Should TSA agents be armed?
Nov 7, 2013 | 1:53 pm
#181
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We were armed LEOs.....and were able to deal with the BS that they (Screeners) caused.... 
About the only time we did anything is when the Screeners pissed someone off and there needed to be some adults supervision to calm things down.....
Hence the cry, "L-E-O, L-E-O!!" when there were issues.....
About the only time we did anything is when the Screeners pissed someone off and there needed to be some adults supervision to calm things down.....
Hence the cry, "L-E-O, L-E-O!!" when there were issues.....
Nov 7, 2013 | 1:57 pm
#182
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Yes.... and when we were around, the TSO's (for the most part) didn't act like fools and try to pizz folks off.....and no one seemed to mouth back when they were getting mad at their antics..
Nov 7, 2013 | 1:58 pm
#184
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Nov 7, 2013 | 4:03 pm
#185
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I know at some airports, LE takes direction from TSA, but it sounds like you were one of the lucky ones.
Unprofessional TSOs might take their chances with a pax, but they're hardly going to want to go up against the word of a professional LE who doesn't take direction from them.
Nov 7, 2013 | 9:53 pm
#187
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We were armed LEOs.....and were able to deal with the BS that they (Screeners) caused....
About the only time we did anything is when the Screeners pissed someone off and there needed to be some adults supervision to calm things down.....
Hence the cry, "L-E-O, L-E-O!!" when there were issues.....
About the only time we did anything is when the Screeners pissed someone off and there needed to be some adults supervision to calm things down.....
Hence the cry, "L-E-O, L-E-O!!" when there were issues.....
Nov 7, 2013 | 11:10 pm
#188
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Nov 7, 2013 | 11:13 pm
#189
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MCI is contracted....only Screening Managers and above are actual TSA there.
When I worked there, we were in charge.....TSA did their own thing. I've heard thru friends that work there, TSA has tried to take charge of some things but LE management won't let them.... which is a good thing...
Me personally..... I think it was a good thing to have LEOs @ the checkpoints.... helps keep the shenanigans down on both sides. At least in my experience.
Nov 8, 2013 | 5:53 am
#191
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And, personally, I think it'd be an even better thing if LEOs at the checkpoints weren't a requirement to keep the TSA from screwing around...
Nov 8, 2013 | 4:59 pm
#192
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portland, OR
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Their union is calling for arming a "new class of TSOs" to be placed in a "protective installation on raised platforms" at the checkpoints.
I'm visualizing a armored compartment with machine gun ports.
November 8, 2013
Dear TSA Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sorrow that we write to you at a time when all of us have just lost a brother and colleague, Officer Gerardo Hernndez. He died doing what he and thousands of TSOs like you have sworn to do keep the flying public safe. We all must honor his sacrifice and dedication to the mission and to his fellow TSA officers. On behalf of AFGEs entire membership and the AFGE TSA Council 100, our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends who were closest to Officer Hernndez.
Officer Hernndez was the first TSO to die in the line of duty in the agencys 12-year history. This tragic landmark serves as a reminder to all of us of the dangers we face each and every day we come to work. Fellow officers James Speer and Tony Grigsby also paid an extraordinary price when they were wounded in the attack, and we stand with them and their families as well.
On November 4th, members of AFGE Council 100s executive board joined hundreds of TSOs, friends, family, and members of the flying public at a vigil at Dockweiler State Beach beneath the LAX flight path to remember Officer Hernandez. We plan on attending other memorial services to honor our brother and fine officer.
But if we are to truly honor Officer Hernandez sacrifice, and the sacrifices of all who were affected by this tragedy, it will take more than the prosecution of a deranged gunman. It will take positive action by TSOs, AFGE, and the Agency to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.
You know as well as we do that airport security today is less than perfect. A patchwork of inconsistent procedures, standards, and deployment of local law enforcement makes it hard to measure just how secure our screening areas truly are. The results of these inconsistencies are clear: thousands of TSOs are verbally assaulted and many others are physically attacked each year. In the face of such attacks, TSOs are left powerless to respond.
If we are to bring an end to the violence against TSOs, we need to develop a more effective deterrent to potential wrongdoers. We believe the best way to defuse a crisis is to make sure it doesnt happen in the first place, and to respond as quickly as possible when it does.
AFGE believes that the development of a new class of armed TSA officers with law enforcement status is a critical step toward deterring crimes against TSOs and the flying public. These officers would be trained specifically in identifying, engaging, and neutralizing threats in screening and other areas determined appropriate by the Agency. We believe the Agency has the legal authority to create such a class of officers, and we are actively encouraging TSAs top management to explore the possibility.
Other proposals AFGE will advocate include protective installations on raised platforms at the checkpoint to protect TSA law enforcement officers; restoring TSO coverage of exit lanes, and an expansion of the BDO program to increase both its reach and it's effectiveness.
As we develop new proposals with the Agency, never forget that your safety is our number one priority. We ask that you support your union brothers and sisters in making our nations airports safer for you and the flying public. And, again, we extend our sincere sympathy to everyone affected by the tragedy at LAX.
In Solidarity,
J. David Cox, Sr.
National President, AFGE
Hydrick Thomas
President, AFGE TSA Council 100
I'm visualizing a armored compartment with machine gun ports.
