I'm backing the passengers on this one. I work for TSA. Just got my first year in. And I agree completely that this shoe "policy" is BS. At GSO, we suggest removal of shoes, but only so you don't set off the walk through and have to be hand-wanded. We get more compliments than any other airport I have been to. When I flew to FLL last week, I left GSO to ATL then ATL to FLL, FLL wasn't too bad after I shoed my TSA ID, but in ATL I had to get nasty with a supervisor and a screening manager. We constantly ask our employees for suggestions on how to make the process quicker. I even take suggestions from this board. The problem with the incosistancy is that at every airport the FSD (Federal Security Director), can make their own local TSA policy to support their individual needs. This needs to be done away with. It should be the same policies at every airport with no changes allowed. The SSSS system should be done away with. Reason being, it's a system that can easily be bypassed with trial and error. We should train our employees better at recognition of flight risks and instead of training them to look for entire explosive devices, look for individual pieces.

Currently I work in the baggage screening area. I started last august in the checkpoint, then transfered over. Our biggest complaint is that we don't have the big Xray machines for baggage and we have to ETD every bag. Trust me...we do not enjoy any part of it. But we put up with it until we can get those CTX machines in....but I won't hold my breathe. Occasionally we get people that like to push our buttons, and yes we deal with them accordingly. At GSO I am known for my smart @ss attitude and sharp tongue. Not saying that I harass everyone but when people give me a hard time, I return the favor. But I am a fair person too. When I ask "How are you doing", and get the respone "Be better if you weren't here", needless to say, I have fun. But when people are nice to me I am nice back.

I know I got a little off topic but I wanted to try to get it across that not all of us are bad. Yes we have some ignorant people at the top and more ignorant people supporting them.

To Spiff's drop em and spread em quote. I actually sent a letter up the chain about a suggestion and included that. I asked if someone decided to put explosives up their @ss would we be strip searching everyone that didn't remove their clothing? I haven't received a letter back yet. But I'm sure it'll at least give me a chance to speak to some uppers because of my attitude towards our job. My 3 cents. Hope it helps.