...Because I noticed at CPR last week that they've all got clip-on ties...seems strange that a "professional" organization wears clip-ons...

Also, do they have standards for appearances? Just curious as well - I've seen some of the sloppiest dressed, unshaven, unshowered-appearing agents at IAD these days...

If they want to be "professional," shouldn't they look the part? Recently, they've started looking like dirty thugs...at least at IAD...

It pisses me off that my tax dollars support this lack of professional appearance...not that these people are LEO, but no LE agency in the US would accept these appearance standards...just pathetic...

It's not a matter of knowing how to tie one, it's what you are issued, there are 2 lengths, of clip ons for the males and tie arounds for the ladies. Agreed that droopy pants and sloppy shirts are pretty unprofessional. And it would be nice if they used detergent to wash them now and again.

There is no news as to when the Smurfette looks starts but rumour has it that it will hit the east coast first. God help us all then.

airlinebrat 53

Look at most law enforcement/security/corrections uniforms and you will see they all have clip on ties. The reason is that if you get into a fight, the bad guy won't grip your tie and use your head as a yo-yo. The lack of grooming standards has always been a gripe with the FAM's. We were required to be clean shaven and wear professional clothing even though we were "under cover". If anyone should have a professional appearance, it is the TSO's who are very visible.

As the previous poster stated it is what's issued. There is no choice in the matter. CBP, Immigration and many police departments are issued clip-ons, though for TSA it may be a safety issue. If your tie gets caught in a conveyor belt, it will simply clip off. If your traditional tie gets caught, you may get hurt.
Nowadays the safety issue may be that the passenger can't strangle you when you take their shampoo.

The new uniforms are supposed to be issued to the larger airports first. There is conflicting information on the color. It was said that upon seeing the final product, the original shirt color was scrapped in favor of the dark navy blue that CBP wears. My new uniform was shipped on Friday, but as far as I can tell, it's incomplete since the pants show as back ordered until February, although the suppliers website is often wrong. We'll see sooner or later.

A clip-on with a collar pin is just plain WRONG!

If we can't expect them to detect a bomb, how can we expect them to do something simple like tie a tie?

With the exception of the Army, every uniform tie I have ever worn has been a clip-on, for the safety reasons mentioned previously. The state patrol in Washington wears bow ties with their dress uniform, and even that one is a clip-on.

There's a chance that TSA will start dressing like CBP? Good grief.

I doubt the TSA had that level of forethought, but your point about the conveyor belt does make sense.





We've all heard that thing about the TSA being the government agency with the most OTJ injury claims.

I'm convinced most of them are through poor baggage handling techniques (seen that dozens of times) and poor physical condition.

To cure the latter, those new uniforms should be issued no larger than XL. If you can't fit into it, you're out until you do.