Poll: Only 50 percent believe TSA makes flying safer

Only fifty percent of U.S. residents believe the Transportation Security Administration makes flying safer, according to a poll released on Thursday. 

The poll, conducted by Harris Interactive, surveyed 2,234 adults to produce its findings. 

The results showed 50 percent of U.S. residents thought the TSA’s airport security procedures made airplane travel “a lot or somewhat more safe,” while 43 percent though the agency’s presence had little impact on airline travel safety. 

{mosads}The poll found that 48 percent of its respondents thought the TSA’s airport security procedures were an “effective deterrent to hijacking.” Thirty-six percent thought the TSA made no difference when it comes to stopping terrorism, while 15 percent thought it was an ineffective deterrent. 

The Harris polling firm also survey respondents on qualifications they thought TSA agents should have before they are hired. Eighty-one percent said it was acceptable for a TSA agent to not have a college degree, while 63 percent thought it was OK for the agency’s employees to not have prior law enforcement experience. 

However, only 32 percent thought it was OK for a TSA agent to have a nonviolent criminal record, and just 28 percent thought it was acceptable for an employee of the agency to have been arrested for driving under the influence. 

The full poll on U.S. residents’ attitudes about the TSA can be read here.