When the TSOs didn't feel respected, the agency gave them blue shirts and shiney metal badges in an effort to appear more like LEOs in hopes that it would provide some additional respect from the travelers. To the casual or infrequent traveler, it may have worked. However, to the frequent traveler - it only added to the lack of respect as the TSOs began to swagger in their new duds, thinking they were something that they aren't.

Another fallout from the uniform change was a loss of respect by true sworn LEOs -- who view the blue shirts and metal badges as being "wannabe" items for fast food grade bag screeners.

I couldn't respect myself if my career was running my hands down people's waistbands and up their crotches on a routine basis...