TSA Party Thread
Oct 13, 2004 | 6:15 pm
#1
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Oct 13, 2004 | 6:33 pm
#2
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Sen. Byron Dorgan (news, bio, voting record), D-N.D., said that he had not seen the full report but that it indicated "a colossal waste of money."
"There's something terribly wrong with that agency," Dorgan said. "Of all the agencies, that's the one that's supposed to be working full-time against terrorist attacks."
"There's something terribly wrong with that agency," Dorgan said. "Of all the agencies, that's the one that's supposed to be working full-time against terrorist attacks."
Now if only Sen. Dorgan could get his Dakota neighbor Sen. Daschle to understand this about the TSA!
Oct 13, 2004 | 6:34 pm
#3
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Wow!. What can I say. My tax dollars at work? Or is that the ticket tax that paid for this?
But... I guess they were deserving of life time achievement awards. There have been no terrorist attacks since 9/11. They even caught Cat Stevens (DHS, not TSA).
I feel so much safer.
But... I guess they were deserving of life time achievement awards. There have been no terrorist attacks since 9/11. They even caught Cat Stevens (DHS, not TSA).
I feel so much safer.
Oct 13, 2004 | 6:35 pm
#4
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"Ervin also is investigating why the agency's private recruiters worked out of lush resort hotels with golf courses, pools and spas.
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said that he had not seen the full report but that it indicated "a colossal waste of money."
"There's something terribly wrong with that agency," Dorgan said. "Of all the agencies, that's the one that's supposed to be working full-time against terrorist attacks."
All that was missing was the bonfire made out of cash.
Disband this colossal money pit now!!!
And welcome to FlyerTalk, LessO2!
Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said that he had not seen the full report but that it indicated "a colossal waste of money."
"There's something terribly wrong with that agency," Dorgan said. "Of all the agencies, that's the one that's supposed to be working full-time against terrorist attacks."
All that was missing was the bonfire made out of cash.
Disband this colossal money pit now!!!
And welcome to FlyerTalk, LessO2!
Oct 13, 2004 | 6:50 pm
#5
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Absolutely disgusting
This is an absolutely disgusting waste of taxpayer money.
I have no problem with an agency spending some money for a holiday party or an awards ceremony - such things are done in the private industry, but $500 platters of cheese and the wastes outlined in this article are disgusting.
Performance bonuses? For what? The most # of people de-shoed at a given airport? The most suitcases cut open & damaged? The airports which only had a 20% security lapse in testing opposed to a 35% rate?
I also find it disgusting the top executives got all of these large bonuses and the front line employees, nada.. ok, 3%. Front line employees deserve recognition but instead they get the shaft if this article reflects things accurately.
I'm not fan of the TSA as a government agency, but if anyone deserves an award or a celebration, it's the folks working the front line. TSAers: Just out of curiousity, how often are you recognized on the front line? If you do something special, do you get an award from management, like a gift card for dinner? Do you have any incentives or awards program?
Best,
SDF_Traveler
I have no problem with an agency spending some money for a holiday party or an awards ceremony - such things are done in the private industry, but $500 platters of cheese and the wastes outlined in this article are disgusting.
Performance bonuses? For what? The most # of people de-shoed at a given airport? The most suitcases cut open & damaged? The airports which only had a 20% security lapse in testing opposed to a 35% rate?
I also find it disgusting the top executives got all of these large bonuses and the front line employees, nada.. ok, 3%. Front line employees deserve recognition but instead they get the shaft if this article reflects things accurately.
I'm not fan of the TSA as a government agency, but if anyone deserves an award or a celebration, it's the folks working the front line. TSAers: Just out of curiousity, how often are you recognized on the front line? If you do something special, do you get an award from management, like a gift card for dinner? Do you have any incentives or awards program?
Best,
SDF_Traveler
Oct 13, 2004 | 7:06 pm
#6
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I can see it now.
Highest Revenue Generator -- You might be in jail, but at least you're getting props! (And the charges will be dropped because relevant evidence will be suppressed for 'security reasons.')
The Shakthi Award* -- For dedication to, and excellence in, groping.
The Nike (sponsored by Nike) -- Diligence and excellence in shoe mania.
The Edison -- 5-6 figure bonus for inventing the most secret rules.
*Shakthi is a Hindu goddess with many arms and hands.
