Originally Posted by spotnik

Boggie Dog is right in this instance. TSA's job is limited to making sure that passengers and property do not present a threat to airplanes or aviation infrastructure. Yes, we are required to follow TSA work rules, but even those are ostensibly linked to the safety of aviation.

Actually, we have the authority to ask anything we like as it pertains to potential threats to aviation. We ought to be very careful with anything outside of that purview, so as to avoid unnecessary and inappropriate constraint of liberty.

Which rights did Mr. Bierfeldt have? How about the right to be treated with respect? The right to an honest answer to his questions? The right to know if he was, in fact, legally required to answer the questions posed to him? (He wasn't) The right to know if he was being detained? The right to contact a representative if he was, in fact, in legal jeopardy?

Please refer to my earlier post re: "both are to blame"

Actually, many of the people here have extensive experience with TSA. They can actually provide some insightful discussion and feedback if you give them a chance.

This is a description of any public security work. It may be frustrating, but that is the job you signed up for. It's also largely a safe job (well, except for the OJI issues) and comes with a decent pay/benefit package for the level of work and expertise required.

Oh, and I tend to do well with the passengers who see us a jack-booted thugs, ect. I had one passenger call me gestapo, and shake my hand by the end of the screening. It's all in how you treat people.

As you say, you have only been here a few weeks. There have been a significant number of potentially productive discussions on this forum. Yes, there are people who just want to complain, and there are people who just come here to bash/make fun of TSA. That's part of what you sign on for when you choose to represent TSA to the traveling public.

Can you at least stop denigrating constitutional and other civil rights and liberties on public forums? Some of us took that "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States..." thing seriously.

Actually, the point is that passengers should be able to easily access said rules and policies should they choose to educate themselves before approaching the checkpoint.