).

When the scanner detects a dangerous substance, it sends a warning to the operator’s screen — indicating the type of item in question and its location in the bag.

We watched one Sentinel device correctly discern between identical bottles — one filled with a popular soft drink, the others filled with flammable fluids. That particular unit is about to be shipped to Abu Dhabi, UAE. ScanTech officials say they also hope to begin testing with the TSA for possible deployment of Sentinel units at U.S. airports. - FOX

Comments

[Steve Duncan]

While I have no doubt that the possibility of getting rid of 311 will be used as justification for the new equipment, the decision to do away with 311 is unlikely. It's been accepted, getting rid of it has very little upside for the TSA, and there's always a reluctance to do something that some segment of our sheep-like population might consider to be reducing security.

We know that 311 is mostly a farce anyway. They toss the confiscated materials (which by definition are dangerous) in a trash barrel in the middle of the security area.

[Stephen Waits]

> and how would the broke USA pay for it?

The same way we pay for everything else. Create money (debt) out of thin air. Simple!