BWI screeners get decision-making and intelligence analysis training
 

It was offered through a community college... Now that's funny, considering that TSA doesn't even require a high school diploma for employment.

I guess we've now got 16 people running around the MD/DC/VA area screaming "Look ma! I've done graduated! I'm a big boy now!" at the top of their lungs.

The ironic side to all of this: now that these folks supposedly know how to make good decisions, they will likely consider leaving TSA for a life of productive work in a field where they can actually do some good... If they actually learned anything from that class...

I wonder if they will actually be able to do something good, or if they will forget everything they learned... More money down the drain.:td:

Time for a pop quiz!!

Poking through the AACC site, it looks like this may be the course:

HLS-211
Intell Analysis & Sec Mgmt
3 credit hours
0.0 ceu hours

Examines intelligence analysis and its indispensable relationship to the security management of terrorist attacks and other threats. Explores vulnerabilities of our national defense and private sectors, as well as the threats posed to these institutions by terrorists, man-made disasters, and natural disasters. Students will discuss substantive issues regarding intelligence support of Homeland Security measures implemented by the United States and explore how the intelligence community operates. Lab fee $20.

Intelligence and TSA are mutually exclusive, let alone throwing analysis into that mix.

It takes a lot more than a few classes to learn analysis skills, especially in intel. It takes at least 2 years full time for an intel analyst to be fully trained.

Wonder if TSA was focuses on as a vulnerability to national defense.

I find it ironic that TSA would honor people who completed a college course. :rolleyes:

I live in AA County and AACC generally has a good rep. Didn't think they'd want to sully it by associating with TSA.

I'm thinking maybe they should just get screening down first!

This will make the BWI folks even bigger ***es than they already are because "now we got trained and you don't".

All the more reason to avoid BWI.

Prerequisites
 

Does this course require a prerequisite from Hamburger University?;)

Makes me wonder how they coped before they got trained in critical thinking and decision-making skills.... :rolleyes:

Next up: A TSO's Guide to Real Careers:D

I can't imagine how offended I would be if my employer felt I needed critical thinking and decision-making training.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.5.0.138 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I'm sure the class slots were highly competitive.

Besides, I'll bet they all wore their dress uniforms at the graduation ceremony.

Did I just read a sentence with both "BWI screeners" and "intelligence" in it? Must be a mistake...

Sadly, probably none are intelligent enough to be offended.

Good. Maybe now they can use those skills to determine that toothpaste isn't a bomb, and that since 100 percent of the shoes they've screened having nothing in them - that the odds of explosives being smuggled in shoes are minimal.

They joined up with TSA.

Actually, this is happening all around the country. Many airports are participating. Some at SAT have taken the courses, as well. And you take thee course with other students not associated with TSA.

As I understand it, TSA is testing this out, and they may eventually expand it into a undergrad degree. Right now, as I understand, TSA pays for the classes. Nit sure who will pay if it goes to a full degree program.

Wow I dont know if i should laugh, cry or just palm smack my head.

Im sorry if TSA employees are having to take a class on critical thinkning skills and decision making then the cause is already lost. Of course that brings into question the intelligence level and education backgrounds amongst a long list of things.

oh god a TSA degree , that makes a liberal arts degree sound good for once.

If TSA decides to expand it inti a 4 year degree it will be a liberal arts degree. ;)

So how do those TSA employees without a HS diploma participate?

They can not. But that is only a very few TSOs.

Does TSA have a "Get your GED Now!" program?


Are they concentrated at BWI?


~~ Irish

As far as I know TSA does not have a GED program. But I could be wrong.

Hmmm I don't know. I haven't had any problems travelling through BWI.

How many times do you fly in an average year and do the screeners know your one of them?

I do not nearly fly as much as most here; but about a times year - once a month. And no one knows I'm with TSA except when I fly out of SAT.

What, don't you guys have gang sings to avoid harassment from your colleagues? :p

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...j83g63w0fb.jpg

Well, at least the degree would be as useless as the agency. :D

No, the SPOTniks can determine that the screener in question is a "brother" or "sister." :rolleyes:

Nice picture of your kids!!

Yeah, communication degrees usually are useless.

Not mine. No wife, no kids, life is good! :D

When flying out of airports where you are not known to the screeners do you encounter screenings that are not by the book?

I feel sorry for the other students in the class. If I had to sit through something with a bunch of TSA folks, I'd probably drop the course with the assumption that it was being taught around a third grade level.

If this becomes a full degree program, the Basketweaving majors will be glad-- there will finally be a degree that's more worthless out there.

I'm very disappointed to learn that TSOs are attending these courses at taxpayer expense. They should go learn critical life skills on their own time and own dime.

No, despite the fact that these classes are located at community colleges (for now) the course has not been adjusted by the instructor. The TSA studets either sink or swim.

Many government agencies have some sort of tuition reimbursemet program. As I understand, if it goes to a 4 year program, the students will pay a large portion of the course work.

Most of what I encouter is by the book. A few things are not. Most are.

Well, don't forget that part of the course includes intelligence analysis training, so I guess they need to have some kind of clue of how to digest the secret intel they will be receiving.

I'm sorry; having worked with former intel analysts and with folks training current analysts, I find it laughable that this is being characterized as providing any real "intel analysis" skills. :eek:


There's probably a fair bit of taxpayer $$ in it for them. They're probably on track to become a DHS "center of excellence" or something like that.

Some of the TSOs I know taking the class would agree with you, as some of them are former intel analysts. They run circles around the "college students" taking the class. Oh well, it is what it is.