Security Theatre
Rob Kitchin · Bristol University Press eBooks · 2021
The TSA official has a hang-dog face.1 Several hours repeating the same phrases, performing the same tasks, and dealing with hassled passengers for barely above minimum wage had taken its toll. He passed the boarding card back to the woman and waved her to the left and a new queue. He gestured for Harry to step forward. ‘Your boarding card please, Sir.’ Harry handed it over. ‘Look into the camera here. Look up a bit. That’s it. Can you proceed to that queue over there please, Sir.’ The official held out the boarding card and gestured right. ‘Over there,’ Harry confirmed, pointing. ‘That’s the one.’ This was the second time in a row that he’d been selected for a special security check. Two months ago it had taken him over an hour to clear through to departures. He glanced at his watch. An hour this time would see him missing his flight. There wasn’t another until the following day, which would totally mess up his schedule. And since it wasn’t an ‘act of God’ the company would expect him to pay if a new ticket was needed. ‘Is there a reason I keep getting picked?’ he asked the official. ‘I’ve no idea. I just follow what it says when the barcode’s scanned. 4Ss. Secondary Security Screening Selectee.’ ‘You think I’m a security risk?’ How could he be a risk, Harry mused. He hadn’t even had a parking fine, let alone done anything to warrant special attention when flying.