Originally Posted by WillCAD
I wonder if the "this is MY checkpoint" attitude stems from so many TSOs being military veterans? The "my place" thing has always seemed to me to be a military attitude - my post, my gate, my street, my town, my airport, my checkpoint. I've been placed in charge of this place, that makes it mine, and anyone who enters it must submit to my authority over it and them.
I see this type of attitude being part of a much wider problem in America.
Fewer than 20% of TSA members are veterans, so I would put it more in the inflated sense of power type situation somewhat and poor training as the main cause.
Originally Posted by
i0wnj00
I don't think so, it think it's more personal or related to low self-esteem. Some people have an inflated sense of power now that they have uniform, a badge, SIDA badge, and the ability to demand compliance like show me your ID, submit your personal property for inspection, rummaging through personal belongings or taking away knives, large liquids etc.. When you have that type of authority to ask for things that most people can't even do in their everyday lives, it creeps into the mentality that this is "my space and you will do what I want you to do if you want to make it to your flight" or "I can make life really difficult for you". Even though the basis for the above things are done according to the SOP, some people take it too far.
Another thing which comes up, time and time again...the TSA is not a law enforcement agency.
Granted some people power trip...I have seen the parking lot guy at a county fair go nuts when someone did not park in the grass spot he pointed them to and note "you better listen to me" so those attitudes exist. Taking ownership of something, in my experience, is not a negative nor leads to excessive overreach. YMMV of course. Good training, good management, and good leadership should be able to overcome such challenges and TSA does not have it.