November 8, 2013
Dear TSA Brothers and Sisters,
It is with great sorrow that we write to you at a time when all of us have just lost a brother and colleague, Officer Gerardo Hernndez. He died doing what he and thousands of TSOs like you have sworn to do keep the flying public safe. We all must honor his sacrifice and dedication to the mission and to his fellow TSA officers. On behalf of AFGEs entire membership and the AFGE TSA Council 100, our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends who were closest to Officer Hernndez.
Officer Hernndez was the first TSO to die in the line of duty in the agencys 12-year history. This tragic landmark serves as a reminder to all of us of the dangers we face each and every day we come to work. Fellow officers James Speer and Tony Grigsby also paid an extraordinary price when they were wounded in the attack, and we stand with them and their families as well.
On November 4th, members of AFGE Council 100s executive board joined hundreds of TSOs, friends, family, and members of the flying public at a vigil at Dockweiler State Beach beneath the LAX flight path to remember Officer Hernandez. We plan on attending other memorial services to honor our brother and fine officer.
But if we are to truly honor Officer Hernandez sacrifice, and the sacrifices of all who were affected by this tragedy, it will take more than the prosecution of a deranged gunman. It will take positive action by TSOs, AFGE, and the Agency to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.
You know as well as we do that airport security today is less than perfect. A patchwork of inconsistent procedures, standards, and deployment of local law enforcement makes it hard to measure just how secure our screening areas truly are. The results of these inconsistencies are clear: thousands of TSOs are verbally assaulted and many others are physically attacked each year. In the face of such attacks, TSOs are left powerless to respond.
If we are to bring an end to the violence against TSOs, we need to develop a more effective deterrent to potential wrongdoers. We believe the best way to defuse a crisis is to make sure it doesnt happen in the first place, and to respond as quickly as possible when it does.
AFGE believes that the development of a new class of armed TSA officers with law enforcement status is a critical step toward deterring crimes against TSOs and the flying public. These officers would be trained specifically in identifying, engaging, and neutralizing threats in screening and other areas determined appropriate by the Agency. We believe the Agency has the legal authority to create such a class of officers, and we are actively encouraging TSAs top management to explore the possibility.
Other proposals AFGE will advocate include protective installations on raised platforms at the checkpoint to protect TSA law enforcement officers; restoring TSO coverage of exit lanes, and an expansion of the BDO program to increase both its reach and it's effectiveness.
As we develop new proposals with the Agency, never forget that your safety is our number one priority. We ask that you support your union brothers and sisters in making our nations airports safer for you and the flying public. And, again, we extend our sincere sympathy to everyone affected by the tragedy at LAX.
In Solidarity,
J. David Cox, Sr.
National President, AFGE
Hydrick Thomas
President, AFGE TSA Council 100
Nov 8, 2013 | 5:23 pm
#193
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"1984" was a dystopian novel, not a management plan.
Please do not approach the media again until a high school English teacher can verify that you understand the difference.
RadioGirl
Nov 8, 2013 | 6:03 pm
#194
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Nov 8, 2013 | 6:22 pm
#195
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
Let no crisis go un-taken-advantage-of.
How incredibly stupid. We already have real LEOs in the area. We don't need TSA imposing their definition of legality (insert jokes about the legality of taking pictures here), based on secret rules. Pretending to be LEOs is bad enough. Actually becoming LEOs only serves the purpose of using more force to gain 'respect' from all of us criminal travelers.
Thousands of gate agents are verbally assaulted and many others are physically attacked each year. In the face of such attacks, gate agents are left powerless to respond. If we are to bring an end to the violence against gate agents, we need to develop a more effective deterrent to potential wrongdoers. Clearly we need a special LEO-class of gate agents.
I noticed there is no mention of protecting contract security clerks. Except for them not pissing off passengers nearly as much, they are in the exact same position. Are we going to have a special class of contract-screener-LEOs? Of course not, they will rely on the existing LEOs to do the job of... ... wait for it ... an LEO.
If the union was really concerned about their member's health and lives, they could:
But no...
The ONLY thing they seem to want is expansion, expansion, expansion, MORE PEOPLE and MORE POWER.
I wonder why that is?
How incredibly stupid. We already have real LEOs in the area. We don't need TSA imposing their definition of legality (insert jokes about the legality of taking pictures here), based on secret rules. Pretending to be LEOs is bad enough. Actually becoming LEOs only serves the purpose of using more force to gain 'respect' from all of us criminal travelers.
Thousands of gate agents are verbally assaulted and many others are physically attacked each year. In the face of such attacks, gate agents are left powerless to respond. If we are to bring an end to the violence against gate agents, we need to develop a more effective deterrent to potential wrongdoers. Clearly we need a special LEO-class of gate agents.
I noticed there is no mention of protecting contract security clerks. Except for them not pissing off passengers nearly as much, they are in the exact same position. Are we going to have a special class of contract-screener-LEOs? Of course not, they will rely on the existing LEOs to do the job of... ... wait for it ... an LEO.
If the union was really concerned about their member's health and lives, they could:
- Implement a diet and physical fitness program
- Try to eliminate the behaviors that make people angry and confrontational.
- Have cared about TSOs working near radiation emitting devices
The ONLY thing they seem to want is expansion, expansion, expansion, MORE PEOPLE and MORE POWER.
Other proposals AFGE will advocate include protective installations on raised platforms at the checkpoint to protect TSA law enforcement officers; restoring TSO coverage of exit lanes, and an expansion of the BDO program to increase both its reach and it's effectiveness.