Originally Posted by
bdschobel
February 17, 10:01 a.m., DL2059, ATL-TPA, Gate A17 in Atlanta: I was first in line (with a first-class seat), waiting to board when at least six TSA smurfs arrived, including at least three two-stripers, carting some sort of machine. The two-striper who seemed to be in charge spoke to the gate agent, who announced, "These nice TSA officers are going to be checking all IDs, so get them out for inspection. After they check your IDs, you can give me your boarding pass to board the plane. They will also be randomly checking bags. Anyone who does not cooperate will not be allowed to board." That's pretty close to verbatim. The lead smurf nodded approvingly. Really. I also noticed a sign repeating the essence of the agent's last sentence.
It appeared that every passenger's ID was checked (or glanced at, anyway). I have no idea what that was supposed to accomplish. Obviously, it accomplished nothing meaningful.
Bruce
A taxpayer funded cheque and display of ego, as well as power.
In some countries railoads have a position that flags a train to continue on or to stop. One such employee got married and told his wife that he held a job that gave him so much power that he could stop even the most important train by waving a red flag. The wise was really impressed and considered herself lucky to be married to such a powerful man and exclaimed, "Really! I have got to see that!" The guy put on his uniform, not much unlike the TSA smurfs, and stood by the tracks, with the red flag in his hand, when the fastest train in the system was to whiz by. As the time for the train approached, he started waving the flag. To the wife's amazement, the train came to a screeching halt. The engine operator stepped down to ask the flagman "what is going on? The flagman asked him "Where are we going today?"The engine operator asked him again"What's going on?". "Nothing at all!", the flag man responded, "I just wanted to show my wife how important my job is and how much power my job gives me."
That's what TSA smurfs are accomplishing. Demonstration of power.
