We asked our users in a recent survey if they thought the Transportation Security Administration was fulfilling its mission in light of recent reports that showed that the agency had failed a number of security tests (for more on this, see Do You Believe the TSA Is Fulfilling Its Mission?).
Based on the results of the survey, most respondents said that they think flying is no more or less safe since the agency was created and that the TSA should be dropped in favor of private screeners.
The majority of respondents also said that since the TSA was created, they avoid flying whenever possible. Several years ago, we conducted a similar survey in which respondents overwhelmingly said the TSA makes them less inclined to fly, however, the results at that time indicated that respondents were much more averse to flying because of the TSA (90%) versus the 54% in this poll who said they avoid flying.
Here is a look at how the survey results broke down:
Do you believe that flying has been safer since the TSA was created?
- Flying is safer: 34%
- Flying is less safe: 15%
- There has been no change in safety: 51%
Should the TSA be dropped in favor of a private screening process with government regulation?
- Yes: 60%
- No: 40%
Since the implementation of the TSA, have you changed your attitude toward flying for personal (as opposed to business) trips?
- I fly more: 6%
- No change: 40%
- I avoid flying whenever possible: 54%
Should airport screening procedures employ the use of interrogating passengers to determine odd behaviors, mood, etc.?
- Yes: 48%
- No: 52%
Thanks to each of you who took the time to share your feedback in this survey.