I wonder why those charged with improving homeland security don't
employ professionals to advise them.

I say that tongue-in-cheek: professionals are not known for P.C.

We must work with the system we have, but I'm dismayed by the
incompentence.

The trigger here is the recent ban against a carryon BIC lighter.
Good grief! I suppose a BIC could be used as a weapon, but
prohibiting them doesn't present even a minor nuisance to a
professional.