I always wondered this, but do TSA Agents have to undergo the rigorous scanning and screening when they start their shifts or are they exempt for "practical reasons" like the other airport workers.

I'd like to know how secure the people doing the "security checks" are.

I've seen plenty of TSA agents, at multiple airports, just walk right through the checkpoint or take a back door in without being screened.

As a matter of national security, these "agents" need to be screened when they arrive at the checkpoint to ensure that nothing is smuggled INTO the secure area and thoroughly screened on the way OUT to ensure that nothing has been stolen from the checkpoint or baggage inspection areas. But who would screen the screeners?

Actually, you probably don't want to know the answer to that as it will just make your head hurt.

Allegedly, screeners & all airport workers, are subject to 'random' screening, but in practice it seems little if any screening of either group ever happens, especially the screeners.

This likely has something to do w/the large numbers of screeners found to have sticky fingers...if they were subject to screenings, especially on the exit side, it's likely those numbers would plummet.

I have seen TSO's at numerous airports walk thru the WTMD with their backpack where they alarm but only to be waived thru. Makes me feel real safe....

It will make you feel even more safe when you see how all those beverages and bottles that you are allowed to purchase on the other side of the checkpoint are screened... Some concession employee rolls a big cart full of the stuff up to the check point and one of the blue-shirt's finest does a cursory "looksie" at the cart and then the badged concession guy is waved thru in most cases. Ocassionally, I've seen cases of drinks pass through the screening belt -- but then that raises the question, "If the cases of bottles to be sold on the other side can pass through the sreening machine -- why can't the bottle that I bought on the unsterile side that I've been drinking from pass through the same belt?" Makes no sense, does it?

And the excuse for the alarm, of course, is the shiny tin badge

Frankly everyone should be screened who works at an airport from the TSA agents, aircrew, airline employees 100% screening 100% of the time. Let them suffer just like the flying public has to endure.

I've seen, especially when flying out early, some approach the podium and have another person look at the badge closely. Never have seen somebody walk up with a backpack though. I assume they have lockers or something on the nonsecure side but could be very wrong.

I've seen the avoidance of security by pilots though in a few airports, where thy walk the wrong way into the exit site right into the secure area with a wheelaboard. Very bad idea, ESPECIALLY when combined with non-biometric security. How many people look like me, or any generic pilot, on examination of a photo ID? Answer: a lot.

How quickly we all forget that the 9/11 hijackers were trained PILOTS. Presumably some terrorists or sympathizers could be in the industry. Screeners, ground crews, and pilots should all be subject to security.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the airport.

Are you believing the hijackers were licensed pilots in the employ of US-based airlines? You might want to do some fact checking.

It just seems to me that the whole aspect of "security" is nonsensical if the people doing the screening aren't "secured" themselves.

Again, I know they do background checks on the employees, but as a trusted traveler, I've had background checks done on me. Why shouldn't I enjoy the same privileges as the TSA employee who doesn't get the screening.

Why are we paying good money to constantly be screening the same "trusted" people?

Scan them all or scan none.

I was in China recently and their version of airport security just feels so much better than ours. We go through a metal detector. They use a wand. Pat down on the areas that set things off.

What ever happened to the puffer devices? To me that seemed the best use of technology.

Folks when a TSA or airline employee flys they are not exempt from screening. They get it like everyone else.

But thats not the point. They are manning the security checkpoint. An area that is supposed to be "secure". Whats the point if they aren't screened themselves.

They could easily smuggle in (and out) items that are prohibited.

No, and that's not what I said. Should have been more specific, sorry.

You beat me to it. The point is a look-alike could easily get an ID and fly a plane, walking through security with enough guns to ensure success (or at least make quick work of the captain / FO). Or, TSA screeners could just pass a cache of weapons to a bad guy, undetected because their huge backpack wasn't screened. It is a glaring loophole, while the TSA focuses on grandparent's underpants.

Found to be too unreliable for 'real world' & subject to too many breakdowns due to the dirty environment of an airport checkpoint-clogged up the sensors.

If memory serves, it's one of the many 'failures' listed in the recent Congressional report card on the TSA (there's a thread somewhere that links to the report), along w/the mind-boggling amount of gov't dollars wasted on the machines.