“Protecting riders on mass-transit systems from terrorist attacks will be as high a priority as ensuring safe air travel,” the new TSA Chief told a reporter. Mr. John Pistole, the new TSA Chief and career FBI officer, also said “that some terrorists consider subway and rail cars an easier target than heavily secured planes.” He also noted that some terrorists groups see rail and subways as being more vulnerable because there’s not the type of screening that you find in aviation.

Our Comments: Thank you Mr. Pistole. We hope that you are able to steer the TSA toward protecting mass transit because that will be the next target of opportunity for various terrorists groups. You also have your work cut out for you since mass transit is an entirely different animal than aviation. Also, don’t forget about including freight rail in your plans as some mass transit share the rails with freight rail.