A kudo to MSNBC
Aug 6, 2007 | 9:05 pm
#1
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Aug 6, 2007 | 9:12 pm
#2
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Carry a bottle of water through a TSA screening area
The Transportation Security Administration’s prohibition of carry-on liquids and gels should have been stricken from the books months ago, when the government agency decided to replace its outright ban on liquids with one that’s difficult to understand — and enforce. (If you’re still a little confused about what “toiletries of three ounces or less that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag” are, you’re not alone.)
Now, instead of looking for terrorist hijackers, our federalized airport screeners are busy confiscating toothpaste, perfume and bottled water. I haven’t seen any conclusive evidence that the liquid and gel ban is protecting us from the bad guys. What I have seen are a lot of needless confrontations between TSA agents and frustrated air travelers, including the highly publicized sippy-cup incident that got Monica Emmerson and her toddler in hot water recently.
Maybe the government needs to buy a clue and realize that the villains have moved on to some other way of blowing up a plane. It’s time for them to move on, too.
Well Put ^
The Transportation Security Administration’s prohibition of carry-on liquids and gels should have been stricken from the books months ago, when the government agency decided to replace its outright ban on liquids with one that’s difficult to understand — and enforce. (If you’re still a little confused about what “toiletries of three ounces or less that fit comfortably in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag” are, you’re not alone.)
Now, instead of looking for terrorist hijackers, our federalized airport screeners are busy confiscating toothpaste, perfume and bottled water. I haven’t seen any conclusive evidence that the liquid and gel ban is protecting us from the bad guys. What I have seen are a lot of needless confrontations between TSA agents and frustrated air travelers, including the highly publicized sippy-cup incident that got Monica Emmerson and her toddler in hot water recently.
Maybe the government needs to buy a clue and realize that the villains have moved on to some other way of blowing up a plane. It’s time for them to move on, too.
Well Put ^
Aug 6, 2007 | 10:16 pm
#3
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After reading the comment page, it seems like most of MSNBC's viewers have a lot of hatred towards the TSA and its policies. What really makes me chuckle however, are the comments that ask "Why do F/J pax get to go through shorter security lines??". Hm...maybe cause we know to take our shoes off, take our KHIAI bags out, etc unlike the once a year flyers who take everything but the kitchen sink in their carryons!!
Aug 6, 2007 | 10:23 pm
#5
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After reading the comment page, it seems like most of MSNBC's viewers have a lot of hatred towards the TSA and its policies. What really makes me chuckle however, are the comments that ask "Why do F/J pax get to go through shorter security lines??". Hm...maybe cause we know to take our shoes off, take our KHIAI bags out, etc unlike the once a year flyers who take everything but the kitchen sink in their carryons!!
Aug 6, 2007 | 10:27 pm
#6
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I read the comments and most of them are the same mix: "obey TSA", "we're headed towards a police state", etc etc. However, one really stood out, and I think it's worth posting here.
Here goes:
Who wrote that: a user named catchick. Message #55.
Here goes:
I have a lot of contact with the public at my job and I have some sympathy with the TSA people. I know they run into some real lulus in these security lines.
HOWEVER, the TSA needs to be consistent across the board. It shouldn't be that what is acceptable at one airport is contraband of the worst kind at another. This makes no sense. Also, TSA agents need to be trained to show courteous behavior and to avoid pulling out the "I'll have you arrested!" card every time a passenger becomes frustrated. Like it or not, TSA employees, YOU set the tone! You're the figures in authority and everyone else in line is going to cue off how YOU handle your jobs! If you are professional and courteous at all times, and INSIST your co-workers be courteous as well, then you'd find your days would go along much smoother.
I'm perfectly willing to go along with the guidelines. However, if the TSA agents would make a point of trying courtesty first, rather than veiled threats, it makes for a nicer trip.
The truth is, TSA agents, you people are called upon to be the adults in this situation. Adults--not little tin gods or jerks because you have a uniform and a badge. You're the adults. Your job is to help people clear security safely and board their planes on time, safely. You receive a salary from the federal government. That makes you public servants and means you really work for the taxpayers. You need to keep that concept in mind. And serving people sometimes means you have to accommodate regulations to assist these people in getting through security.
