Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - How much do we really hate the TSA?

CNN: How much do we really hate the TSA? (http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/01/travel/tsa-complaints/index.html)

So maybe we hate TSA less now than in 2010??
:)

Since the start of 2010, the highest number of complaints -- 18,196 -- related to damage claims for checked bags, problems for which airlines and the TSA share liability. (It's also the area that experienced the biggest decreases in recent complaint tallies.) In second place, at 10,187, were complaints about treatment of personal property at security checkpoints.

The mood toward the TSA isn't good, but it was worse in late 2010, when the TSA began to deploy full-body scanners and pat-downs in airports, said National Geographic Traveler's ombudsman and consumer advocate, Christopher Elliott.

So maybe we hate TSA less now than in 2010?

Or a large number of people stopped complaining because they stopped traveling by air at all after 2010.

I'm personally acquainted with at least six people like that.

Others may have simply stopped complaining to the TSA because such complaints are futile.

After long enough exposure the human nose will get used to the smell of raw sewage. That's all that's happening here.

I think the reason people have stopped complaining about the scanners is because those who complained have been exempted (pilots, frequent fliers, elderly, kids, etc.).

I think it's time to end of TSA immediately. Sending the letter to your US Congressman immediately. They will kicked federal government out of US Airports immediately. Signs the petition End of TSA Act.

I think it's time to end of TSA immediately. Sending the letter to your US Congressman immediately. They will kicked federal government out of US Airports immediately. Signs the petition End of TSA Act.

Somehow I think it would take more than this to bring an end to the TSA. Airport security is not going anywhere anytime soon...

I think the reason people have stopped complaining about the scanners is because those who complained have been exempted (pilots, frequent fliers, elderly, kids, etc.).

Of course, PreCheck makes life easier...but as long as I'm on international itineraries, I can only take advantage of it occasionally...

The greatest majority of people do not care. This of us that do have found complaining does not work.

We have moved from trying to eliminate the travesty by group or collective protest, to individual avoidance in whatever way we can find is possible. Some have surrendered. I will admit that for me, I made the decision to accept the ATR system as inevitable and not nearly as intrusive as the grope. Do I like it or agree with it? Never. It is just the choice I made.

The greatest majority of people do not care. Those of us that do have found complaining does not work.

The one time I complained (letter to airport director about harassment secondary, forwarded to regional TSA) I received such an aggressive and accusatory letter from TSA in return, I won't do that again.

That said I have been lucky lately with the SDOOs. It's been weeks since my last patdown. And when SDOO is possible I see longer lines at the WTMDs than at the NoS, suggesting to me that more people are consciously choosing to avoid the latter when able.

Responding to the OP's original question:

Who's keeping score? TSA? There's no outside independent agency keeping track of complaints. TSA has made it very difficult, in many cases, to register a complaint (procedures differ from one airport to another). There was also an article recently about an FOIA request for complaints that was finally answered - four years later (I think it was an EPIC request).

As long as the process isn't easy and as long as it isn't front-ended by an independent agency, there's no way to accurately measure the number of complaints. TSA has, to date, shown no interest in honest self-policing of its own ranks.

Sadly, if TSA did make the process easy and non-punitive and did follow up on complaints, it would probably improve morale for its own workers, as well as save the agency publicity embarrassments. When a member of the public 'uncovers' a theft ring that has been going on for months (no complaints? seriously?), when a female member of Congress publicly complains about a specific screener at her home airport, when TSOs are arrested for drug/theft rings as the result of outside agency investigation, when TSOs get to work for a manager who was defrocked by the Catholic Church for molesting young girls -that can't be good for the morale of TSOs who are face a suspicious, wary public and who have to live with the negative perceptions of their agency.

Or a large number of people stopped complaining because they stopped traveling by air at all after 2010.

I'm personally acquainted with at least six people like that.

Others may have simply stopped complaining to the TSA because such complaints are futile.

Add my husband, myself and about two dozen other people that we know that stopped traveling because of the antics of the TSA. I am confident that there are hundreds of thousands around the world like me.

I will be taking my first trip since 2010, next fall. I am not looking forward to it at all, but my husband is having withdrawls from not seeing Hawaii twice a year since 2010. We are getting prepared for the old Grope-A-Dope.

How much do we really hate the TSA?This is a trick question, right? ;)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/awesomeoptimus/6798751471/

How much do we really hate the TSA?

Not nearly enough. But we're working on it!

According to TSA data? Um, we seem to have a fox and hen house issue here.

But my guess is that people have just gotten so indoctrinated into the procedures that they have given up.

Mike