Originally Posted by DAL4550

When you wear the uniform an organization that employs you, it is expected that you behave in a certain way. As a retired LEO, I NEVER wore my uniform except at work. I did not want the responsibility, nor liability even in the short distance from my home to work. Chillian, unfortunately, you have accepted the lower standards that has become the TSA. You can't on one hand, rewrite the bill of rights, and then on the other hand act like an imbecile in public. Although, I will admit that the TSA look like imbeciles no matter what the venue. Particularly when the phrase "do you want to fly today?" spews out of their mouths. There is a reason that this organization is not respected. This just adds to it.

Originally Posted by jkhuggins

Because, when you wear a uniform, you represent the organization that issues the uniform, even when you're off-duty. When you act unprofessionally while wearing a uniform, you convey the impression that those who wear the uniform are unprofessional --- exactly the opposite idea that a uniform is intended to convey.

This isn't unique to TSA, of course. Any uniformed service has rules about what one may do, and not do, while wearing the uniform --- precisely for this reason.

If TSA wants to make a big deal about demanding respect for its employees, and try to encourage that respect by creating uniforms which look like those worn by law enforcement, then its employees wearing the uniform need to act respectfully when wearing them.

And having said all that ... yeah, it's probably not a big deal.