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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 6:51 am
  #16  
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If (god forbid) I worked for the post office, I'd wake up happy every day knowing that that there is a more reprehensible public-facing trough feed out there.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 8:40 am
  #17  
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Originally Posted by Owlchick
My aunt packed our leftovers in foam containers
But he couldn't see what's inside of them!
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 9:03 am
  #18  
 
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You should have a serious talk with your cousin.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 9:31 am
  #19  
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Originally Posted by baglady
While I realize this was an act of kindness, for LAX, it was more an act of God. I was amazed and thrilled. Don't worry, I won't expect it again, but I give the TSA at Lax 6 a big ^ for this past weekend.
I noticed the same thing that the TSA folks at LAX suddenly got professional! They explained to a 7 year old with a cast exactly what they were going to do and mentioned that if they wanted a private screening that was fine and within their rights.
They smile, ask the right questions etc. ^

Is there something in the water???
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 10:35 am
  #20  
 
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Originally Posted by viking407rob
Sadly this is often the type of people who are attracted to jobs where they can "tell people what to do."
The question posed when one discusses people in the LE/security field "going bad" is generally held to be - does the job attract them or does the job cause it?

My answer would be - yes.

Its always something we have to watch out for.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 10:37 am
  #21  
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Originally Posted by SirFlysALot
I noticed the same thing that the TSA folks at LAX suddenly got professional! They explained to a 7 year old with a cast exactly what they were going to do and mentioned that if they wanted a private screening that was fine and within their rights.
They smile, ask the right questions etc. ^

Is there something in the water???
Probably something not in the bottled water they've been taking from people.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 12:08 pm
  #22  
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Originally Posted by IceTrojan
You should have dumped everyone from the house.


This is what I think every second of the day
Originally Posted by Owlchick
I spent the rest of the dinner trying to ask nice, neutral questions about which gate he's at (so I can go to a different one tomorrow ) and other subjects. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking, "Holy moley, what would Mr. Spiff say?"
You will both be receiving your WWSD t-shirts shortly.

Mike
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 2:34 pm
  #23  
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Originally Posted by law dawg
The question posed when one discusses people in the LE/security field "going bad" is generally held to be - does the job attract them or does the job cause it?

My answer would be - yes.

Its always something we have to watch out for.
They are also the jackasses that do not understand that having "authority" over people involves much more responsibility than the average job.

If you have to tell someone you're in charge, you aren't.

Unfortunately, too many of them don't get weeded out before they create a headache for the rest of us.

A wise old Sergeant of mine once told me:"The object of law enforcement is to interfere with people's everyday lives as little as possible".

I think he was right.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 4:19 pm
  #24  
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I attended a college with a large Criminal Justice program - there were two types of people trying to become cops, the ones who really believed in "too serve and protect" and the ones who could wait to get their baton and hit someone for the first time. I would guess the TSA draws the same two types.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 6:22 pm
  #25  
 
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Originally Posted by MKEbound
I attended a college with a large Criminal Justice program - there were two types of people trying to become cops, the ones who really believed in "too serve and protect" and the ones who could wait to get their baton and hit someone for the first time. I would guess the TSA draws the same two types.
True, but would you venture to say the TSA has more of the latter than law enforcement agencies? My basis for saying that is legitimate law enforcement agencies use more screening tools to eliminate candidates of such ilk. Some get through, but wouldn't TSA have a higher percentage due to limited candidate screening?
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 12:20 am
  #26  
 
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Originally Posted by kerflumexed
I was getting ready to post something like this guy has a bright future with quick promotions.... but with all my flying last week, I found the TSA folks to be friendly, professional, etc. I am finding fewer jerks at checkpoints as the years drag on.
That's cause they get promoted... so far as I can tell - oh well, I graduate in three months and it's onto a real job, I do hope...
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 9:49 am
  #27  
 
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Originally Posted by We Will Never Forget
They are also the jackasses that do not understand that having "authority" over people involves much more responsibility than the average job.

If you have to tell someone you're in charge, you aren't.

Unfortunately, too many of them don't get weeded out before they create a headache for the rest of us.

A wise old Sergeant of mine once told me:"The object of law enforcement is to interfere with people's everyday lives as little as possible".

I think he was right.
Agreed. The best LE work is done where its invisible. Its like good movie making - the best movies are those where you don't see the incredible amount of work done behind the scenes. You just enjoy your experience.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 9:54 am
  #28  
 
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Originally Posted by vassilipan
True, but would you venture to say the TSA has more of the latter than law enforcement agencies? My basis for saying that is legitimate law enforcement agencies use more screening tools to eliminate candidates of such ilk. Some get through, but wouldn't TSA have a higher percentage due to limited candidate screening?
It depends. Most local LE agencies don't have the budget for thorough background checks. TSA checks are pretty thorough, much more so than most local LE agencies. They are not as thorough as many other federal agencies due to the nature of information handled. The higher the level of information handled, the higher level background.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:37 am
  #29  
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A couple of distant family members work for the TSA as screeners; they too have said how much they enjoy giving orders to so many people. Orders that they realize are generally FINAL and completely without recourse, given that most passengers just want to get thru the checkpoint as uneventfully as possible.

I never hesitate to tell these family members exactly what I think of them. Most of you can probably guess how the conversation goes.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:47 am
  #30  
 
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Originally Posted by law dawg
Agreed. The best LE work is done where its invisible. Its like good movie making - the best movies are those where you don't see the incredible amount of work done behind the scenes. You just enjoy your experience.
Very nicely said ^...it takes a special person to do LE work really well, year after year, knowing that many of the rewards are private, and how easy it is to just go by the book in every situation rather than cultivate a keen sense of judgement that is a hallmark of every good LEO
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