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-   -   Study hard, and avoid becoming a TSO? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1636930-study-hard-avoid-becoming-tso.html)

KDS Dec 13, 2014 8:36 am
Study hard, and avoid becoming a TSO?
 
Came through TSA checkpoint at EWR, terminal B (Delta gates) this morning.

(Side question: why does this checkpoint have a PreCheck lane if it never seems to be open?)

While redressing after the "security screening," I was listening to a conversation between a TSO and a passenger whose bag had been "flagged" for additional screening. The TSO found a Texas Instruments calculator of some type, and commented about how he'd had one when he was in school.

He asked the pax if there were any games on the calculator; the pax did not know. The TSO then went on to talk about his school days -- how, when he was in math class and all the other students were hard at work studying, he was playing games on the calculator. He laughed loudly, thinking that had been a good joke on the other students, apparently.

And now, he's a TSO. Amazing. Wonder what became of the studious students?

seawolf Dec 13, 2014 9:21 am
Study hard, and avoid becoming a TSO?
 
First class passengers.

VelvetJones Dec 13, 2014 9:49 am
Originally Posted by KDS (Post 23990609)
And now, he's a TSO. Amazing. Wonder what became of the studious students?
And this is the one of the root causes of the problems with the TSA. Too many of their front line workers were slackers or out and out losers who enjoy using their tiny bit of granted authority to make life miserable for those who they see as successful.

WindOfFreedom Dec 13, 2014 10:15 am
Bingo. You got it, Velvet. Especially in Albuquerque.

banffcowgirl Dec 13, 2014 10:39 am
Originally Posted by VelvetJones (Post 23990870)
And this is the one of the root causes of the problems with the TSA. Too many of their front line workers were slackers or out and out losers who enjoy using their tiny bit of granted authority to make life miserable for those who they see as successful.
Probably best damn truth I have seen all day! Look at the police force that have been on the news of late. Common guys, just because you have a uniform shouldn't make you out to be a aXX.

dustman81 Dec 13, 2014 10:53 am
Originally Posted by KDS (Post 23990609)
Came through TSA checkpoint at EWR, terminal B (Delta gates) this morning.

(Side question: why does this checkpoint have a PreCheck lane if it never seems to be open?)

While redressing after the "security screening," I was listening to a conversation between a TSO and a passenger whose bag had been "flagged" for additional screening. The TSO found a Texas Instruments calculator of some type, and commented about how he'd had one when he was in school.

He asked the pax if there were any games on the calculator; the pax did not know. The TSO then went on to talk about his school days -- how, when he was in math class and all the other students were hard at work studying, he was playing games on the calculator. He laughed loudly, thinking that had been a good joke on the other students, apparently.

And now, he's a TSO. Amazing. Wonder what became of the studious students?
The studious students are the ones paying the TSO's salary.

MSPeconomist Dec 13, 2014 10:54 am
Was there a security related reason to ask whether there were games on the calculator?

FliesWay2Much Dec 13, 2014 11:28 am
Originally Posted by KDS (Post 23990609)
Came through TSA checkpoint at EWR, terminal B (Delta gates) this morning.

(Side question: why does this checkpoint have a PreCheck lane if it never seems to be open?)

While redressing after the "security screening," I was listening to a conversation between a TSO and a passenger whose bag had been "flagged" for additional screening. The TSO found a Texas Instruments calculator of some type, and commented about how he'd had one when he was in school.

He asked the pax if there were any games on the calculator; the pax did not know. The TSO then went on to talk about his school days -- how, when he was in math class and all the other students were hard at work studying, he was playing games on the calculator. He laughed loudly, thinking that had been a good joke on the other students, apparently.

And now, he's a TSO. Amazing. Wonder what became of the studious students?
I noticed you remarked that he said "when he was in school" and not "when he was in COLLEGE."

I'll bet he volunteered to sit in the Voyeur Booth back in the Cancer Box days. I'll bet he knew how to store and transmit images.

KDS Dec 13, 2014 12:27 pm
Originally Posted by MSPeconomist (Post 23991114)
Was there a security related reason to ask whether there were games on the calculator?
Chuckle....no, there was not.

Which is one of the many reasons why I don't engage in any "small talk" or "chit-chat" with which many TSOs try to engage me while I traverse their unconstitutional "security" zones.

KDS Dec 13, 2014 12:29 pm
Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much (Post 23991270)
I noticed you remarked that he said "when he was in school" and not "when he was in COLLEGE."
Yep, that was his word: "school".

Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much (Post 23991270)
I'll bet he volunteered to sit in the Voyeur Booth back in the Cancer Box days. I'll bet he knew how to store and transmit images.
He was a fairly young man, so he might be too new to have enjoyed the rays of those days. :p

KDS Dec 13, 2014 12:30 pm
Originally Posted by dustman81 (Post 23991110)
The studious students are the ones paying the TSO's salary.
And not willingly, either.


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