“$56 billion later, airport security is junk,” is how Danger Room today sums up former Delta security advisor Ben Brandt’s take on the state of airport security efforts.

“The feds should be less concerned with what gels your aunt puts in her carry-on, and more concerned about lax screening for terrorist sympathizers among the airlines’ own work force,” the Wired story says. “They should be worried about terrorists shipping their bombs in air cargo. And they should be worried about terrorists shooting or bombing airports without ever crossing the security gates.”

A “fundamental overhaul,” is what Brandt’s Nov. 30 story in a security newsletter suggests.

“Not only is the aviation industry failing to keep up with the new terrorist tactics, TSA’s regimen of scanning and groping is causing a public backlash. “From the public’s perspective, this kind of refocusing would reduce the amount of screening they have to put up with in the United States,” Brandt tells Danger Room, “and refocus it where it’s needed.” ”