I think nearly all of us here understand the conundrum -- to put it charitably -- all too well.

But here's what we don't understand: Why would any of our fellow citizens want to play these games for a living? Just for the paycheck or is there some other lure for taking such a job?

If the impetus to take such a job is based on the honest belief of "catching bad guys" then I will do my damnedest to persuade them of the fallacies of that belief.

If the impetus to take such a job is simply the need for a paycheck then I will do my damnedest to persuade them of the inherent dishonesty about taking such a job.

If the impetus is for attaining a sense of self-inflation ... then there's little that persuasion can achieve at that point. Evasive tactics become a much higher motivation for me.

Thanks - I wasn't trying to cause you a problem, just wanted to be sure I understood correctly.

At EWR terminal C (where I begin most of my flights) there are three checkpoints to choose from. Each checkpoint has several screening lines open. If I wanted to avoid a particular one it would be trivial to do so. Leaving one and going to another would only take two or three minutes.

And right there you have one of the biggest problems with our government. Those who make the rules should have to live under the rules. Chertoff and Hawley should be required to fly coach without any special notification to screeners of who they are. Congress should be required to have the same health care insurance as normal people, and when they retire to live off the same level of social security and medicare. etc.

I'm afraid that their horns would give them away.

Deleted

Anyone familiar with the "overnight kits" Qantas provides on their long haul flights and domestic redeyes in Y?

I have a ton of them and they each come with eyeshades, a toothbrush, and a small "one or two" use toothpaste. The thing of toothpaste is so small that I doubt many screeners would find it. I was handed one everytime I've taken a Qantas domestic redeye, but would always use my toothbrush and toothpaste. I would just toss the overnight kits in my carry-on. The business class ammenity kits has a full toothbrush and proper sample size tube of toothpaste (along with lotions and hydrating gels, etc ... all big security threats :rolleyes: )

I'll be using those small toothpaste things for my travels. I'll probably seperate the toothpaste from the QF toothbrush which it is pre-packaged in. Once I run out of these, I wonder where I can get more of these small toothpaste one (or two) use tubes?

SDF_Traveler

Everyones reasons for doing a certain job are their own. I myself could never be chained to a desk working on a computer all day. I'd rather put a gun to my head and kill myself. To judge someone because of what they do for a living is not fair. Some people are doing jobs they hate because they have to pay their bills or their kids are in college. But its the job they could get and they had to take it. It would be wonderful if we could all be doing what we wanted to, but thats just not reality. When I started with the TSA, it was in the very beginning of the agency, I had very high hopes. I truly believed that I would be making the would just a little safer. And I did my best every day I went to work. That said, the agency has turned into a joke for the most part, by forcing these ridiculous rules on people. When I did what I believed to be the "right" thing, I lost my job. But I still believe that most of the screeners really do believe they are helping, at least a little bit. Telling someone they are stupid, or an idiot for the career they chose is wrong. Somehow screeners are lumped in with McDonald's workers, which is not only incorrect, but an insult to the hard working people in fast food.

Good gracious, you mean to say the X-rays aren't made to detect small vials of perfume, or hotel sized shampoo?

Much like razorblades, the ban is nigh useless... Just tape a colostomy bag to your thigh and you're home free.

But here's what we don't understand: Why would any of our fellow citizens want to play these games for a living? Just for the paycheck or is there some other lure for taking such a job?

For alot of people at the TSA a government job that pays 15 bucks an hour is fantastic... At my airport, we're right next to the college, so quite honestly, this is a good college job, got my retirement fund going already...

It makes me feel good to know that those flying the plane are so wise and intelligent. Too bad they don't get to be in charge of the TSA.

In going thru my dopp bag before my current trip, I found some matches and a tube of moisturizer that were missed by the last screener who confiscated the neosporin. Classic. He pulled about 10 things out of the kit and STILL missed banned items. (Yes, I have now removed them myself as I don't need to temp fate). ;)

I fly every week and have been stuffing my pockets. :D Screw Hawley and his fantasy of security.

Just remember when you put things in your pockets, make sure there are no foil coverings or wrappers. This always seems to be why these things are picked up by the WTMD.

Matches aren't banned, only lighters.

Unless of course, their "strike anywhere" matches. And if its a book of regular matches, its 4 books,or at least it was.