Originally Posted by TSAman
I've seen and heard way to many TSA misconceptions on here and on the news and from people word of mouth. I'm a TSA/DHS employee. I'm here to educate and clear up the misconceptions people have.
Let me just say that your starting off on the wrong foot here. Even though I'm sure it's not your intention, you're coming off as a bit condescending. We are not in need of "education". If you'd been around for more than a day, you should know that all of these issues have been thoroughly hashed out, add infinitum. But let me offer some specifics.
Originally Posted by TSAman
1. TSA does not do gate screening. When a person is seen handwanded, patted down and there property search at the gate, it is because they are missed selectees. That is the only time a person will be searched at the gate.
Yes, been discussed. Read the "Return of TSA Gate Screening?" thread.
Originally Posted by TSAman
2. Prior to walking through the metal detecter a person does not have to take off there shows. It is a option to save time. Most dress shoes, womans sandals and boots have metal shanks inside of them that aren't visible and will set off the metal detecter. Now once you do walk through and set off the metal detecter because of the shoes, it is not an option you have to take off your shoes and they must go through the x-ray.
Really?? Go through the check point at DEN, and then tell me removing shoes is optional. Go ahead, I'll wait.
Originally Posted by TSAman
3. Shoes that have a heal of 1inch or higher are considered profiled footwear and must go through an x-ray either before or after the metal detecter, but after the person must go to secondary screening which means handwand, pat down of torso.
Once again, this subject has been done to DEATH here. One of the biggest complaints about the TSA here is the inconsistency. You making a statement that is demonstrably FALSE in MANY airports, just serves to underscore the apparent randomness of the TSA's procedures.
Originally Posted by TSAman
4. When a person enters through the checkpoint they have consented to search by all means and have to go by TSA's rules and regulations or they will not fly.
You may think that's what it means, and the law may say that, but ask most people if they think they're FORFEITING their constitutional rights when they walk into an airport, and I'll bet you get a different answer.
Originally Posted by TSAman
6. Airport GSC's either doesn't exist anymore or have no say so in anything involving airport security what so ever. Accept something along the lines of a smelly passenger or a drunk passenger things of that manner.
I'll bet we could find some GSC's that might take issue with that statement. But that's just a guess on my part.
Originally Posted by TSAman
7. TSA recommends all bags be left unlocked at all times. Yes you can lock your bag with any lock, but it will be cut off if we have to go inside your bag. It just saves your locks and our time not to have locks on there. TSA locks do help out alot.
Why do the TSA locks get cut off if they're such a big help? And why have I herd MANY times at check in that NO LOCKS are allowed on bags? Period?
Originally Posted by TSAman
8. Now in checked baggage when a test of explosives is conducted tsa has a list of certain bags that must be done. We have to do a certain % of bag checks including outside of bag only, inside seams of bag and a full bag search(means your bag will basically be dumped). So when tsa only tests the outside of your bag there not being lazy, its what our list says for us to do. I can't tell you what % of what we do because that is a need to know basis only and is classified as Sensitive Security Information
"Sensitive Security Information". Capitalized no less. Wow. Sounds like you're trying to impress us.
Didn't work.
Originally Posted by TSAman
9. Alot of people complain that we search elderly and children and they are harmless and its a waste for us to do. We have to do this or else its age discrimination. For example older men with prostetic legs have been found to conceal weapons trying to enter he checkpoint, this has happened on many cases in the last 3 years. One example a 6 year old child had a 7 inch hunting knife jammed down the back of his pants by his father prior to entering the checkpoint.
We complain because it's useless to search non Arabic old people and children, and you know it. Let's take a quiz. How many terrorist attacks have been committed by old people and children. Let me think. Oh. NONE. Big surprise. We should be looking for TERRORISTS, not weapons. I won't go into a rant on the stupidity of thinking that someone can hijack an airplane with a knife, you can read my post on the "Amazing TSA at DEN - not a joke" thread.
Originally Posted by TSAman
10. Some say TSA isn't any better than private security prior to 9/11. When most items are found in the checkpoint from guns to other prohibited items, TSA does not notify the media or any way reports the find to the public. When something like that occurs in the media its because a employee slips it out to the public. I work in a airport of a city with a population of 150,000. I've been there with TSA for 3 years. We have found 3 loaded pistols inside the x-ray at the checkpoint. Now since there are 481 commercial airports you guys do the math.
I'm not impressed. I've got news for you. Possession of a weapon does not mean your a terrorist. I know that's hard for some of the more throughly indoctrinated to get your mind around. I carried a weapon nearly everywhere I went in Oregon. I had a permit to. Does that mean I intended to kill and terrorize?
Just because you found a weapon does NOT mean that a threat was averted. I really don't expect a TSA employee to get that, but it's a fact.
How many terrorists were found? Can't answer? Or is that "Sensitive Security Information" (Capitalized) also?
Originally Posted by TSAman
Some people might not agree with our rules/regulations and authority. But these are the facts. Airport police doesn't work for us and we don't work for them. But we are allies so if we say a passenger is out of hand or hasn't followed our rules and we think they shouldn't fly. The airport police or airline will not let you fly.
Demonstrably NOT always the case. Try again.
Originally Posted by TSAman
Any questions I would be happy to answer. I don't make the rules I just enforce them, if you have a problem with certain rules or regulations you need to contact your local DHS representative/ congressman, senate, etc.
Ah yes. The old "I don't make the rules..." line. That line has been use by every stooge of every bureaucracy that ever enforce idiotic and downright evil laws throughout history. Doesn't the TSA manual give you better lines than that when dealing with the subjects? Well, whatever helps you sleep a night...
Originally Posted by TSAman
Thanks
Josh
You're welcome.
Hang around and read a bit more before you try to "educate" us ignorant Frequent Flyers any further.