Schmurrr

USA Today posted an article today about TSA abuses of travelers in Phoenix.

Jezebel picked up the story but used a title that focuses on TSA making an 82-year old remove her breast prostheses.

goalie

Disgusting tho not surprised as the TSO's at PHX imho, are just one small step above those at EWR

chollie

PHX has been a badly managed airport for some time now - baggage thefts that didn't get investigated, constant complaints about TSOs and women, particularly women with breast implants - anything breast-related, actually. Remember Stacy Amato? That included misconduct by a manager. Yukio Miyamae? Just showed that you do not want to call the cops at PHX - if anything, they're like bad TSOs on steroids.

I've personally had very bad experiences at T2. The minute I explain that I'm physically unable to assume and hold the position in the NoS, it's the same thing every time: I get told VERY LOUDLY that I am an OPT OUT and off I go to wait for the roughest gropes I ever get anywhere, consistently.

That said, there's something odd in the reporting. There's mention of an older gentleman getting groin-chopped with a wand. IIRC, all wands were (unfortunately) eliminated (taxpayers are probably paying high-priced storage in some politician's friend's warehouse somewhere -or they were sold for pennies on the dollar). I don't doubt he got groin-chopped, but I'd be surprised if it was with a wand.

gsoltso

I noticed the groin struck with a wand story too. Wands have not been part of the norm for quite a while now. Something about the article (or at least some of the info included in it) is not quite right, almost like they are simply tossing stories against the wall to see what sticks - NOT saying that is necessarily the case, but I haven't even heard of a wand being used for years now.

Boggie Dog

The problem remains that people are being abused by TSA screeners and TSA does nothing about complaints.

TSA is a bigger threat than terrorist to travelers.

Tom M.

The above describes the "techniques" the TSA utilizes....

petaluma1

Actually, the article says:

It could be that the "reporter" got the story mixed up and that the man got chopped after setting off the WTMD.

petaluma1

^^ to both responses

Caradoc

From the comments section on the Jezebel link:

That sounds exactly like the modern TSA we've all come to know and despise.

chollie

You're right, of course. I also noted (more sloppy reporting?) the reference to the metal detector alarming on the woman's breast area. ??? The WTMD doesn't alarm on specific areas (well, it does, but the operator doesn't have any way of knowing which area(s)), the wands aren't in use. The NoS will certainly 'alarm' on a breast, however.

chollie

Not all TSOs, for sure, but far too many of them. I wonder how many of her co-workers have stood by and watched her do this stuff and never said a word? They are equally complicit, even if they like to kid themselves that they are not.

Boggie Dog

Your statement sums up a large part of what is wrong with TSA and its employees. Management never finds fault with employee actions and employees standing beside rouge screeners seem to turn away and do nothing.

If TSA was truly a professional organization we wouldn't keep hearing about screening abuses. I think TSA screeners see themselves more like prison guards. Of course if a screener did some of the things we hear about to a prisoner they would be walked out that day, prisoners have more rights than travelers trying to get through TSA Security Theater.

chollie

I generally expect very little from management, TSA or anywhere else -unless it's directly tied to their personal compensation.

Behind every abusive TSO, there are layers of AWOL or complicit management backing his/her every action.
If an LTSO, STSO or manager says "I wasn't aware", they are either lying or they weren't doing their job properly. Either way, they're directly responsible.

Alongside every abusive TSO, there are many many other TSOs, backing and encouraging his/her actions. If they don't "see something, say something", then they are just as responsible. Don't pull the old "It wasn't me, I just stood by and snickered and said nothing" excuse.

Boggie Dog

TSA employees from Pistole down to the last hired clerk are well paid and have fairly easy tasking. If they're going to take taxpayer monies then I think we should not only expect but demand proper and honest performance of their jobs.

Foul up and go to jail!

WillCAD

I don't think that's the problem.

I think the problem is that TSOs, like almost any profession, have a sense of brotherhood that creates a sense of loyalty which undermines other ethical and moral codes. In other words, TSOs have created their own version of the Blue Wall of Silence. They don't just cover for each other when they see one of Their Own breaking the rules, or the law, or being just plain mean to innocent people, they rationalize and justify the behavior. "This job is SOOOOOOOO hard, that behavior is perfectly understandable (or even acceptable)." They don't even rationalize it with the AFS mentality; they'd rationalize misbehavior if they were bus drivers, simply because they identify with their fellows.

The root cause is simple: those who are tasked with upholding laws or enforcing regulations inevitably begin to believe themselves above the laws or regulations they're tasked with upholding. I suppose it's probably human nature, but like so many parts of human nature, it's unbelievably frustrating when you're on the wrong side of it.