Highest Revenue Generator -- You might be in jail, but at least you're getting props! (And the charges will be dropped because relevant evidence will be suppressed for 'security reasons.')
The Shakthi Award* -- For dedication to, and excellence in, groping.
The Nike (sponsored by Nike) -- Diligence and excellence in shoe mania.
The Edison -- 5-6 figure bonus for inventing the most secret rules.
*Shakthi is a Hindu goddess with many arms and hands.
Oct 13, 2004 | 8:15 pm
#7
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I've said this before, but I'll say it again: This wasteful, useless agency should be disbanded, its employees should be fired and its leaders should be punished. This story just reinforces my beliefs.
Oct 13, 2004 | 8:43 pm
#8
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Oct 13, 2004 | 8:44 pm
#9
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WASHINGTON - The government agency in charge of airport security spent nearly a half-million dollars on an awards ceremony at a lavish hotel, including $81,000 for plaques and $500 for cheese displays, according to an internal report obtained by The Associated Press.
Awards were presented to 543 Transportation Security Administration employees and 30 organizations, including a "lifetime achievement award" for one worker with the 2-year-old agency. Almost $200,000 was spent on travel and lodging for attendees.
The investigation by the Homeland Security Department's inspector general, Clark Kent Ervin, also found the TSA gave its senior executives bonuses averaging $16,000, higher than at any other federal government agency, and failed to provide adequate justification in more than a third of the 88 cases examined.
The report said lower-level employees were shortchanged, with a far lower percentage receiving bonuses.
Awards were presented to 543 Transportation Security Administration employees and 30 organizations, including a "lifetime achievement award" for one worker with the 2-year-old agency. Almost $200,000 was spent on travel and lodging for attendees.
The investigation by the Homeland Security Department's inspector general, Clark Kent Ervin, also found the TSA gave its senior executives bonuses averaging $16,000, higher than at any other federal government agency, and failed to provide adequate justification in more than a third of the 88 cases examined.
The report said lower-level employees were shortchanged, with a far lower percentage receiving bonuses.
Oct 13, 2004 | 9:17 pm
#10
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Oct 13, 2004 | 9:29 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by SDF_Traveler
I'm not fan of the TSA as a government agency, but if anyone deserves an award or a celebration, it's the folks working the front line. TSAers: Just out of curiousity, how often are you recognized on the front line? If you do something special, do you get an award from management, like a gift card for dinner? Do you have any incentives or awards program?
Oct 13, 2004 | 9:52 pm
#12
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Two observations:
A well-run organization always rewards its employees for a job well done. The question is at what cost. I think this one may have overstepped the line.
Also, $33/head for catering is actually an excellent price. For the functions I plan, I can never get under $50/head unless the menu is pigs in a blanket.
A well-run organization always rewards its employees for a job well done. The question is at what cost. I think this one may have overstepped the line.
Also, $33/head for catering is actually an excellent price. For the functions I plan, I can never get under $50/head unless the menu is pigs in a blanket.
Oct 13, 2004 | 10:47 pm
#13
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Originally Posted by PHLbuddy
I can never get under $50/head unless the menu is pigs in a blanket.
Oct 13, 2004 | 10:49 pm
#14
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Originally Posted by PHLbuddy
Also, $33/head for catering is actually an excellent price. For the functions I plan, I can never get under $50/head unless the menu is pigs in a blanket.
True! I'll take a function where they "only" charge $33/head any day of the week. In fact, I'd take one at $50/head and still consider myself lucky.
But considering that this is taxpayer's money...
.
Oct 13, 2004 | 10:57 pm
#15
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"The awards banquet, which cost $461,745, was held at the Grand Hyatt, which bills itself as "one of the most magnificent" hotels in the nation's capital. According to the report, the agency chose that site because it was the only hotel available on Nov. 19, 2003, the agency's second anniversary. It also was one of the few places that could accommodate about 600 honorees and as many guests."
$461,745 divided by 1200 people = $384.78 per person.
Note, that is, as I said, per person. Considering that we are talking about TSA policy makers here, I imagine that there were considerably fewer heads.
$461,745 divided by 1200 people = $384.78 per person.
Note, that is, as I said, per person. Considering that we are talking about TSA policy makers here, I imagine that there were considerably fewer heads.