I have NEVER attacked Spiff (himself). Just his opinions.
And I guess you've NEVER read any of his posts. He's never called TSA employees "Nazis" or worse.
I have NO pity for this person when it comes to posting on THIS board !!

Glad you asked the question! My answer is that I couldn't give a whit what happens to them. They can go back to work as the private security guards, janitors and Mickey D's "chefs" that they were before the TSA got it's unfortunate start. In other words, all the TSA folks can get a real job with a private employer who will insist on a full days work for a full days pay. Novel idea, eh??

I see the esteemed representative from the people's republic of California has chimed in. Nice broad resentment of persons he/she has never met. Beautiful assumption that TSA employees don't work a full day for their pay. Even more beautiful assumption that all TSA employees were former security guards, janitors, or fast food employees. As if being a security guard, janitor, or fast food employee is such a lowly profession. Outstanding opinion that being a TSA screener is not a real job. As if working in the private sector makes you more of a person than those in public service. Absolutely disgusting commentary and I'm ashamed that another human being appears to be so morally bankrupt.

OK, then allow me to try another approach that you may find more acceptable:

The TSA employees effectively work for me and my fellow citizens. We pay their salaries through a combination of taxes and "security" fees. Personally, if I had a choice in the matter, I would NOT spend my money on these services. I would let the people go -- to find whatever other jobs they may or may not be able to find. But that's not my problem. I just want my money spent effectively. Is that asking too much?

Bruce

Getting a little defensive, are we? You're certainly welcome to make whatever inferences you care to from my original post. To use a phrase that the TSA would understand, If the shoe fits, wear it.

No thanks; I don't have what it "takes" to work for the TSA.



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

I am all for getting rid of unnecessary jobs via Workfare when those jobs involve harassing me and providing little to nothing of value in return for my taxes and fees.

Many of the more qualified people might be rehired by privatized security firms, thus preventing too many homeless ex-TSAers.



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

This is some strange definition of the word "service" I wasn't previously aware of...



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"Give me Liberty or give me Death." - Patrick Henry

What is unclear? You either work for yourself, a private corporation, non profit organization, volunteer, or public service. Your dislike for the TSA does not change the fact that they are public service employees. Because you don't care for that service does not change the fact that it is. I don't care for needle exchange for addicts, but it is still a service nonetheless. Look, I know you and the others absolutely hate the screening process in its entirety. Sure, you can tolerate the checkpoint so long as you don't have to be screened with the wand. What is it called nowadays by your crowd...."wand raping"? As if getting a wanding and being raped were remotely similar. But I digress, the fact remains that screening must be done. Whether you care for it or not makes no difference unless you choose to take other means of transportation. I know that you and others who share your point of view are going to stick by your guns. That is fine. In fact I applaud anyone who has a principle and sticks by it. I would like to see the distinction drawn between the �machine� and the people. All the attacks on the TSA employees are downright sickening. Yes I know, there are a few of them that have problems, but every profession, and I mean every last one, has its problem children. However I dare not judge others based on the conduct of a few. So many posts on this board talk about how happy everyone will be when TSA screeners are �fired�. You don�t even know these people yet you want them "fired". Here�s my bottom line. Yes, we are taxpayers. Yes, we are all experts on how public funding should be spent. Absent our ability to call these shots, TSA is here and will remain. I cannot see any congress that will remove TSA responsibility for air travel security. The general flying public will not have it. The vast, vast majority of the voting public enjoys TSA services. That is what our representatives will listen to. Sorry for the long post, but I had to get my 2.5 cents worth in. Fire away!

What is unclear? You either work for yourself, a private corporation, non profit organization, volunteer, or public service. Your dislike for the TSA does not change the fact that they are public service employees. Because you don't care for that service does not change the fact that it is. I don't care for needle exchange for addicts, but it is still a service nonetheless. Look, I know you and the others absolutely hate the screening process in its entirety. Sure, you can tolerate the checkpoint so long as you don't have to be screened with the wand. What is it called nowadays by your crowd...."wand raping"? As if getting a wanding and being raped were remotely similar. But I digress, the fact remains that screening must be done. Whether you care for it or not makes no difference unless you choose to take other means of transportation. I know that you and others who share your point of view are going to stick by your guns. That is fine. In fact I applaud anyone who has a principle and sticks by it. I would like to see the distinction drawn between the �machine� and the people. All the attacks on the TSA employees are downright sickening. Yes I know, there are a few of them that have problems, but every profession, and I mean every last one, has its problem children. However I dare not judge others based on the conduct of a few. So many posts on this board talk about how happy everyone will be when TSA screeners are �fired�. You don�t even know these people yet you want them "fired". Here�s my bottom line. Yes, we are taxpayers. Yes, we are all experts on how public funding should be spent. Absent our ability to call these shots, TSA is here and will remain. I cannot see any congress that will remove TSA responsibility for air travel security. The general flying public will not have it. The vast, vast majority of the voting public enjoys TSA services. That is what our representatives will listen to. Sorry for the long post, but I had to get my 2.5 cents worth in. Fire away!

[quote]<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by urlbuster:

Quote:

The vast, vast majority of the voting public enjoys TSA services.

Hi again, urlbuster. BTW, a belated welcome to FT!
I would suggest that the quote above is somewhat of a stretch, to say the least. The vast, vast majority may TOLERATE the TSA...what other choice do we currently have....but I contend there is not a living soul who actually ENJOYS the TSA!
Airline screening, no matter how "professionally" it's done, is a pain in the butt at best. And when you have to run this same security gauntlet several times a week, week after week and month after month. it's downright nightmarish.
The infamous Granny and Joe Six-Pack who only travel once or twice a year may not have an issue with the TSA. But those of us who have to deal with this every week have, for the most part, a whole different viewpoint on the TSA.

Thank you for the welcome! Yes, I agree that frequent flyers will have a different viewpoint than the recreational flyer. That doesn�t change a thing in the long run however. Whether it is a pain in the butt, or a slice of pie, screening will be done from now until the end of time! I just fail to realize why so many people complain about enduring the screening. It's just like paying your taxes! You may wish it would just go away, but the reality is it won't. But again, I respect the opinion of others on the subject. I guess I am a little more accepting of the TSA screening requirements than my brothers and sisters on this thread. I respect TSA employees who do their jobs the best they can. I can appreciate the volume the screeners encounter on a daily basis. It is a thankless job in many respects, but I'm glad there are people who are willing to do the work. I worked a thankless job for over eleven years and can fully appreciate the dynamics of their profession. At least they can count on one person to be in their corner. Take care all.

all is lost

[This message has been edited by Fenito (edited Dec 21, 2003).]

The same thing that happens to every other employed person who loses a job ... they go on unemployment until they find another job most likely. I don't think they deserve any more consideration than any other jobless person does. Or were you perhaps thinking of an "Adopt an ex-TSA Screener Program"?


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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Ben Franklin