http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...021501811.html

Unbelievable. . is the Congresss so "out of touch" with what is going on with this agency that they're now allowing them to unionize? This would mean nobody would be let go, the costs would be even more astronomical for the absolute incompetence of these people, and there would be no recourse. . .this is a sad day.

I've called my congresspeople, Nancy Pelosi's office, and the media about the most recent incident that occurred to me in SFO 2 weeks ago. No return calls/no action.

This is just amazing. Now their wages will be more, their benefits more, and yet we continue to receive horrendous service by people on a "power trip" thinking that they are protecting our country.

My solution: Bring the folks home from Iraq and give them these jobs instead of the current batch of incompetents.

Before you put all 43,000 screeners under one "incompetent" umbrella you might wwant to do a little research. Sure there are those screeners that are on a powertrip, and I am sorry that you might be a little incovenienced by their actions.

The truth is there are many screeners who take their jobs seriously, and many of them have served in the armed forces the the first two gulf wars. The TSA gives hiring preference to veterans. My father is one of them.

I have had many discussions with him concerning TSA policy and the many absurd policies currently in place. I don't agree with many of them and neither does he.

However, as a veteran he appreciates the opportunity the TSA has given him and does his job with pride. Despite the fact that he has been verbally abused and physically threatened by overzealous frequequent fliers who think they are so important they are exempt from the rules. His pay is peanuts and the benefits are not on a par with the other Federal agencies. Their human resources department is outsourced and completely useless and the TSA senior management does not care about their people.

That is why they need a collective bargaining agreement...............

If it's that bad, he should quit and find something better. If he's not skilled enough for something better, too bad.

Monopolizing the workforce to artificially inflate wages does nothing but raise costs and lower returns for everyone. Unions are for the lazy (and the late 1800's).

The post title is a bit misleading. The proposal simply passed a committee, not signed or approved by Senate or House yet, and the president has vowed to veto it. So we're a ways away from "TSA allowed to unionize".

Don't forget reducing the quality of output.

Ah, the same love it or leave it rationale that people on the forum get all riled up about when used against them.

As in, if you don't like the TSA, then don't fly!

Tough cookies.

If you can't handle the heat, by all means get out of the kitchen.

This is exact! Next time dont read the Washington Post and watch something that offers "fair and balanced" like Fox News...They will tell you the WHOLE story.

Sorry if the title is "misleading" but to even have this considered is just continuing the "theatre of the absurd" known as the TSA that continues to occur imo.

I find it astounding that somebody would say you don't like the TSA, don't fly! That to me is part of one of the largest problems with the TSA - lack of customer service and civility! FYI - it's also not because of "one TSA agent" but many over the last 5 years.

Sure, just as soon as you quit your whining.

For those not paying attention I'll say it again - the argument was made if the TSA father of one of the poster's should quit his job with TSA or suck it up. The same argument could go - quit flying or suck it up.

If you find that line of reasoning uncivil then where's the outrage at lack of civility to that man's father?

I am always flying out from PHX when I am like with TSA is much better than old security before 9/11. I remember when 9/11 attacks the security is very bad the old security does not good enough. Now on, WSA has been took over all terminals when they need to get a better security. I think last 5 years ago some US Airports has been improvement the security checkpoint. I know few airports has been terribly security: CVG, JAX, SMF, and few others. I remember when I was gotten through checkpoint at JAX in October 2001. The security is very bad when my carry on bag is go through again the x-ray machines. He didn't look it up the monitor after I told him that I don't have anything sharp object. I hear over the news sometimes in mid-2002 when aviation security is improved some few airports is MIA, FLL and few others.

Too bad.

If you can't handle the heat, please feel free to leave the kitchen.

Meanwhile, I'm still flying and filling out that form everytime I pass though a checkpoint.

The TSA needs to be disbanded, not unionized.

We're closer than you think. The measure has already passed the House.