TSA Spends $1200 for Coffee
Jun 30, 2005 | 10:05 am
#1
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TSA Spends $1200 for Coffee
Auditors have called into question $303 million of the $741 million TSA spent to assess and hire airport screeners. The Post notes some of the more curious examples of misspent money:
* $526.95 for one phone call from the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago to Iowa City;
* $1,180 for 20 gallons of Starbucks Coffee at the Santa Clara Marriott in California;
* $1,540 to rent 14 extension cords at $5 each per day for three weeks at the Wyndham Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa in Telluride, Colo; and
* $8,100 for elevator operators at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.
* $526.95 for one phone call from the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago to Iowa City;
* $1,180 for 20 gallons of Starbucks Coffee at the Santa Clara Marriott in California;
* $1,540 to rent 14 extension cords at $5 each per day for three weeks at the Wyndham Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa in Telluride, Colo; and
* $8,100 for elevator operators at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.
Jun 30, 2005 | 10:12 am
#2
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I'm stuck at LAX right now, and I saw an fairly elaborate catering operation put on by the TSA between terminals (1 and 2, I think). BBQ, drinks, lots of food. Looked pretty good. I was pretty hungry, but I feared a full cavity search if I went over an mooched. I guess I paid for part of it anyway, eh?
Jun 30, 2005 | 10:32 am
#3
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I'd be curious to see their cost breakdown.
I can't imagine it actually costs $2.50 to screen someone, its like 1 minute of idiot*time. and idiots are paid <10$ an hour. Plus electricity and the equipment. I could see maybe 50c. But then to charge per flight segment, $10/rt is ridiculous.
I suspect the [mis] management personnel expense is the biggest.
I can't imagine it actually costs $2.50 to screen someone, its like 1 minute of idiot*time. and idiots are paid <10$ an hour. Plus electricity and the equipment. I could see maybe 50c. But then to charge per flight segment, $10/rt is ridiculous.
I suspect the [mis] management personnel expense is the biggest.
Jun 30, 2005 | 10:34 am
#4
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Fyi...
...it's all happening in this thread already:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448240
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448240
Jun 30, 2005 | 11:18 am
#5
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Originally Posted by RBCal
.....$526.95 for one phone call from the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago to Iowa City.....
Jun 30, 2005 | 11:47 am
#7
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* $8,100 for elevator operators at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.
I have never stayed at the Marriott Marquis. Do they really charge for elevator operators? Does going up cost the same as going down?
How much does a ride cost? (Presumably more if the elevator operator goes down during it.)
I have never stayed at the Marriott Marquis. Do they really charge for elevator operators? Does going up cost the same as going down?
How much does a ride cost? (Presumably more if the elevator operator goes down during it.)
Jun 30, 2005 | 12:01 pm
#8
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Wouldn't the Marriott Marquis exceed the published GSA (and DoD, although DoD isn't applicable to the TSA) per diem rates for lodging? Wonder who authorized having meetings / a conference there?!! 
Jun 30, 2005 | 12:14 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by RBCal
* $1,180 for 20 gallons of Starbucks Coffee at the Santa Clara Marriott in California;
Works out to ~$2.75/6 oz. cup. Bulk lattes anyone?
* $8,100 for elevator operators at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.
Perhaps they had to hire shoe carnival barkers for the queue to get on the lift?
Works out to ~$2.75/6 oz. cup. Bulk lattes anyone?
* $8,100 for elevator operators at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.
Perhaps they had to hire shoe carnival barkers for the queue to get on the lift?
Jun 30, 2005 | 12:55 pm
#11
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Originally Posted by Dovster
* $8,100 for elevator operators at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan.
I have never stayed at the Marriott Marquis. Do they really charge for elevator operators? Does going up cost the same as going down?
How much does a ride cost? (Presumably more if the elevator operator goes down during it.)
I have never stayed at the Marriott Marquis. Do they really charge for elevator operators? Does going up cost the same as going down?
How much does a ride cost? (Presumably more if the elevator operator goes down during it.)
However, I'm sure there will be plenty in the general public and Congress who will sing "but we are safer" to continue to justify this outrageous agency. Where is Ronald Reagan when you really need him?
He would have never tolerated this fiasco.
Jul 1, 2005 | 6:26 am
#12
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Originally Posted by goalie
isn't the rule to never ever use the phone in your hotel room for anything other than room to room calls and to use your cell phone for all "off property calls"........
Jul 1, 2005 | 1:44 pm
#14
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I have zero first-hand knowledge of these charges, but I am betting that the phone call was a conference call. The charge for coffee is pretty much in line with hotel catering costs I have encountered. Hotels charge exhorbitant prices for AV equipment rental, and they often forbid anyone from bringing it in from off site. About the elevator operator charge, I haven't a clue.
I am annually involved in the planning of a law enforcement trainers conference that is always held at a full-service hotel or convention center, and the charges detailed here are not inconsistent with what we have to pay.
I am annually involved in the planning of a law enforcement trainers conference that is always held at a full-service hotel or convention center, and the charges detailed here are not inconsistent with what we have to pay.
Jul 1, 2005 | 1:51 pm
#15
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Originally Posted by copwriter
I am annually involved in the planning of a law enforcement trainers conference that is always held at a full-service hotel or convention center, and the charges detailed here are not inconsistent with what we have to pay.
I can tell you this -- in private industry, anyone who authorized the rental of these extension cords would be fired. Presumably, Telluride has a hardware store where all 14 could have been bought for a total of about $60 and then kept for future conventions.