RatherBeOnATrain

I appreciate what you are saying, but the public in the US is very supportive of posting mug shots. Mug shots are used as entertainment and very few people concern themselves with about how posting mugshots might sway the court of public opinion

For example, here is a gallery of mugshots that is posted on the Chicago Tribune's website: Mugs in the news - A collection of Chicago-area arrest photos

Houston.Business

Sorry, you'll have to get used to it. It's a new world in Airport Security. Gropings, Disrespect, Humliation, theft, crime, child porn, and others. How much of this did we see before 9/11?

I've been flying since the late 60's and loved my job, until TSA got involved.

I'm finished with this discussion. Travel Safe.

Houston.Business

[QUOTE=RatherBeOnATrain;18229974]I appreciate what you are saying, but the public in the US is very supportive of posting mug shots. Mug shots are used as entertainment and very few people concern themselves with about how posting mugshots might [QUOTE]


Actually, mug shots are posted all the time before a person goes on trial for the crime. Micheal Jacksons was posted the day he was arrested, as were 100's of celebrities. Newspapers post mugs all the time for the famous, and the average person. This is not unusual.

Why should it be any different for TSA?

Affection

lol the pro-TSA slant of this message board since all the cool people left to the TU board is incredible

Here we have a government employee arrested for a serious felony while wearing her government uniform. The picture was posted because it is important for the public to see that to fully grasp the gravity of the situation. If she is exhonorated, I will remove the photo and post a public correction, but it seems to me that if you're in an apartment with 1,400 packets of heroin, even if you're not directly involved, you at least know you're choosing to associate with not-the-best of people. Her moral character and judgment are relevant to her position as a public servant.

--Jon

jkhuggins

Playing devil's advocate here (again, because I'm not sure what I think ...)

Great ... but hasn't the damage to her reputation already been done at that point? Usually, public correction messages (though important) don't get nearly the publicity of the original, erroneous message.

It's just as bad as, oh, the thousands of examples we have of TSA failing to follow its procedures at a checkpoint, forcing passengers to [cough] voluntarily surrender items, miss their flights, etc.. After the fact, TSA might apologize ... and no-one is placated, because the apology doesn't atone for the original action.

Wouldn't it be better to wait until a jury renders a verdict --- at which point the issue of damage to her reputation would be rendered moot?

I need to see more about this before I'm ready to pass judgment --- in particular, the question of what she knew and when she knew it is critical to the question of her judgment.

Slide101

At the heart of the issue is really that the DHS/TSA has created an Us versus Them mentality. When the TSA screeners are taught to trust no one -- no ones trusts them back. There is a lot of anger in this country about the screeners and the screening procedure. No rules. Lawless. Power plays. So this is the backlash. Just my opinion.

Houston.Business

I'll repeat my statement. Mug shots are published at the time of arrest in most cases.

I'll repeat my Question. What makes a TSA employee special in this case?

jkhuggins

Nothing at all. The information is public, and anyone is free to repost the image of this person, just like any other mugshot.

Whether one can post the image isn't really the question in my eyes. The more interesting question to me is whether one should post the image. What public benefit is gained from posting the image, versus what damage to the individual (and, indirectly, to the rest of us all)?

(And that doesn't have anything to do with the individual's employment status with TSA ... it's a wider question.)

Flaflyer

And the TSA is 10 years and 2 months old. Coincidence? Or not? Just pondering.

Let us not forget the TSO in question had a background check, and spent hours per day standing next to highly trained BDOs who failed to SPOT her.

Wally Bird

Since FT TS&S was the only place the photo was published at least oh, 20 people have now seen it.

What ? It wasn't ?

I must immediately go and post figure-wagging rants to all those other sites.

jkhuggins

Look, I get that it's out there. I'm just wondering what's the added value in piling on.

If it's just about amusement, that's fine. Personally, I don't take delight in the misfortunes of others, no matter their employer or their life choices.

VelvetJones

This is exactly what I was going to say. DHS and the TSA have taken it upon themselves to declare all travelers, heck all US citizens, as potential terrorists that need to be treated as such. I see this as a bit of fair play. Besides, many news sites have mug shots of all people arrested for felonies or DUI, so why is this any different?

jkhuggins

It's certainly no different than those other sites. I'm not sure I like them much, either --- extra-judicial punishment makes me a bit squeemish, in any form. Your mileage may vary, of course.

YCTTSFM

I want to see this screener's photo because she may be released on bail to return to her job.

Until charged and convicted I will presume her innocent. Out of an abundance of caution, will switch lines to avoid giving her any access whatsoever to my belongings.

Caradoc

"See something, say something."

We saw it.