I will show respect if a TSO meets ALL of the following conditions in any interaction:

1. No pervasive "respect my authority" attitude. TSA is in a primarily customer service role, and this is something that they - from the top down - do not seem to understand. Of course, that's what you get when you hire a corrupt cop with an ego problem to run the organization. (Yes, I realize that "cop" and "ego problem" are essentially the same description. )

2. Respect for passenger privacy and belongings. TSA needs to strictly adhere to a policy of passenger control over their possessions at all times, to include being able to see them 100% of the time while transiting a checkpoint. TSA also needs to strictly adhere to a policy of not opening bags and handling passenger belongings without first obtaining explicit permission from the passenger to do so.

3. No barking. It goes hand in hand with #1 above, but is worth stating in its own point. Only those who have not flown at all in the past decade are unfamiliar with the shoe fetish, liquid fetish, and other needless frivolities at the checkpoint. They can be gently reminded by other passengers, or just read the myriad of signs that our taxpayer money was wasted on while standing in line. We don't need to further waste money by employing TSOs to do the "three S shuffle" - Stand, Stare, and Scream.

4. Politeness. Here it is again... TSA is primarily a customer service agency. If you want people on your side, the best way to achieve that result is to be nice, respectful, and polite to them at all times. Otherwise, you'll wind up with people like me as passengers - folks who would walk past a TSO bleeding to death on the floor and be more concerned about battery usage on his cell phone before a long flight.

5. No tolerance for criminal activity among employees. I'm really sick and tired of hearing the "...bad apple... not reflective of agency... and other bad apples who work here..." blurb from TSA. Perhaps if TSA were to step up efforts to curb the rampant criminal activity among its ranks, it would get a little more respect as an organization.

6. Strict adherence to Constitutional limitations. This is one of the most important, if not the most important. TSA should not be used as an end run around the Fourth Amendment or Fifth Amendment. The organization has a strict Fourth Amendment exception to search for WEI using the least intrusive means possible, and should stick strictly to that... No narc'ing about large sums of money, drugs, possible parent kidnappers, or any other craziness. I don't care if they find Jimmy Hoffa or Bernie Madoff in a dress trying to escape the country - their only concern should be whether or not they're carrying WEI. And they shouldn't have to frisk the person or see their naked body to find out. This also applies to agents who think the First Amendment doesn't apply at checkpoints - they should be given one final "retraining" and then fired if they can't comply.

7. Elimination of dead weight. Let's implement the three strikes rule. No, I'll go even better - a four strikes rule. First mistake, the TSO gets a verbal warning. Second mistake, they get a formal reprimand. Third mistake, demotion in pay grade. Fourth mistake, summary dismissal on the spot. Yank the badge and patch off their hotel bellhop uniform on the spot.

8. Understanding of limitations of power. TSA needs to explain to its agents that they are not law enforcement in any way, shape, or form. Their job is to be courteous, professional, efficient glorified luggage porters who are responsible for ensuring that WEI does not come aboard the plane. If they wish to be customs enforcement or law enforcement agents they should quit their TSA job and apply for positions with the appropriate agencies. A strict policy of reprimands for discourteous and/or unprofessional behavior should be enforced, subject to the four strikes rule outlined above. Make a bad joke, say something disrespectful, not provide service with a smile... get fired. It should be that simple.

9. Elimination of wasteful procedure. Pervert-o-Vision goes back to the unethical slime that pushed it on us to begin with. Law enforcement frisks are reserved for law enforcement agents once probable cause has been established. Unopened bottles of liquid are allowed through. The idiotic "no fly list" which hasn't made us one single iota safer is abolished. We go back to what worked for decades... metal detector for passengers, and x-ray for baggage. Passengers may also be expected to go through one of those "puffer" machines - but that's it as far as procedure goes. After those minimally invasive procedures a simple "up or down" (yes or no) decision is made for admission to the sterile area with no games, threats, or delay tactics allowed.

Once the above is instituted and strictly adhered to at TSA checkpoints, I would argue that most of its problems will go away. And its employees will likely also be respected.