Originally Posted by
Superguy
West, that'd be a LOT easier to buy if TSA weren't touting as successes finding drug mules, people out on arrest warrants, people with large amounts of cash, etc, etc and also didn't offer rewards for finding such (as has been reported in the past). It trumpets these things as Big Catches® as if it were the very things they're looking for. And of course, you have to wonder about the changes to powders, etc, in light of Fofana restricting searches of items after they've been cleared for WEI.
Yeah, I know you state that the screener in Fofana acted incorrectly (as is the case any time a screener gets caught with their hand in the cookie jar). It looks like TSA is throwing these people under the bus for doing what they're supposed to do - the screeners are expendable. And if they are acting on their own and not following procedure correctly, then it shows an endemic problem of poor training because these situations happen all too frequently.
The changes to powders had to do with the fact that it was a security hole that was in the system. Powdered substances weren't checked regularly and it is a threat that has gained more popularity among nefarious groups. Look at the increase in public information on powdered substances and their abilities and a change to policy was a no brainer. By nature, certain types of powders can be an essential part of WEI, and therefore should be screened.
TSA publicizes the "Big Catches" because of the following reasons:
1) The items found are illegal
2) The people caught with these items are doing something illegal
3) It shows the agency is not sitting on it's laurels, and they are actually screening the people coming into the checkpoints
It is an easy way to let the public know that we are not just standing around waving people through and sending them on their way. I don't agree with the rewards thing, as finding WEI and reporting illegal items discovered while doing that is part of the TSO basic job description. Rewards should be given to people that find a more efficient way to work the processes and procedures, or that correct an ongoing safety issue, or do something outside of the normal scope of their job.
I don't just state that the TSO was wrong in that case, if I am informed enough about the case where any TSO has done something wrong, I state it then. The regulations are quite clear, we are not the DEA, FBI, or LEO of any sort, therefore we are not a part of some huge nationwide dragnet for illegal items. It is clear that we are to screen for WEI, and if something illegal (or suspected of being illegal) is found pursuant to that end, then it is to be reported to LEO - end of TSO job. IF TSOs are doing something else, then they need to be corrected.