I daresay that that would attract the attention of auditors...

Maybe the $100,000 per "day" figure also include stolen loot, like iPhones and iPads. Don't forget the cut that TSOs would get as being part of a burglary ring by providing information about travelers who will not be at home that evening.

No, it actually isn't ridiculous to join an organization and try to change it from within. That is one of the basic principles of our government. When politicians (or potential politicians) don't like what the current administration is doing they run for office in an attempt to get elected (thus joining the Government) and attempt to change it from within.

You are quite correct speaking/talking is an action. I should have said that I was interested to know why other had not done more than just talk/speak out. However, I thought that it would be clear from the questions that the focus was on actually joining TSA and attempting to change it from within.

I can respect what you say. It is indeed impossible for any one individual to fix everything wrong in the world. It is probably impossible for any single individual to fix everything wrong in a single city or very large institution. And people do choose their battles.

Giving details about what I am doing would not be appropriate to this forum as my issues are focused on Government Contracting and not travel related issues.

With regards to your comment about "bona fide professionals" - Isn't that what many in this forum thinks the TSA needs? People who understand travel and the needs of travelers whether they be business or pleasure travelers? People who are consummate professionals and will accomplish the Agency mission in the "best" way possible OR work to change/redefine/recast the Agency mission into an attainable goal? I know of lots of well off people and professionals that work for many causes in which they believe. Many of them take leaves of absence or sabbaticals to do work that is not of direct interest to their employers. In this way they still have a job to which they can return while still accomplishing something of importance/interest to them.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/churlishI had to look up the word since I didn't know what it meant.

I can agree that it is difficult for people to think outside the box. And Yes, not being able to meet one of the basic job requirements does answer one of the questions I asked.


I can understand your points. I agree not everyone will give up a position they like that is paying them well in order to do accomplish something else. There is nothing wrong with that. I also agree that policy is not being made by the people who normally do the screening. However, IF all of/most of/a significant number of the screeners refused to "violate traveler's constitutional rights" then what would happen? I guess the screeners could be fired but if it were truly because they refused to "violate traveler's constitutional rights" then wouldn't that make a very good court case?

You could still take the job and refuse to do anything that violated the United States Constitution or any law, rule or regulation of the United States. There are only a few instances in which an employee of the United States can be ordered or compelled to do something that would be otherwise illegal.

That's what I'm saying. You are confusing parties with government. It is laudable to try to change a policy you don't like by campaigning against an incumbent in the marketplace of ideas. It is stupid to join the incumbent's cause when you find it loathsome. Would you join the Penn State athletic program to fight pedophilia?

I certainly understand the arugument you have made. However, as I have read what you and others post, you are basically talking about screeners, or TSOs.

What about other positions? Such as an FSD (many higher level AFSD, FSD, heck even some TSMs come from the private sector and have never worked for TSA before). For the most part DAFSDs, AFSDS, FSDs are open to the general public. Sometimes TSMs are, too. And these are positions that can actually make changes at TSA. More so the FSD.

Such as this one, for example (hope this link works ) :

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/300606800

I do not know what your pay is (I am sure it is much more than what an FSD makes) but as you well know, based upon experience pay can be negotiated. And government benefits are hard to beat.

One thing you can not argue is this: FSDs can not make change. They certainly can, often over multiple airports. Sure, Pistole sets policy, but FSDs have a wide range of authority - why, imagine all the rude screeners that could be fired, imagine how accusations of theft would be delt with differently at such airprots with someone like yourself in change. As the FSD you could have some type of "open door" policy with the public who have questions or wish to discuss what happened during screening (as many on FT try to do). You can ensure that comment cards are always made available to passengers. And thats just the start! You could make sure that TSOs treat people with disabilities or medical devices with respect (even if you don't agree with how they are screened), and you can fire TSOs who do not provide a high level of service to such passengers. I could go on...

Note that these are complaints that many here on FT have issues with - and as an FSD these would just be a FEW of the things you could improve.

Now, there has to be some of you out there that will not laugh at pay that starts around $100k to $150k (let me add that with the holiday pay and bonus you can add another 5k to 10k at the lowest level FSD), with government benefits. And there must be some of you out there who would like to change/improve the thing I have list above.

I certainly understand the argument that there is not much an individual screener can do - but a DAFSD, an AFSD, or FSD? They can accomplish a lot. And TSA has hired many such positions from the public sector, no previous TSA experience required.

Just my 2 cents. ^

Closer to a decent starting wage. However, I just don't think I could latch on to the government teet and become a domestic enemy to the U.S. Constitution and sleep well at night. I'll continue in my present work and do what I can to throw sand in the gears of the TSA machine. Over time, the machine will breakdown.

Oh, I already know what the responses will be from the members of this site. I am just wondering what the excuses will be.

And if you think your throwing sand into the "gears of the TSA machine", uh, you are going to need a bigger shovel.

I tried in St. Louis. Ex military, 20 years experience in military and civilian bomb disposal...I couldn't even tell you how many I've found and disarmed. Extensive work with ATF, NTSB and Secret Service. A binder full of explosives and HAZMAT certifications. The list goes on.

Why wasn't I hired ? To quote the contractor rep..."You lack customer service skills". Thats when I knew this wasn't security. It was a jobs program for people who couldn't cut it as a mall cop.

Or people to help him. I volunteer. And it's not so much "sand in the gears" as it is dirt on the coffins.

Wait a minute... You weren't hired to work at TSA because you lacked customer service skills? I thought those were the only types of people hired to work for the organization.

In a similar vein I guess I should join NAMBLA in order to change it from within.

I am kind of curious, what position did you apply for, and when did you apply for it? Who was hired for the job you applied for?

Screener supervisor in 2004. No idea who was hired, it was a job fair environment with about 500 people there. Out of the roughly 30 techs that I know who applied and interviewed, only 3 were hired and only one of them still works for TSA today (he changed over to BAO when that program started)

Because my parents taught me morals that I still live by. Those morals tell me that in order to become a TSA camp guard, I would have to lower myself to being a poor excuse for a human being. I don't want my children to look at me say "My Dad is a TSA guard and he rubs the genitals of the innocent people all day, against their will"

When I see a TSO, I feel two things:

1) Anger at how they treat people.
2) Sorrow that their parents failed in raising them properly.

You don't have to be a thief to stop theft.
You don't have to be a pedophile to stop child abuse.
You don't have to be a killer to stop murder.
You don't have to be a TSA guard to stop TSA abuses.