Strong disagree. Experts at airport security might for instance:
* Have intimate knowledge of the kinds of day-to-day security events that actually occur in airports
* May be intimately acquainted with security incidents and interdictions that haven't been reported on in the media
* Might have detailed knowledge of the processes by which various types of employees gain access to airport facilities
* Might have detailed knowledge of the monitoring and surveillance systems employed within the airport
* Might have detailed knowledge of specific vulnerabilities to airplanes or fueling systems or other airport facilities
I bring this up because there are people who know this stuff who have been vocally opposed to the TSA. For instance, FBI Counterterrorism Agent Steven Moore. Or: an even better figurehead than Schneier: former counterterrorism "czar" Richard Clarke.
It's extremely telling. Schneier does know about the issues, and the TSA official, IMHO, totally fails to substantially counter any of his arguments. Of course, you should read it yourself to form your own opinions.
Sure, someone who works at an airport might know about details we or Schneier don't know about. Well, then, great. They should tell us. They haven't.
I'm not arguing against the inclusion of other experts, whether in addition to or as a replacement for Schneier. Other experts are great. But they aren't being included either. The question here seems to be "include opposition" vs. not. It's not "include Schneier" vs. someone else instead.
I don't disagree with you that Schneier may not be the most ideal representative of the opposition to the TSA. I'm simply saying that, to a well-informed congress, in an ideal world, Schneier's word should still count for something.
Edit: I'll also add that detailed knowledge of airport security systems isn't strictly necessary to argue against the TSA if general knowledge of common security principles is enough to prove the inadequacies of their methods.
* Have intimate knowledge of the kinds of day-to-day security events that actually occur in airports
* May be intimately acquainted with security incidents and interdictions that haven't been reported on in the media
* Might have detailed knowledge of the processes by which various types of employees gain access to airport facilities
* Might have detailed knowledge of the monitoring and surveillance systems employed within the airport
* Might have detailed knowledge of specific vulnerabilities to airplanes or fueling systems or other airport facilities
I bring this up because there are people who know this stuff who have been vocally opposed to the TSA. For instance, FBI Counterterrorism Agent Steven Moore. Or: an even better figurehead than Schneier: former counterterrorism "czar" Richard Clarke.