Question Air Travelers

Yesterday, the Middle East Contrarian took a detour from discussing Middle East policy to vent about airport screening procedures. In a letter-to-the-editor of the Rochester (NY) Democrat & Chronicle, I suggested that questioning of passengers at airports would enhance security while sparing most travelers new, intrusive screening techniques such as full-body patdowns.

It is pretty ridiculous that passengers stand idle unapproached in security lines and then security officials stare at a photo ID but do not ask a single question of travelers that might expose malintent. A wasted opportunity to protect the air-traveling public.