Originally Posted by Bart

Team SFO is, for lack of a better term, TSA through a private contractor. In other words, the private screeners at SFO must meet the exact same hiring standards as TSOs; these screeners must receive the exact same training as TSOs; they must qualify and meet the exact same recertification standards as TSOs; and they are supervised by TSA screening managers under the authority of a TSA FSD. In other words, the only difference between these private screeners and TSOs is the uniform. Otherwise, they are government contractors.

Originally Posted by Bart

I wanted to focus on SPOT. I think TSA has out-voodoo'd itself with this program. I think EVERY TSO should be trained in basic behavior detection techniques not so much as staring down passengers and trying to start a conversation with "how 'bout them Spurs?" I think part of the basic package is to be on the lookout for suspicious behavior in general and responding to those suspicions. I think this is a basic trait for law enforcement, security enforcement and should be required for airport security screeners.

In my previous career, body language played a huge part in many operational decisions. Yes, we had the benefit of polygraphy, psychological screening and a host of other tests. But it all boiled down to that gut instinct which isn't so much instinct as it was trained observation (truth be told: I think we all have these capabilities and either are aware of it or are not; training only enhances what we already have).