How the TSA beat fliers into submission

[CPT Tripss]

Do you agree with everything your workplace has you do?

Pretty much. I'm sure that some folks using our service may find that some of what we do doesn't make sense. If they don't like the decision we make regarding them, they get due process. It is never my way or the highway as it is with an Airport Security Screener's decision. And, unlike the rules at the checkpoints, our rules are published and have public comment before we can impose them.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Seems to me that folks posting here have not demonized or insulted TSA employees.

Come on Tripps, many many other posts over the last few years have called TSA employee names nasty ones as well..............

As for "Theater," what would you call it when items are collected because they "might" be explosives and then stored in mass quantities right there at the checkpoint? That one practice makes it clear that TSA sees no danger, but they do want to make things look good to travelers.

No that means is maybe explosive when set off or stacked there for other reasons............whatever.

Again the theater shots are often referring to just the whole system of lines ad checking. I really wonder how many of the complainers would fly in a plane that has not gone though a security check and the passengers have not been check over?..........


Bottom line is taking cheap shot at people trying to do a hard job the best they can, especially when the person taking the shot is sitting home and the TSA employees are not here to defend themselves or the system, show poor character to my way of thinking.


AKK

 

[CPT Tripss]

No that means is maybe explosive when set off or stacked there for other reasons............whatever.

Again the theater shots are often referring to just the whole system of lines ad checking. I really wonder how many of the complainers would fly in a plane that has not gone though a security check and the passengers have not been check over?..........


Bottom line is taking cheap shot at people trying to do a hard job the best they can, especially when the person taking the shot is sitting home and the TSA employees are not here to defend themselves or the system, show poor character to my way of thinking.


AKK

No screening of pax and bags? The only people saying that are the "anything for security" crowd when they ignore the flaws and absurdities in the system. What you read here is that critics of the existing airport security screening want real security, not actions that are mere window dressing.

As far as character . . . "Just doing the job..." and "just following the rules... " isn't historically judged as good character.

 

[goofy4tink]

No screening of pax and bags? The only people saying that are the "anything for security" crowd when they ignore the flaws and absurdities in the system. What you read here is that critics of the existing airport security screening want real security, not actions that are mere window dressing.

As far as character . . . "Just doing the job..." and "just following the rules... " isn't historically judged as good character.

I believe this question has already been asked, but I'll ask it again. What do you feel would be 'real security'? Personally, I love the idea of bomb/drug sniffing dogs, but there is a huge outcry about them....'oooh, I'm allergic' or 'I don't want my poor child traumatized by the big scary dog'. I also have no issue with armed patrols within the terminals...again, huge outcry. I doubt limiting full size shampoo bottles is a big deterrent but it is what it is.

What would I like to see done? More checked bag screening, including stuff that is on that plane commercially! This is where my big issue lies. I have had stuff taken out of my checked bag....I don't pack anything I can't afford to lose. But when costume jewelry goes missing? Well, someone is getting a shock when they get to the pawn shop!

If I get to security, and my carryon stuff goes through the scanner, with no attitude from the screener, and I have a pleasant interchange with said screener and the people scanner person, then those employees are doing their jobs, in my very humble opinion. Yes, there are always going to be instances where a passenger feels 'abused' by the system, and/or an employee. But for crying out loud, that is happening all over the place, not just security in the airport.

So, I ask again....how would you like to see security go?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Doesn't matter what I think. It is what it is. There is nothing I can so to change it...up to Washington. So, I choose to just do what I have to do...call me a sheep, don't care.

I'm baaing right there beside you. It is what it is. I've found a way to make it as painless for me as possible. I'm satisfied with that.

 

[CPT Tripss]

OK Mod, you asked. Don't blame me if it creates more work for you.

Eliminate the document checker and redeploy to screening.

Use one way exit doors from airside, eliminate those positions and redeploy to screening.

Screen everything that goes into the baggage compartment.

Screen every passenger in the same manner used of PreCheck.

Modify, increase, the liquid limits.

Take a lot of items, particularly sports equipment and tools, off the prohibited from carry on list. Realize that all kinds of permitted common everyday items can become dangerous weapons in the hands of a person with bad intent. Pens, pencils, keys, belts, shoelaces, lanyards, newspapers and even the lap blanket.

Sniffer dogs are fine, just realize they are limited in the time they can work. Armed patrols on the other hand - nope, don't need them. Airports have adequate police presence already. In reality, both are mostly theater.

I don't have a fix for the biggest problem. The amount of dangerous items missed at the checkpoint. "Red Teams" manage to get all kinds of bad stuff through the checkpoint with a high success rate. It's only reasonable to conclude that the "bad guys" have similar success. Some security experts think it is, at least partially, because screeners are focused innocuous items that are on the "banned list."