Adults keep their heads in tense situations and do not scream or threaten people. Adults help diffuse tense situations by speaking calmly and helping people understand what's going on.
I thank all the TSA agents who have been respectful and courteous to me when I've flown. As for the rest: grow up.
HOWEVER, the TSA needs to be consistent across the board. It shouldn't be that what is acceptable at one airport is contraband of the worst kind at another. This makes no sense. Also, TSA agents need to be trained to show courteous behavior and to avoid pulling out the "I'll have you arrested!" card every time a passenger becomes frustrated. Like it or not, TSA employees, YOU set the tone! You're the figures in authority and everyone else in line is going to cue off how YOU handle your jobs! If you are professional and courteous at all times, and INSIST your co-workers be courteous as well, then you'd find your days would go along much smoother.
I'm perfectly willing to go along with the guidelines. However, if the TSA agents would make a point of trying courtesty first, rather than veiled threats, it makes for a nicer trip.
The truth is, TSA agents, you people are called upon to be the adults in this situation. Adults--not little tin gods or jerks because you have a uniform and a badge. You're the adults. Your job is to help people clear security safely and board their planes on time, safely. You receive a salary from the federal government. That makes you public servants and means you really work for the taxpayers. You need to keep that concept in mind. And serving people sometimes means you have to accommodate regulations to assist these people in getting through security.
Adults keep their heads in tense situations and do not scream or threaten people. Adults help diffuse tense situations by speaking calmly and helping people understand what's going on.
I thank all the TSA agents who have been respectful and courteous to me when I've flown. As for the rest: grow up.
Aug 6, 2007 | 11:10 pm
#7
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Yeah, that was a good post.
I was going to post my Kippie poster, but I didn't want that much info out there about me, nor did I want Comcast shutting off my account from too many hits.
Need to find another host for that poster.
I was going to post my Kippie poster, but I didn't want that much info out there about me, nor did I want Comcast shutting off my account from too many hits.
Need to find another host for that poster.
Aug 6, 2007 | 11:21 pm
#8
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Those are the comments that scare me the most. I recently spoke to an individual by cell phone ( granted, he doesn't fly that much, but he is a professional) who had just passed through security and been caught with a bottle of aftershave he left in his bag.
When I commented how stupid it was that he had to throw away his aftershave, he replied that it didn't bother him, "after all, these people are out to kill us and we have to protect ourselves."
I just kept my mouth shut and move on to the subject at hand. Lemmings. We will all become lemmings.
When I commented how stupid it was that he had to throw away his aftershave, he replied that it didn't bother him, "after all, these people are out to kill us and we have to protect ourselves."
I just kept my mouth shut and move on to the subject at hand. Lemmings. We will all become lemmings.
Aug 7, 2007 | 8:21 am
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I just kept my mouth shut and move on to the subject at hand. Lemmings. We will all become lemmings.
Aug 7, 2007 | 10:53 am
#12
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From the comments I've read since yesterday, the TSA is losing supporters with every inconsistency (esp medical necessity re;contact lens solution, gastric bypress protein, etc.) and stupid inflexibility (taking a G I Joe toy from a kid, etc.). Folks who were prepared to give them a break when arriving at the airport, now see how useless the (currently-run) security apparatus has turned out.
Aug 7, 2007 | 11:28 am
#13
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This is great to read, but for every extremely rare media report which outlines what's wrong with the TSA or gives face time to those opposed to it, there are ten more interviews which (deliberately) only show people making "if it makes me safer, I'm all for it" comments, or a hostile FOX/CNN interview where TSA detractors like Mike Boyd are made to look like incompetent hacks who serve on Osama's payroll.
Remember, the rude and abusive (or often incompetent) screeners are not the root of the problem - TSA management and their policies is the problem.
If you fired every single TSA screener and replaced them with Disney employees, we would have most of the same problems - except our shampoos would be taken away with a smile and a pinch on the cheek instead of a rude scoff or threat.
Remember, the rude and abusive (or often incompetent) screeners are not the root of the problem - TSA management and their policies is the problem.
If you fired every single TSA screener and replaced them with Disney employees, we would have most of the same problems - except our shampoos would be taken away with a smile and a pinch on the cheek instead of a rude scoff or threat.