TSA wants new uniforms
Jul 20, 2007, 2:17 am
#1
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TSA wants new uniforms
The wrong look for screeners
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Transportation Security Administration wants to increase the professionalism of its 43,000 screeners who scrutinize airline passengers and luggage for explosives, weapons and other contraband.
The more professionalism the better, given the chronically high rate at which screeners around the country fail to catch contraband in undercover tests.
Increasing training -- particularly shifting the job focus be yond a simple checklist mentality to looking for suspicious behavior beyond the limited zone around the X-ray machine -- is a good idea.
But the TSA is off course with the sartorial part of its improvement plan. It wants to replace the screeners' dark pants and white shirts with uniforms that are more policelike, complete with gold badges.
The TSA says the badges and uniforms will better reflect the critical nature of the screeners' jobs and the ever-higher standards. But the screeners' present look isn't unprofessional. Their shirts are businesslike and bear a prominent TSA logo, along with large identification cards that clearly indicate their role.
Some federal and local law officers fear the new accouterments could confuse passengers into thinking screeners are real police. Which they aren't. In a real emergency -- say you saw an assault in progress -- contacting a screener could mean a delay while the screener found a cop.
Gate security was transferred from the airlines after 9/11 to the federal government because the system was far too porous. There are still too many holes, so the government's aim has to be to produce the most meticulous and professional screening force possible. But screeners aren't cops and don't need to look like police.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Transportation Security Administration wants to increase the professionalism of its 43,000 screeners who scrutinize airline passengers and luggage for explosives, weapons and other contraband.
The more professionalism the better, given the chronically high rate at which screeners around the country fail to catch contraband in undercover tests.
Increasing training -- particularly shifting the job focus be yond a simple checklist mentality to looking for suspicious behavior beyond the limited zone around the X-ray machine -- is a good idea.
But the TSA is off course with the sartorial part of its improvement plan. It wants to replace the screeners' dark pants and white shirts with uniforms that are more policelike, complete with gold badges.
The TSA says the badges and uniforms will better reflect the critical nature of the screeners' jobs and the ever-higher standards. But the screeners' present look isn't unprofessional. Their shirts are businesslike and bear a prominent TSA logo, along with large identification cards that clearly indicate their role.
Some federal and local law officers fear the new accouterments could confuse passengers into thinking screeners are real police. Which they aren't. In a real emergency -- say you saw an assault in progress -- contacting a screener could mean a delay while the screener found a cop.
Gate security was transferred from the airlines after 9/11 to the federal government because the system was far too porous. There are still too many holes, so the government's aim has to be to produce the most meticulous and professional screening force possible. But screeners aren't cops and don't need to look like police.
Jul 20, 2007, 6:29 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ATL
Posts: 272
Some federal and local law officers fear the new accouterments could confuse passengers into thinking screeners are real police. Which they aren't. In a real emergency -- say you saw an assault in progress -- contacting a screener could mean a delay while the screener found a cop.
Gate security was transferred from the airlines after 9/11 to the federal government because the system was far too porous. There are still too many holes, so the government's aim has to be to produce the most meticulous and professional screening force possible. But screeners aren't cops and don't need to look like police.
Gate security was transferred from the airlines after 9/11 to the federal government because the system was far too porous. There are still too many holes, so the government's aim has to be to produce the most meticulous and professional screening force possible. But screeners aren't cops and don't need to look like police.
You know its coming. Its only a matter of time.
Jul 20, 2007, 6:54 am
#4
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Here's My Vote...
...for the new TSA uniforms. In the interests of standardization, all TSA employees, from Kippie on down (and including FAMs) should be required to wear the new uniform: http://www.peoriarestaurants.com/ima...s_jan_2006.jpg ^
Jul 20, 2007, 7:16 am
#5
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We all certainly hope Spiff is allright. I mean, this thread has been here six hours and Spiff has not yet posted his predictable uniform suggestion for Kip and the Gang: Orange prison jumpsuits. 
Jul 20, 2007, 7:21 am
#6
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Here's my vote
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu...owns901125.jpg
A uniform like this would really underscore the high standards, particularly in the technical competence, of this agency.
A uniform like this would really underscore the high standards, particularly in the technical competence, of this agency.
Jul 20, 2007, 7:53 am
#8
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Is this a joke? Like an editorial or real news? I can't believe it...speechless, which for me is very rare.
There are so many things wrong with this concept, I don't even know where to start, well ok..let's start with the concept that a more 'professional' uniform will improve screener performance. That is so much bunk, I can smell it from here.
Screener performance is bad, because they are not recruiting and retaining good people. They are not recruiting and retaining good people because the organization is a total train wreck, from its leader on down. Morale is in shambles. Giving them new uniforms isn't going to help.
Who comes up with this crap???
There are so many things wrong with this concept, I don't even know where to start, well ok..let's start with the concept that a more 'professional' uniform will improve screener performance. That is so much bunk, I can smell it from here.
Screener performance is bad, because they are not recruiting and retaining good people. They are not recruiting and retaining good people because the organization is a total train wreck, from its leader on down. Morale is in shambles. Giving them new uniforms isn't going to help.
Who comes up with this crap???
Jul 20, 2007, 8:23 am
#12
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TSA screeners are not professional, they're not police and they don't *DESERVE* to wear a badge. They're not putting their lives on the line protecting people - they're rifling through people's socks and underwear for evil liquids and gels.
Jul 20, 2007, 8:24 am
#13
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You can dress up a bunch of circus clowns in whatever clothing you like; they're still a bunch of circus clowns masquerading as real security professionals.
Edit: I just clicked on Spiff's link - looks like I'm slow on the draw today.
Edit: I just clicked on Spiff's link - looks like I'm slow on the draw today.
Jul 20, 2007, 8:34 am
#14
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You know that when a problem arises and something HUGE happens on an airline, TSA will say, we were there to HELP prevent, but not able to stop ALL possible problems. They won't have any accountability to any actions that would/will happen.