What is the chain of command at a TSA airport station?
 

What is the chain of command at a TSA airport station? When you are flying out of a major airport such as JFK, LGA & LAX, what are the responsibilities and the overall command structure of everyone involved?

Screener=To screen all luggage, carryon and checked, and to screen all persons trying to access the sterile area through the checkpoint.

Lead=A on floor supervisor that handles rotation of screeners and other small problems.

Supervisor= Overseer of everything on the checkpoint. He/she makes sure that all screeners and leads are doing the jobs correctly in the checkpoint.

They also deal with any alarms and problems screeners have with passengers or passengers have with screeners.

Screening Manager= Manages all screener functions at the checkpoint. Pretty much sits back make sure the job is being done correctly. Handles all issues screeners, leads, and supervisors may have. Will also help with problems that they are requested for, such as a overpowering supervisor.

FSD = Federal Security Director. Often a Political Hack, probably appointed by one of three incompetents: John Magaw, Norman Mineta, or James Loy. Responsible for all policies at a particular airport, including stupid shoe policies, multiple ID checks, gate harassment, etc. May have no security experience at all.

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

Screeners = To do ALL the work

Lead = To stand around and BS with the Sup

Sup = See Lead's duties

Screening Mgr = To make life miserable for the working stiffs (reference Screeners)

FSD = get drunk & drive around, get arrested for DUI while underlings are on the job.

OMG.......This is TOOOOOOOOOOOOO funny. You should go into PR.

PR? Hell no.

I was thinking of becoming a TSA Security Expert. I can make stupid ... policies and stuff to you know.

[This message has been edited by screenerx (edited Jan 28, 2004).]

Don't forget the CSS (Chief Security Screener) -- a rotating position among supervisors. He's the screener with the ever present cup of coffee in his hand. He's paid to scratch his butt all day.



[This message has been edited by HugeAss (edited Jan 28, 2004).]

Why does one checkpoint require three managers?

Because it is a Government Operation.

In reality, there should only be 1 Supervisor.

I dunno, with so many stupid policies, this agency creates so many problems that it may very well take three people to sort out the mess that gets created.

Cleaning house at the top would likely lead to a better agency, or just nuking it from orbit and replacing it with private contractors with very limited federal oversight would be a good start.

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

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Jan 29, 2004).]

The GAO has already found that private screeners with governmental supervision are just as effective as federalized screeners. This is exactly what I hope and predict will happen. The people running this agency are in over their heads.

All the more reason for the government to get out of the airline security business except to tell private contractors what they may not do. (e.g. racial profiling, shoe checks without probable cause, etc.)


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

To my knowledge, we @ RDU, have no such thing. But if we did, he wouldn't be required to scratch his butt, because the lead with his nose stuck in there would do it for him http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...m/rolleyes.gif

Are you speaking of Mgrs. or Sups ?

We have 3 CP's @ RDU. We normally have a SM for each, plus a Duty Mgr. We are also "required" to have 1 Sup per every 2 lanes @ the CP. And of course you have 1 or 2 Sups for every baggage area.

If TSA would cut the number of Mgrs.,Sups, & Leads, us working "dogs" could get a decent raise. But as with any gvt. job......to many chiefs, not enough indians http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...m/rolleyes.gif