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Old Sep 26, 2008 | 11:08 am
  #21  
Wally Bird
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,972
Originally Posted by FWAAA
Please don't take offense, as none was intended. What I see (as former military myself) is that too many of the screeners issue orders to passengers like Sgt Carter screaming to Gomer. THAT's the big problem. Military officers have perfected issuing orders - and that's what we have at the TSA right now. The top issues orders and each level of command re-issues orders. Finally, we get the screeners yelling orders at us.
I'm going to agree with this and that's nothing personal, Bob.

In the haste of putting together the TSA it seems clear that a quasi-military model was adopted. I think that direction was wrong-headed. Civilian security should be conducted by civilians using civil laws and civil practices. It takes a long time and considerable effort for an ex-soldier, ex-cop, ex-guard etc. to shed the mindset of regimentation, obedience and adherence. Many never do, they just carry it forward to their next job. Even worse are the wannabes who are not ex-anything but wish they had been. Far too many of both types in the TSA screening force and yet the TSA still seemingly believes these are the very type of candidates they want. No.

I'm a civilian, I'm not under military jurisdiction. And I shouldn't be just to board a civil airliner.
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