Boggie Dog

Perhaps the worst would be the questions from defense lawyers if there was a trial.

These two are still out there and will at some time be back in a job. I would hate for either of these two to have opportunity to abuse the public because TSA seems to have bungled this incident so badly.

Also I think a very hard review is in order for TSA at Denver and even nationwide. Cell phones appear to have been used to among screeners. We don't know if that was while working or exactly what but that needs to be addressed.

Also how TSA supervises the checkpoints ought to be a topic of conversation. My observations are that TSA supervisors seem to be placed in a manner that makes direct supervision difficult at best.

I am convinced that many problems exist with TSA likely starting with the acting Administrator who is known for destroying hard drives.

chollie

The constant TSO use of cellphones at the checkpoint puts my safety at risk. Screeners using their cellphones are not paying attention to the job at hand. As studies of texting drivers have shown, the distraction is real and serious.

Of course, one TSO has posted here that her personal circumstances, her personal need for a cellphone at the checkpoint because of family issues, trumps my need for safety and TSA's requirement that she keep her mind focused on her job and the agency mission.

I hope she never served in the military. The battlefield is also not a place for cellphone distractions.

Boggie Dog

If, as eyecue stated, that screeners are not allowed to use cellphones while working the checkpoint then obviously you must be mistaken about what you are seeing with your very own eyes.

We have been told time and time again that TSA screeners are highly trained professionals so I can't fathom that even one of them would violate a basic rule and use their personal cellphone when it is not permitted.

chollie

eyecue says the rules are not widely enforced (at DEN, anyway) - possibly because otherwise unoccupied STSOs and LTSOs would be bored out of their minds. It's clear from incidents like this that they are not monitoring the actions of their underlings. They also seem to be some of the worst offenders IME - perhaps because their hands aren't otherwise occupied rifling pax bags and bodies.

Perhaps <deleted> will weigh in to say that the rule is enforced at his checkpoint when he's working.

We know that there is no rule at SAT because a TSO from there has said cellphones are allowed (and must be allowed) because TSOs might have important personal business that requires them to have cellphone access at all times. Presumably (hopefully?) this TSO never served in a combat zone.

Given what cellphones were used to discuss at DEN, I have to also wonder about the exact nature of pressing personal communications at SAT.

IMHO, the DEN TSA investigator should be fired for not getting the personal information of the pax who he witnessed being sexually assaulted.

1) He is complicit in the coverup of a crime. He witnessed a crime and did not report it. Would he have similarly looked the other way if the victim had been a child? I suspect the answer is still 'yes'.

2) He did not know the complete nature of what he was investigating. For all he knew, the pax being groped was part of a scam to smuggle contraband past the checkpoint in his crotch. Could have been $$, drugs - or plastic explosive. By making assumptions and failing to conduct a full investigation, this guy put everyone at potential risk. He is not qualified to work in this agency - or any other.

Boggie Dog

At Denver I think any investigation should start with the FSD. Too many things going on at TSA Denver to just be a fluke.

I would support an investigation by an outside LEO agency to cover all of TSA from Washington down to the people hired today.

FliesWay2Much

The female clerk is still up on Twitter, although she hasn't posted anything in several years, and is up on Vine and Pinterest. The male clerk is still up on Photobucket with some interesting pictures that would tend to explain his interest in front-of-the-hand gropings.

KDS

Saw X-ray baggage screener on cell phone this morning at FNT. So apparently my eyes are lying to me, too.

WillCAD

"The web site is out of date."

"That's not how we do it here."

"What you saw was official business."

"You're a liar."

"You're delusional."

"You must be mistaken. Maybe the dedicated transportation security professional you saw was simply scratching his ear."

Boggie Dog

I did ask eyecue if the cellphone rules were local to Denver.

S/He hasn't responded to that query as of yet.

Dieuwer

Only when House members and senators are starting being groped.

chollie

How else is he supposed to notify the baggage handler that a freshly-unlocked bag full of goodies is on its way?

chollie

IIRC, eyecue is a happily married male (with a female ex-federal judge for a boss).

Boggie Dog

Just giving the benefit of doubt.

mikeef

Unfortunately, my somewhat dry sense of humor doesn't always translate to the internet. The incidents of theft at the checkpoint should be zero.

What is an assistant administrator? Does the assistant administrator have a vice-assistant administrator in case something happens to him/her?

I think I've discovered part of the reason that the budget is so high...

Mik

Boggie Dog

Since you asked.....

All of the Program Offices senior position are titled as Assistant Administrators with the exception of Fancine Kerner who is listed as Chief Counsel.

It certainly seems to be an awful lot of senior executive types.

http://www.tsa.gov/about-tsa/leadership