Do TSA Agents Undergo Screening When They Show For Work?
Dec 19, 2011 | 7:49 pm
#46
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney (for now), GVA (only in my memories)
Programs: QF Lifetime Silver (big whoop)
Posts: 9,322
Thanks for reminding us-we have at least one TSA screener, Ms. Wanda Weems, who did exactly that...came to EWR where she worked in her uniform, changed to civvies in the ladies room & then boarded her flight. She was only caught because someone saw her getting changed & reported her to the PAPD, as I recall, who then boarded the flight & pulled her, & her unscreened bag, off.
If one has done it, no doubt there are/were others who have done it & gotten away with it.
Therefore, anyone & everyone going to the 'sterile' side must be screened prior to entry regardless of reason. Anything less is nothing but security theater aka the TSA
If one has done it, no doubt there are/were others who have done it & gotten away with it.
Therefore, anyone & everyone going to the 'sterile' side must be screened prior to entry regardless of reason. Anything less is nothing but security theater aka the TSA
To call it a "sterile" area and then differentiate on the basis of flying or "working" is ridiculous. Imagine a "sterile" operating theater where people had to wear masks and scrub their hands if they're observing the surgery but not if they're "working." Germs are germs, regardless of whether someone is working or not. People are people and can take Bad Things into the "sterile" area, regardless of whether they're working or not.
Dec 19, 2011 | 8:20 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Up in the air far too often.
Programs: Star Gold
Posts: 354
+1
To call it a "sterile" area and then differentiate on the basis of flying or "working" is ridiculous. Imagine a "sterile" operating theater where people had to wear masks and scrub their hands if they're observing the surgery but not if they're "working." Germs are germs, regardless of whether someone is working or not. People are people and can take Bad Things into the "sterile" area, regardless of whether they're working or not.
To call it a "sterile" area and then differentiate on the basis of flying or "working" is ridiculous. Imagine a "sterile" operating theater where people had to wear masks and scrub their hands if they're observing the surgery but not if they're "working." Germs are germs, regardless of whether someone is working or not. People are people and can take Bad Things into the "sterile" area, regardless of whether they're working or not.
What's worse, is that a TSA agent could be "conditioned" to accept the bribe, with the person saying it is weed or something like that (and it is, the first few times.) TSA agent figures it is an easy way to make $1000.
Then one day it is PETN.
Screeners should be screened. Pilots should be screened (sorry, guys). Frequent flyers should be screened. But, the screening should be reasonable.
It doesn't have to be a cavity search, but it should take place and is a relatively easy, common-sense way to close a huge security hole.
Dec 19, 2011 | 8:26 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 642
Exactly. To continue the analogy, the workers are likely much more "germ-y" than the average passenger, despite their initial "rigorous screening." They are allowed to bring in satchels full of manure, while everybody else is limited in their quantity of carp (yes, intentional, filter in place) that enters the OR.
What's worse, is that a TSA agent could be "conditioned" to accept the bribe, with the person saying it is weed or something like that (and it is, the first few times.) TSA agent figures it is an easy way to make $1000.
Then one day it is PETN.
Screeners should be screened. Pilots should be screened (sorry, guys). Frequent flyers should be screened. But, the screening should be reasonable.
It doesn't have to be a cavity search, but it should take place and is a relatively easy, common-sense way to close a huge security hole.
What's worse, is that a TSA agent could be "conditioned" to accept the bribe, with the person saying it is weed or something like that (and it is, the first few times.) TSA agent figures it is an easy way to make $1000.
Then one day it is PETN.
Screeners should be screened. Pilots should be screened (sorry, guys). Frequent flyers should be screened. But, the screening should be reasonable.
It doesn't have to be a cavity search, but it should take place and is a relatively easy, common-sense way to close a huge security hole.
Dec 19, 2011 | 8:56 pm
#49
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
Thanks for reminding us-we have at least one TSA screener, Ms. Wanda Weems, who did exactly that...came to EWR where she worked in her uniform, changed to civvies in the ladies room & then boarded her flight. She was only caught because someone saw her getting changed & reported her to the PAPD, as I recall, who then boarded the flight & pulled her, & her unscreened bag, off.
If one has done it, no doubt there are/were others who have done it & gotten away with it.
Therefore, anyone & everyone going to the 'sterile' side must be screened prior to entry regardless of reason. Anything less is nothing but security theater aka the TSA
If one has done it, no doubt there are/were others who have done it & gotten away with it.
Therefore, anyone & everyone going to the 'sterile' side must be screened prior to entry regardless of reason. Anything less is nothing but security theater aka the TSA
To call it a "sterile" area and then differentiate on the basis of flying or "working" is ridiculous. Imagine a "sterile" operating theater where people had to wear masks and scrub their hands if they're observing the surgery but not if they're "working." Germs are germs, regardless of whether someone is working or not. People are people and can take Bad Things into the "sterile" area, regardless of whether they're working or not.
Dec 19, 2011 | 9:34 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney (for now), GVA (only in my memories)
Programs: QF Lifetime Silver (big whoop)
Posts: 9,322
What's worse, is that a TSA agent could be "conditioned" to accept the bribe, with the person saying it is weed or something like that (and it is, the first few times.) TSA agent figures it is an easy way to make $1000.
Then one day it is PETN.
Screeners should be screened. Pilots should be screened (sorry, guys). Frequent flyers should be screened. But, the screening should be reasonable.
It doesn't have to be a cavity search, but it should take place and is a relatively easy, common-sense way to close a huge security hole.
Then one day it is PETN.
Screeners should be screened. Pilots should be screened (sorry, guys). Frequent flyers should be screened. But, the screening should be reasonable.
It doesn't have to be a cavity search, but it should take place and is a relatively easy, common-sense way to close a huge security hole.
That's why I put " 'sterile' " in quotes every time.