Originally Posted by
clrankin
I hear all too often that so many TSOs are there to defend "God and Country" and that they're doing their "patriotic duty". TSA likes to put the good 'ol red, white, & blue behind them every chance they get. Their indoctrination seemingly gets people to believe that they're the last line between some terrorists who are "out to get us all" and a helpless, flailing public that's afraid of its own shadow. They tell their employees that screening procedures-- the one thing the agency should demonstrate competence at-- are "SSI" and not to be revealed to the public.
Think football. Would it be wise to provide the other team with your playbook months before the game? Would it be wise to provide them with your playbook just before the game? What would that do to your chances of winning?
Originally Posted by
clrankin
I'm calling bull on this. There are far too many examples of TSOs being abusive to customers, and TSOs trampling passenger rights for me to believe that the organization is patriotic and supports a free America. There are far too many screw-ups and moronic policies for me to believe that the organization is capable of keeping our country safe. And there are far too many examples of uncaring employees-- or those that just sleep on the job-- for me to believe that the organization's culture fosters a desire to serve others.
“far to many”. How many? Numbers please. We know that the TSA deals with 2,000,000+ passengers every day, which is more than the population of Alaska or Wyoming and 11 other states in these 50 United States of America (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._by_population), so you might want to give a bit of scale to exactly how many of those 2,000,000+ per day you think are being abused by us. Be specific, and try not to fall into the pit where the trolls reside.
Originally Posted by
clrankin
I'd like to believe otherwise; I really would. I'd like to believe that TSA cares about passenger rights, but there's no passenger bill of rights or language to show that comfort is even taken into consideration. I'd like to believe that TSA cares about security, but there's no evidence that it supports policies and procedures to make the sterile area truly secure. I'd like to believe that TSA fosters an environment of excellence, but there are far too many examples to prove otherwise.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_tears
Originally Posted by
clrankin
I don't think a single person in this forum is completely against security under any circumstances. I don't think a single person in this forum is opposed to using X-rays and quick administrative searches to screen people. I don't think a single person in this forum wants to see another airliner go down. But I do think that people in this forum are tired-- they're tired of seeing their money wasted on useless people, useless technology, and moronic policies. They're tired of being harassed by people who have relatively few interpersonal relation skills. They're tired of seeing mistake after mistake, and being told that "things differ between airports" and "that's SSI"-- when TSA was established to create and maintain a standard set of policies between all airports. They're tired of the bumbling and foolishness, and can see right through it. They know the emperor has no clothes, and take issue with those who outright lie and call them "wonderful silk pajamas".
I don’t think the vast majority of the posters here understand what security it or how it is achieved. I don’t think you understand the policies you dislike so much because you have not taken the time to think about them or your stand. I believe that the vast majority of posters here are ignorant (not meant as a slight but in the actual meaning of the word) of many of the things they find irritating about the TSA because they do not understand the reasons behind it. I think the TSA has it problems, problems that can be fixed and that someone out there is trying to do just that. I think the TSA needs a leader, but I don’t think our current administration is capable of finding such a person using the same template that they have for the last two attempts.
Originally Posted by
clrankin
And, perhaps most of all, they're tired of the personal attacks and insults that get hurled at them every time someone claiming to be in the TSA gets backed into a corner when posting on this forum. It's ironic that only the other week some TSA'ers were calling for more civility, yet they don't act very civil themselves. Pot, meet kettle.
And perhaps most of all, you miss the point that when 45,000 people are required to deal with 2,000,000+ people every day, from all walks of life, with all levels of education, with every possible belief / problem / fear / whatever under the sun, that they
cannot all be treated the same. You miss the point, that everyone who boards a commercial aircraft must under-go screening. That the end requirements for that screening must be the same, even if different routes are required to get there. You miss the point that anyone, ANYONE, can be a terrorist. You miss the point, that we don’t treat you like terrorists, we treat you like someone who needs to be screened, for the safety of all the other passengers.
Originally Posted by
clrankin
Is this really the TSA you envisioned when you joined? Are these really the policies that you signed up to enforce? (No hiding behind the tired, old "I'm just following orders" line. It didn't work for Hitler's followers and it won't work for Gail's followers either.) Can you really say that you're proud of what you do and who your employer is? How many people have negative reactions or couch their disgust in a joke when you tell them? Doesn't it get tiring and embarassing to have to come on these forums and defend your organization day after day after day? Obviously I'm not expecting an answer to the above questions; they're just intended as food for thought.
You also miss the point that we are also Americans, all the more so because we have chosen to serve the public, for the sake of the public.
Yes, it is, and not only am I proud of being a member I know what it means. You obviously cannot say the same.
Originally Posted by
Combat Medic
OK, I'll draw you a picture.
Screenings at airports by TSA an agency that falls under the Department of Homeland Security
Screenings at bus stations by TSA an agency that falls under the Department of Homeland Security
Screenings at metro stations by TSA an agency that falls under the Department of Homeland Security
Screenings at cruise ports by TSA an agency that falls under the Department of Homeland Security
100 mile Constitution free zone enforced by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement an agency that falls under the Department of Homeland Security
The TSA has said all along that the federal government searching my belongs without warrant or probable cause is not a violation of my rights since I have a choice. I can fly or I can not fly. If I fly then I am voluntarily presenting myself for screening. But with the TSA reaching into everything laid out above I wonder how that can be the case.
So, the TSA has taken away all of my public transport options to travel to DC and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances without mandatory searches and ICE has done the same for me driving myself I ask you, how is it voluntary?
"public transport"
Point
Game
Match