…whispering something about ‘six hundred dollar hammers’.”

The companies that hire airport screeners have raised their rates dramatically now that the government has taken over airport security efforts.

(also via Nextdraft)

Well, yeah. Before they were not called upon to do anything but hire the cheapest labor available. No background checks, no ability to talk and chew gum at the same time, no paying attention, nothing. Airport security personnel were decorations, nothing more. Now they are at least supposed to be finding people to actually provide security. Cheap. Sure the new providers are scamming the government right and left. What do you want to bet Congress underfunded the watchdogs?

With respect to Randy's comments, I remember reading somewhere that before last September, the average airport security screener at the Boston airport was paid less than the average clerk who worked at the fast food place in the airport.

I don't doubt we're getting scammed left and right; my ex used to work on NASA's accounting program and I've heard all sorts of ugly stories about how it was, to say the least, inaccurate. But we weren't paying for much airport security before. To have actual security is going to cost quite a bit more, even if we don't get fleeced by the contractors.

Agreed. *If* we're getting more qualified and motivated people, and *if* we're getting better security, then paying more isn't that big a deal. Just big ifs.