How many TSO's do you think have written their congressmen/senators urging them to get rid of the NoS/Grope? Do you think any on this board have?

I think it is more likely they have written to get rid of the opt out.

If they don't like it, they can quit & look for a respectable job, in that order. I have no sympathy for the vermin that grope my wife.

Nuremberg.

I dunno guys. I think that this might be a bit harsh. While there are far too many TSOs who are going along with the new instructions, we as passengers should assume that every single TSO is a un-american totalitarian-supporting sheeple. People have situations in life that cause them to go along with the flow because they have no choice. The economy right now isn't the best time to leave your job, even if you have moral qualms with what you are doing. When your house, car, and children's education is relying on a job, its amazing how much of a blind eye you can turn. I've had absolutely awful power-hungry TSOs, but I occasionally get a professional, polite TSO and then I feel bad for stereotyping.

I do remember reading Pistole's proclamation: "Submit or don't fly." My, what consummate tact, what adroit diplomacy from the head of a government agency whose mission it is to serve the people.

And as for the TSOs, the ones I've encountered (except at ACV--tip of the hat to you good folks) have had a belligerent, adversarial attitude, if not a power-crazed stance of "put it to the rich ......"

If the shoe is pinching, I suggest THEY take it off and put it through the x-ray machine.

I started to compose a long, erudite and well-argued (I thought) response. But then...

Nah, think I'll just stick with GOOD.

I really do try to be polite to people, and that includes TSOs. I'm sure many of them don't like this job, and let's be charitable, maybe some of them are starting on the mental work of morality, and considering whether they really can go on. I also completely agree with the Nuremberg assessment - sooner or later, there is moral culpability involved.

Nonetheless, for TSOs who feel harassed and abused, I have this suggestion. Be polite and respectful to us, and we'll be polite and respectful back. As I think Chollie (??) suggested elsewhere, even just saying, "I know this isn't fun, and I don't like it any more than you. I'm sorry that it has to be done, but I'll try to make it quick, ok?" would go a long ways. I have doctors that do procedures on me that make me suck in my breath, or even cry out a little in pain or discomfort, and they all respond with, "I know, I'm sorry." I think we'd all get along better if passengers were allowed to ask questions without being interrupted, if we were able to request to stay in view of our belongings or for the TSO to put on clean gloves without being met with rudeness, if we were allowed to opt-out without being mocked. What it comes down to, discussions of Nuremberg aside, is that if TSOs could be reliably counted on to act like professionals (which includes consistency across various airports), I think they would find passengers much more pleasant and compliant.

In other words, if you want to claim that TSOs are professionals, they need to actually act like professionals. This is going to involve training, extensive supervision, and "sure and certain punishment" up to and including termination for agents who mistreat passengers. The average encounter with the average TSO is not (I don't believe) anything approaching what would be termed "professional" in any other field. Fix that, supervisors (clear on up to Sec. Napolitano), and you will fix a lot of the morale issues among your employees.

And look - I worked at Starbucks for 3 years and heard plenty of rude comments directed at me, my coworkers, and my company, and that's without my ever having touched anybody's crotch. Just sayin'.

Well, no.

It is a government sanctioned invasion of privacy and an assault. I'm sympathetic to the position the screeners are in, but they chose that position and only deserve the respect that accrues to the position.

In the military you salute the rank, not the man.

I'll not give a screener a pat on the head just because they are polite. They are not just assaulting me, they are threatening our way of life. That goes way beyond live-and-let-live.

That said, I've had screeners who have told me that their job is distasteful and they are looking for a way out. I'll cut them some slack.

Again, Nuremberg.

I wish there was a violin icon on here.

No sympathy. NONE.

The same folks who told us "do you want to fly today" are now complaining because we're angry at them for abusing us?

You're not even worthy of the crud I scrape off the bottom of my boots. And I'll say it to your face too.

I have to tolerate the TSA screeners on a regular basis just to go to work. I am told that if I do not like it, I do not have right to go to work that way and find another way to get to work.

Hey screeners, if you do not like it, find another job. You do not have a right to work at the TSA, it is a privilege. It is exactly what I am told to do. You are no better than I am.

Yeah I don't know what kind of person voluntarily chooses to work for the TSA as a screener and then gets the nerve to complain against public backlash? Some twisted mess of "I want to feel patriotic" along with a dash of "I like having power over the masses"? It can't be for the money (the Walmart down the road's always hiring) or benefits (it's not military or real LE)...

The stereotyping of TSOs pales in comparison to the blanket allegation by the TSA that all U.S. citizens traveling on a plane are potential terrorists.

Great observation. As long as they treat me like a terrorist, they should not be surprised if the passengers treat them all like molesters.