Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
Serious question, because I don't know the answer:
What qualifies him as an expert?
I ask because his own "about me" section just lists what he's published and his appearances, and about his activism. So going by only that, he's clearly expert in giving his opinions, but I missed what ever experience and/or training he has that informs those opinions.
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That's a reasonable question, and one that not enough people ask of many self-proclaimed experts. I know that Bruce Schneier started out as a computer scientist, and is an expert in cryptography and computer security, and is a lecturer at Harvard University on computer security and the law. He's written a number of academic papers on security in general society as well as computer and internet security. Former TSA head Kip Hawley took his criticisms of the agency seriously. Is Schneier always right? Nope! Does he know all of the classified threats with respect to aviation security? Nope! However, I do consider him to be a better informed person with respect to how aviation security works and what the current security regime does well and does poorly, and unlike our government experts, he explains his position rather than just saying "trust us".
Apparently, the threat risk for removing laptops, tablets and ebook readers from the main cabin has been revealed to be super thin plastic explosives. It still doesn't explain how this will prevent terrorists from using sensors to trigger such explosives once the air pressure drops to in-flight values.