This is why I drive

[LadyBeBop]

To begin with.....first the writer states that you don't even have to have a diploma or GED to become a TSA employee. But, further down, he states that it's well known that the TSA employees are using this job to get a better govt job....really??? Without a high school education? Doubt it.

Your definition of what's a better government job might be different than mine. To me, it's a job that will pay at least as much as what a TSA employee makes.

I've worked for the government for nearly 30 years. I started off as a GS-3 and quickly moved my up to a GS-4. Today, a GS-4/step 1 would make $14/hour in the Cincinnati area and $15/hour in the NYC/Newark area. While a GS-4, I worked with a high school dropout who was thinking about going back for her GED. She eventually got it...through work. I think some of her studies were during work time.

So there are good government jobs that do not require a diploma or a GED. But with the bad economy, you probably need a stepping stone job to get them.

Also, the vacation leave mentioned in the article is actually more generous than portrayed. It's four hours vacation leave for every two weeks worked only for the first three years of working for the TSA (or any US government agency). After three years, it's six hours vacation for every two weeks. And after 15 years, it's eight hours for every two weeks. Right now, I get over five weeks vacation. And you can carry over from government agencies. I had a year-long temp position with another agency. As a result, i got my six hours leave in after only two years working for my present agency.

As so why we drive? Because our airport (Greater Cincinnati) is one of the two or three most expensive airports to fly in and out of. And once we fly the two hours to Louisville or Indianapolis; well it's just better to drive the rest of the way.

 

[sam_gordon]

<stuff>

OK, so we should do away with the TSA because they're sexually assaulting children, is that what you're advocating?

 

[CPT Tripss]

Ridiculous! You are only patted down by a screener of the same sex. Besides, most people are not physically patted down and no one is being sexually assaulted by TSA. Calm down!

Statistically it is much safer to fly than drive, but to each his own.

Are you really asserting that pedophiles only target victims of the opposite sex?

Maybe "most" flyers are not "patted down", but a lot are. And remember that a hands on body search done according to SOP involves the Airport Security Screener making contact with the subject's genitals and breasts. Many people consider that to be assault.

 

[CPT Tripss]

"Stolen" from FlyerTalk thread on the same article.

The whole point of the TSA is not to provide security, but to provide visible evidence of "something being done". It's supposed to be theatre not a real security process.

The real work is done in cubicles in windowless rooms. If a real terrorist gets anywhere near an airport then the system has failed.

Problem is - it's darn expensive theater!

 

[MolonLabe]

OK, so we should do away with the TSA because they're sexually assaulting children, is that what you're advocating?

As if the fact that they are NOT effective wasn't enough? Yes.

On 9-1-1 the screening process didn't fail. Had the screeners working that day been wearing blue, nothing would have been different.

The only thing that has changed is a less effective group is controlling screening and is part of an organization that is never held accountable because it's a part of a massive government bureaucracy.

Speaking of more brilliance from the TSA, they are allowing knives on board again...
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items

 

[sam_gordon]

<more stuff>

never mind. It's not worth the electrons.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This child is behaving normally, "stop touching me". Exactly what any child should do when a stranger starts touching them inappropriately-
http://youtu.be/lFoa0LsqVbQ

This video repeats the same scene of the TSA agent checking the arms and legs of the child. Any 'inappropriate' touching here was performed by the parent - who seems to be holding on to the child between the legs.

No hands down the pants? How about this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGGfR...46512AB2ECCAB6

The backs of the top of the agent's fingers running along the inside of the front waistband of the girl's jeans? Really? You equate that with "hands down the pants"?

 

[goofy4tink]

Your definition of what's a better government job might be different than mine. To me, it's a job that will pay at least as much as what a TSA employee makes.

I've worked for the government for nearly 30 years. I started off as a GS-3 and quickly moved my up to a GS-4. Today, a GS-4/step 1 would make $14/hour in the Cincinnati area and $15/hour in the NYC/Newark area. While a GS-4, I worked with a high school dropout who was thinking about going back for her GED. She eventually got it...through work. I think some of her studies were during work time.

So there are good government jobs that do not require a diploma or a GED. But with the bad economy, you probably need a stepping stone job to get them.

Also, the vacation leave mentioned in the article is actually more generous than portrayed. It's four hours vacation leave for every two weeks worked only for the first three years of working for the TSA (or any US government agency). After three years, it's six hours vacation for every two weeks. And after 15 years, it's eight hours for every two weeks. Right now, I get over five weeks vacation. And you can carry over from government agencies. I had a year-long temp position with another agency. As a result, i got my six hours leave in after only two years working for my present agency.

As so why we drive? Because our airport (Greater Cincinnati) is one of the two or three most expensive airports to fly in and out of. And once we fly the two hours to Louisville or Indianapolis; well it's just better to drive the rest of the way.

Oh, I agree with what constitutes a better job. My issue was the writer saying that you don't need a GED or diploma to get a job with the TSA, but that it is well known that a lot of TSA workers are just there in order to work their way up to a better govt job.....not an exact quote but the same meaning.

Are you really asserting that pedophiles only target victims of the opposite sex?

Maybe "most" flyers are not "patted down", but a lot are. And remember that a hands on body search done according to SOP involves the Airport Security Screener making contact with the subject's genitals and breasts. Many people consider that to be assault.

I have been patted down, my dd has been patted down. Not one time was it offensive. The TSA worker was efficient and pleasant. They never 'touched' anything that made me, or dd, feel uncomfortable.

