Date: July 1, 2010

To: All TSA Employees

From: John S. Pistole

Administrator

Subject: 100 – Message from the Administrator: Our Work Together

I am honored that President Barack Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano chose me to lead TSA and I look forward to earning your confidence as we work together to achieve TSA’s counterterrorism mission.

National security and counterterrorism are familiar territory for me, and my 26-year career with the FBI has provided me with the skills and experience necessary to lead TSA in keeping the nation’s transportation systems secure.

I have learned throughout my career that the best way to successfully defeat those who seek to do us harm is through the hard work, commitment and dedication of a devoted workforce. Whether it is through gathering intelligence, screening passengers or supporting the agency’s overall efforts, it is your eyes, ears and minds that allows us to prevail. It is your effort, your will, and your dedication to the American people and each other that is our greatest asset.

Success in achieving TSA’s mission depends on all of us. In support of TSA’s workforce, I will dedicate myself to ensuring the highest standards of professionalism at all levels of the agency. This support must include an open dialogue. And in the coming weeks I plan to hold a series of live video conferences and face-to-face conversations with you as I travel to sites around the country.

To meet the transportation security challenges faced by our nation, we will continue to enhance TSA’s counterterrorism efforts domestically and internationally.

We know there will be a time when we will be severely tested. And when that occurs, we will react swiftly, respond appropriately, and show our resilience.

So as we push TSA’s mission forward, we will continue to work with the American people and each other to keep the traveling public safe.

I’d like to recognize Gale Rossides and the Senior Leadership Team for their efforts and support. And I’d like to thank each of you for all that you have done – and all that you will do – to secure our nation’s transportation systems.

I look forward to leading TSA and to working with all of you.

/s/ John S. Pistole

Congratulations on your new position. I hope the open dialog you spoke of in your introduction letter to TSA employees will also include and open dialog with the public.

If you take time to read the TSA blog ( http://blog.tsa.gov/ ), Flyer Talk ( http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-security-222/ ) or any reader comments on any TSA story you will see there is a great concern about the manner the TSA operates.

The concerns range from the inability of the Chief Counsel, Francine Kerner, to show the TSA's authority to force ID verification at the checkpoint in order to board a flight, the use of Whole Body Imagers (MMW and X-Ray) when they are easily defeated (if in doubt ask me how), the use of the more dangerous x-ray Whole Body Imagers when they provide no advantage to MMW Whole Body Imagers, the glacial response to Freedom of Information Act requests, the rampant employee theft issues and the employee abuse issues.

The above barely scratches the surface on what needs to be fixed at the TSA. You have a tough row to hoe but it must be hoed in order to get rid of the weeds that infest the TSA.

If you are wise you will allow the public the input you need to make the TSA an effective agency. One way you can do this is to make yourself available to Blogger Bob at the TSA blog. His contact info is below.

Curtis “Bob” Burns,
TSA Office of Public Affairs

Social Media Analyst

xxx-xxx-xxxx (O) xxx-xxx-xxxx (BB)


Sincerely

Michael Cummings A.K.A Trollkiller

National security and counterterrorism are familiar territory for me, and my 26-year career with the FBI...

We know there will be a time when we will be severely tested. And when that occurs, we will react swiftly, respond appropriately, and show our resilience.

Thanks Mike, appreciate your insights and advice.
John