Ever seen TSA in Airport Clubs?
Aug 23, 2010, 6:04 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,157
Aw, c'mon star... And you don't think that screeners targeting people just because they're foreigners or screeners performing retaliatory screenings on people aren't more blatent examples of bigotry? And since when was this bigotry? Are you taking a page from the Democrats' "How to Label the Masses Who Oppose Obama's Socialist Policies" handbook on this one? 
And we're also ignoring something else here... by drinking the coffee and eating the food and taking up the space in those clubs reserved for the airline's elite, TSA screeners are effectively stealing. They're breaking the law, and using the color of authority given to them by their TSA job to allow them to get away with it. After all, I'm certain that airlines wouldn't let just anybody go into their club lounges and eat, drink, and sit without either paying for access or having elite status.
Ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that TSA screeners who use their position to get into airport clubs to eat and drink are doing nothing more than committing petty theft. They're thieves, plain and simple. And they're abusing their badge and position to allow themselves to do it.
I guess it just goes to show that when TSA isn't trying to steal from passengers, they busy themselves by trying to steal from the airlines.
And we're also ignoring something else here... by drinking the coffee and eating the food and taking up the space in those clubs reserved for the airline's elite, TSA screeners are effectively stealing. They're breaking the law, and using the color of authority given to them by their TSA job to allow them to get away with it. After all, I'm certain that airlines wouldn't let just anybody go into their club lounges and eat, drink, and sit without either paying for access or having elite status.
Ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that TSA screeners who use their position to get into airport clubs to eat and drink are doing nothing more than committing petty theft. They're thieves, plain and simple. And they're abusing their badge and position to allow themselves to do it.
I guess it just goes to show that when TSA isn't trying to steal from passengers, they busy themselves by trying to steal from the airlines.
Here's the source material if anyone is interested.
Several years ago, I was air-side in Tuscon waiting to catch the Dawn Patrol back home. I was in line at the coffee shop along with several other people. A TSA screener struts up to the counter ahead of everyone else and buys (I think he paid for it.) a cup of coffee. This obviously wasn't the first time this guy had done this.
I gave up my place in line and followed him over to the sugar & milk bar. I told him that I was a 25-year + retired military officer (not uncommon in AZ) and current federal civil servant and did he know that he had just committed a violation of government ethics rules? After he looked at me with the "Just who do you think you are?" look, I told him he had violated the rule on using your office for personal gain by cutting to the head of the coffee shop line. His response was that he only had a few minutes for his break. My response was, "It doesn't matter." I suggested to him that he probably didn't want to end a promising TSA career on an ethics violation. He walked away and that was the end of it. Did he butt to the head of the line the next day and the day after that? Who knows.
So, if anyone ever sees a screener in a club using his office for personal gain, by all means take a couple of pictures, try to get his name, and call or email the DHS Inspector General (IG) Hot Line.
Aug 23, 2010, 7:49 pm
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,477
I gave up my place in line and followed him over to the sugar & milk bar. I told him that I was a 25-year + retired military officer (not uncommon in AZ) and current federal civil servant and did he know that he had just committed a violation of government ethics rules? After he looked at me with the "Just who do you think you are?" look, I told him he had violated the rule on using your office for personal gain by cutting to the head of the coffee shop line. His response was that he only had a few minutes for his break. My response was, "It doesn't matter." I suggested to him that he probably didn't want to end a promising TSA career on an ethics violation. He walked away and that was the end of it. Did he butt to the head of the line the next day and the day after that? Who knows.
So, if anyone ever sees a screener in a club using his office for personal gain, by all means take a couple of pictures, try to get his name, and call or email the DHS Inspector General (IG) Hot Line.
Aug 23, 2010, 9:26 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,593
Aug 24, 2010, 8:13 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
When NW had a lounge in PHL a very noticeable TSA guy seemed to be there about every time I was chatting with the staff or munching on the snacks. I assumed he had a GF there or was a NW lounge member and somehow was never very busy harassing travelers in the cattle chutes.
MisterNice
MisterNice
Aug 24, 2010, 8:21 am
#22
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: DL: 3.8 MM, Marriott: Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 24,575
Folks, in case some of you missed it, the topic here is TSA in Airport Clubs.
Thus the topic is not your opinion of your fellow FT'ers.
We've removed several posts that were personal and inflammatory.
Lets keep this discussion on the topic and off each other.
_________________
Cholula
TS/S Co-Moderator
Thus the topic is not your opinion of your fellow FT'ers.
We've removed several posts that were personal and inflammatory.
Lets keep this discussion on the topic and off each other.
_________________
Cholula
TS/S Co-Moderator
Aug 24, 2010, 8:56 am
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
When NW had a lounge in PHL a very noticeable TSA guy seemed to be there about every time I was chatting with the staff or munching on the snacks. I assumed he had a GF there or was a NW lounge member and somehow was never very busy harassing travelers in the cattle chutes.
MisterNice
MisterNice
I recall issues at DTW when screeners would sneak into the WC to steal food and drinks while the staff would try and throw them out.
The Clubs are private, leased space between the airline and airport authority and the TSA has no authority to enter unless there is a security emergency - and I'm sure their authority to enter the Club and what they can do inside of it during an emergency has been spelled out in writing somewhere.
If anyone sees a screener inside a Club, they should get the staff involved right away.
Aug 24, 2010, 9:45 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag™ DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
So, if anyone ever sees a screener in a club using his office for personal gain, by all means take a couple of pictures, try to get his name, and call or email the DHS Inspector General (IG) Hot Line.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:23 am
#26
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
The Clubs are private, leased space between the airline and airport authority and the TSA has no authority to enter unless there is a security emergency - and I'm sure their authority to enter the Club and what they can do inside of it during an emergency has been spelled out in writing somewhere.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:42 am
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
I'd be shocked if more than a couple screeners across the country invested in a membership to use a Club as a break/quiet space.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:46 am
#28
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Maybe it would vary by type of club. Don't the CO clubs have food? I know at AA you'd be lucky to get an apple or a small muffin.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:48 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,130
AS clubs have the most food offerings for a standard, domestic club. CO offers breakfast muffins/bagels/cereal, and other times there is real cheese plus crackers, fruit, chips, and cookies.
Aug 24, 2010, 11:58 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Washington DC USA
Posts: 2,571
No, but why on earth would they do this - unless they wanted to take their break in the Club. If so, I would expect they would be admitted properly (credentials + ID), and to be sitting there like any other member - not trying to dart in undetected, or forcing their way in to steal food.
I'd be shocked if more than a couple screeners across the country invested in a membership to use a Club as a break/quiet space.
I'd be shocked if more than a couple screeners across the country invested in a membership to use a Club as a break/quiet space.
See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14533705-post17.html
