DENVER -- Those "puffer" airport security screening machines being used at 37 airports, including Denver International Airport, are now going to be scrapped because they've been proven ineffective, according to a report Thursday.
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The program cost $36 million, but USA Today is reporting the program is being scuttled because the machines proved unreliable at airports.
TSA bought 207 puffers for $30 million starting in 2004. Ninety-four were installed in 37 airports. The other 113 machines stayed in storage.
If this were to happen to a company that over purchased some crappy machines, they might take a hit in profits and the shareholders who thought that buying these machines was a good idea might lose a few cents per share in a dividend or stock price, for sure the person who recommended the machines would be fired or at the least demoted. However, in this case it is the tax payers who have lost, even those who do not fly! The bureaucrat who purchased these machines is unlikely to suffer any consequences.
Competent private companies would do a thorough test of the machines in various real-world environments to gauge their effectiveness before committing to such a large purchase. But why take such precautions when you're just spending other people's money?
Posted by: Brian Martinez | May 22, 2009 at 12:41 AM