That is completely different. The TSA is there to make passengers feel safer. As long as you don't read news stories about their failures then it works.
The fake bomb detectors make people feel safer as well. It acts as a small deterrent as long as nobody knows it is bs.
We know that security through obscurity is a doomed idea in the long run. I am not trying to defend the purchases. I'm just trying to present a view of the lowly peon who has to operate this magic wand. They need people to believe this thing works.
