Originally Posted by
WillCAD
Not being an America, you probably don't shop in American WalMarts, K-Marts, or other such stores, or eat in our fast food restaurants, but the amount of goofing off and standing around that goes on in such places is very similar to that of the average airport. The behavior, comportment, professionalism, and communications skills, not to mention interpersonal skills, of the average TSO seems to be in line with that of the average minimum-wage person who works at one of those private venues.
Which only reinforces the impression that TSA is a giant jobs program for the uneducated and unskilled amongst us.
Now, there are good TSOs. There are smart, educated, professional TSOs who consientiously attempt to do the job with which they're entrusted - screening passengers for weapons, explosives, and incendiaries. I just wish they were not in the minority.
I may not be American, but I've spent many, many years working all over the US in various economic areas. I don't shop at Walmart (I did go into one a few times) and have been in KMart a few times (what is that smell particular to KMart it seems?!) I do shop at Target, chain office supply stores, etc quite regularly, and while I don't eat at McDonalds and prefer independent places do find myself at Starbucks and other mid-range American chains. Just needed to clarify that!
I do know that while in most of world airport screener is a profession, it isn't in America. But the behaviour is indicative of management, and if management is ok with people standing around, dancing, singing, pounding on the WTMD, making inane comments about passengers, staring into space, etc then it reflects on the management and the agency just as much as on the employees.
I've been to Burger King and similar in poorer states and while perhaps there such behaviour may be tolerated, it shouldn't be tolerated at TSA.
For instance, strikes I do know. Strikes are a great time for management to see how their organisation can be more efficient with fewer resources with the least amount of negative impact on the customer.
A good organisation and a good management team would use this opportunity to review staffing and efficiency and make the required changes.