Dude, you're cool and all (especially for being part of the TSA
) but in this case, I have to respectfully disagree. You may not think it's a big deal, I may not think it's a big deal, but the parents did. The parents have a right to feel uncomfortable, especially when having their 3-year old infant being "interviewed" by a stranger in a bright blue uniform. Maybe some kids would enjoy that experience, but that infant didn't, and for that reason alone, it was wrong of the TDC to do what he did. Good intentions or not.
So, yeah, I've gotta disagree...but I do think perhaps the parents kind of made it into a bigger deal than they should have. Still. It's their kid. They have a right to feel that way. Thus, they aren't making an "inconsquential outrage."
Originally Posted by
HSVTSO Dean
Which is exactly what I was talking about. It's not a "policy." Just because someone in a TSA uniform talks to someone who isn't, that doesn't make them a BDO, and it doesn't mean that they're playing SPOT. There ain't that many BDOs in the TSA (off-hand, I want to say it's, like, 8% or so, given the released numbers of uniformed TSA personnel versus BDOs).
It wasn't an interrogation. The dude was just trying to be friendly. Like I said, I've seen children react the exact same way to
Santa Clause, or to any
various and
sundry other
things. It's what kids do.
It's not cause for discipline on the TSO's part, and it's something that, in the grand scheme of things, is just ridiculous to get all bent out of shape over. He probably talks to dozens of children a day, and they probably get a big bright smile and announce their names and he gives a big bright smile back and tells them, by their name, to have a great trip.
It's an inconsequential outrage.