There are a lot of people out there that are uncomfortable getting hugged. So..does that make me a sex offender if I hug someone that doesn't like being touched?
People know that they may have to 'suffer' addtl security measures when flying. They should know, in advance, that those measures may involve 'touching'. They have a choice here...if they don't want to take that minimal chance of being touched, then they don't have to fly.
It is usually the uninformed flier that ends up being pat down. They are the ones that don't understand how security screening works. They try to leave their shoes on, they don't want to take their jackets off, or their belts. They leave stuff in their pockets. There are usually reasons that people are subjected to pat downs.

I find this comparison to sexual assault to be offensive. It in no way compares with assault. You don't want to be touched? Then stick with your car. But, these types of discussions will not be allowed here. Either stop the sexual assault comparisons or stop posting. And thanks so much for the definition. I'm sure all of us are now completely informed as to what sexual assault actually is!!! That 'definition' really served no purpose other than to provide some shock valued.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Are you really asserting that pedophiles only target victims of the opposite sex?

Maybe "most" flyers are not "patted down", but a lot are. And remember that a hands on body search done according to SOP involves the Airport Security Screener making contact with the subject's genitals and breasts. Many people consider that to be assault.

Don't put words into my mouth. The poster I cited mentioned "goons" assaulting his (her?) daughters, which implies men patting down young girls.

Your anti-TSA views are well known to any regular readers of this forum; I take posts made by those with known agendas with a grain of salt. No one has their breasts fondled by TSA; in a pat down, they place the side of the flat of their hand between the breasts. No one has their genitals purposely touched.

Anyone who gets so worked up over the remote possibility of having to "endure" a few seconds of a pat down should not fly. You have the choice.

 

[gmeh1]

It's true, security experts throughout the industry and internal DOJ reports agree.

It's theater, nothing more.



I would agree with you, if it was the NY post's opinion.



A lot? Like what?

A GED or Highschool diploma + a background check identical to what is run when you buy a gun and a few hours worth of training? I'd call that about the same as the guy guarding the u-store-it after hours.

People allow themselves and their children to be sexually assaulted for something that does nothing to stop terrorists.

Giving some dolt with a GED a fancy blue uniform a few hours worth of training and calling him agent doesn't him/her qualified or capable and it certainly doesn't give them the right to touch little children's gentiles and stick their hands down their pants.

Little girl in wheelchair crying "I don't want to go to Disney anymore"
http://youtu.be/pZvrxVx3dBE

That's why I spent my valuable time to drive to WDW back in November, instead of flying and risking some goon assaulting my daughters.

Because it's still a bad touch, even if the pedophile is wearing a blue shirt.

One: the NY post is owned by Rupert Murdoch and his NEWS is known to be suspect. They find people to interview to inflame the public.
Two: How do I know? I know quite a few TSA agents, I used to work at MCO and those people take their job quite seriously.
Three: If you chose to drive, that is your choice. But, to say that anyone is molested is really a bit over the top. No one touches genitals or sticks their hands down anyone's pants. I have seen the video you mentioned. She was not crying because she was being touched, she was having a fit because her doll was taken away.

 

[robinb]

That was one of the most poorly written articles that I have read in a "newspaper". Heck, the Onion when it's trying to sound lame and moronic doesn't have anything on that nameless reporter. That being said, I have always believed the TSA to be Security Theater.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Don't put words into my mouth. The poster I cited mentioned "goons" assaulting his (her?) daughters, which implies men patting down young girls.

Your anti-TSA views are well known to any regular readers of this forum; I take posts made by those with known agendas with a grain of salt. No one has their breasts fondled by TSA; in a pat down, they place the side of the flat of their hand between the breasts. No one has their genitals purposely touched.

Anyone who gets so worked up over the remote possibility of having to "endure" a few seconds of a pat down should not fly. You have the choice.

Speaking of putting words in someone's mouth - I never said "fondled"

Thanks for confirming that breasts are touched. I can tell you from experience that Airport Security Screeners do in fact make contact with genitals when they perform a hand search. It occurs when they run their hands up one's legs until they "resistance."

 

[kaytieeldr]

Speaking of putting words in someone's mouth - I never said "fondled"

Thanks for confirming that breasts are touched. I can tell you from experience that Airport Security Screeners do in fact make contact with genitals when they perform a hand search. It occurs when they run their hands up one's legs until they "resistance."

I can't find a single definition of sternum that encompasses breasts. Is it possible people might take you more seriously if you didn't exaggerate?

 

[robinb]

I can't find a single definition of sternum that encompasses breasts. Is it possible people might take you more seriously if you didn't exaggerate?

I have had my breasts touched by a TSA agent. I prefer to be patted down than go through one of the scanners. It's totally impersonal and not a "grope" but definitely still a touch on the breasts themselves (and under them, BTW) and not just between them on the sternum.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks for confirming that breasts are touched. I can tell you from experience that Airport Security Screeners do in fact make contact with genitals when they perform a hand search. It occurs when they run their hands up one's legs until they "resistance."

I haven't had genitals touched during the leg part of the patdown, and I don't consider the chest part of the patdown to be touching my breasts. Back of a hand making sure I don't have something hidden in the bottom of my bra isn't touching my breast. And even 66 pounds heavier my sternum could be touched with the side of the hand without touching breast tissue.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I have had my breasts touched by a TSA agent. I prefer to be patted down than go through one of the scanners. It's totally impersonal and not a "grope" but definitely still a touch on the breasts themselves (and under them, BTW) and not just between them on the sternum.

It is difficult to feel the sternum, a bone, without touching the soft tissues that cover the bone isn't it. In fact the rational for the technique used in the hand search performed by the Airport Security Screeners is to feel whether there is anything added to or hidden by this soft tissue.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I'm having flashbacks to the posts of Paul T. in the days of rec.arts.disney.parks Usenet group.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[goofy4tink]

This is serving no purpose. If you are going to fly, you need to inform yourself of all eventualities. If you don't want to take the chance of being pat down, then don't fly. Very simple.
We are now done.