Comments rejected by TSA blog
Feb 4, 2008 | 8:36 am
#17
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Feb 4, 2008 | 9:30 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Texas
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...(Snippagio)...Things like drugs I think should be ignored. I don't think drugs are a good thing, but I think the line needs to be drawn there.
I have a harder time with finding the head, and honestly, I'm not sure where the line should be drawn. I mean, it's likely to be evidence of a murder. On the other hand, there would be a chance with the right lawyer and judge that the evidence could be quashed because it could be argued that the search turned criminal and violated the accused's 4th amendment rights and the guy could walk.
....So it really seems to me like it's lose/lose either way. It's an ethical conundrum at that point.
There is no easy answer to this.
I have a harder time with finding the head, and honestly, I'm not sure where the line should be drawn. I mean, it's likely to be evidence of a murder. On the other hand, there would be a chance with the right lawyer and judge that the evidence could be quashed because it could be argued that the search turned criminal and violated the accused's 4th amendment rights and the guy could walk.
....So it really seems to me like it's lose/lose either way. It's an ethical conundrum at that point.
There is no easy answer to this.
Aside from some state laws where possession of small amounts of drugs may be misdemeanor offenses, most state and federal statutes treat drug possession as a felony. A TSA (federal) employee who fails to report a felony may be guilty the ancient crime of "misprision", the failure of one not an accessory to report a serious crime (among other definitions). Of course, you as a private citizen are no less obligated to report felonies or the notify LEOs when suspecting one is likely/about to happen.
While I'm terribly uncomfortable with the TSA and many of its procedures, I long ago figured out that much of the effort is to convey to the "General Public" (who travel rarely, don't read Flyertalk, and are unlikely to engage in attempts at complex situational analysis) that it's safe to fly. Whether or not much of what TSA does makes flying safer is not the issue, but that an overwhelming majority of elected Congressfolk and Senators see the entire exercise as a successful cop-out which helps avoid/evade what is eventually going to be a far harsher level of "security".
It seems inevitable that one day soon, an individual or group, deranged or motivated by political issues, will attempt, hopefully unsuccessfully, some sort of attack on an a/c or a/c, either on the ground or in the air. Folks who use young women with Down's Syndrome to blow up crowded markets are likely candidates for even more barbaric and despicable acts. That's before you get to the potential of the outright crazies.
I don't think X-Raying flip flops helps, but I don't think Kip Hawley does either, but I suspect he knows that the steps which would be required to provide real "security" are beyond those FTers would tolerate without a lot more noise than we currently generate.
Feb 4, 2008 | 11:54 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Getting all the TSA staff to understand this would most likely bring us back to reducto ad absurdum.
Feb 4, 2008 | 2:29 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
The problem for a TSA employee and suspected drugs....
Aside from some state laws where possession of small amounts of drugs may be misdemeanor offenses, most state and federal statutes treat drug possession as a felony. A TSA (federal) employee who fails to report a felony may be guilty the ancient crime of "misprision", the failure of one not an accessory to report a serious crime (among other definitions).
Aside from some state laws where possession of small amounts of drugs may be misdemeanor offenses, most state and federal statutes treat drug possession as a felony. A TSA (federal) employee who fails to report a felony may be guilty the ancient crime of "misprision", the failure of one not an accessory to report a serious crime (among other definitions).
Feb 4, 2008 | 2:42 pm
#23
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On another note, there have been very few posts posted today. Only saw a few stamped for early this morning, while most comment areas have ones from last night.
I can't believe that people aren't commenting, and it's not a federal holiday. Did TSA realized that this is not going the way they hoped it would?
I can't believe that people aren't commenting, and it's not a federal holiday. Did TSA realized that this is not going the way they hoped it would?
Feb 4, 2008 | 4:28 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2007
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On another note, there have been very few posts posted today. Only saw a few stamped for early this morning, while most comment areas have ones from last night.
I can't believe that people aren't commenting, and it's not a federal holiday. Did TSA realized that this is not going the way they hoped it would?
I can't believe that people aren't commenting, and it's not a federal holiday. Did TSA realized that this is not going the way they hoped it would?
Feb 5, 2008 | 9:53 am
#26
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
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Once again, government proves beyond a doubt that the private sector is generally better run and more responsive to real-world concerns.
The good news is that it's getting a lot of press and it's demonstrating the incompetence for all to see. If you can't run a blog in a professional manner - you have no business being involved in anything as important as airport security. Americans deserve better than this nonsense.
Truth Sacrificed Always agency shows its true colors.
Feb 5, 2008 | 12:36 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,441
What Chance says
that page was accidentlly pulled off, and I've been informed that it will be returning. However, there is a good possibility we'll seperate the "gripes" from the grins, at least at some point.
It would seem to me that the TSA should be certain that its employees can spell before it has them answering questions from the public on a blog.
Feb 6, 2008 | 9:05 am
#29
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,343
Can We Refute This Statement?
Note the bolding. It's from the article over in Newstand about the guy in Tampa retaliated against for calling the TSA "Nazis."
Can we dispute this assertion I've bolded? If anyone has had a post pulled for a different reason, I suggest emailing the author would be appropriate. I've got to believe that my good cyber-friends here on FT are smart enough not to use profanity in this manner because we are smart enough to know that the TSA would use this as an excuse to pull the post.
SP Times Article
A place to vent at the TSA
The Transportation Security Administration, a lightning rod for criticism by unhappy fliers, got an eyeful with its new "Evolution of Security" blog (www.tsa.gov/blog).
More than 2,600 posts were filed in less than a week. There were questions about catching foot fungus at checkpoints and why scissors with 4-inch blades are okay, but Swiss Army knives with blades half as long aren't. The agency left harsh posts like, "P.S. I hate you and everything you stand for. And I love America. That is NOT inconsistent."
Fewer than two dozen posts were pulled, all for profanity.
Staff writer Steve Huettel can be reached at [email protected] or (813) 226-3384.
The Transportation Security Administration, a lightning rod for criticism by unhappy fliers, got an eyeful with its new "Evolution of Security" blog (www.tsa.gov/blog).
More than 2,600 posts were filed in less than a week. There were questions about catching foot fungus at checkpoints and why scissors with 4-inch blades are okay, but Swiss Army knives with blades half as long aren't. The agency left harsh posts like, "P.S. I hate you and everything you stand for. And I love America. That is NOT inconsistent."
Fewer than two dozen posts were pulled, all for profanity.
Staff writer Steve Huettel can be reached at [email protected] or (813) 226-3384.
SP Times Article
Feb 6, 2008 | 6:18 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I had to post on this comment. It really burned my a$$. TSO's post is quoted throughout inside the <i> tags.
<i>The reason TSA fills out an incident report when you ask for a complaint form is as much for your protection as ours. I know some people are doubting this but days, weeks or even months from now if someone looks at your complaint they will have no way of knowing what the circumstances were without that incident report.</i>
I call BS here. Asking for a complaint form is not grounds for an incident report. It doesn't take an incident report to file a complaint.
If the incident warrants it for damage to an item, that's one thing.
Crap like this is the very reason why I bring my own complaint form.
<i>It also serves to weed out those false complaints which will untimately cost the taxpayer. Believe it or not, there are people out there who will claim damage when there was no incident at all.</i>
You falsely assume that all complaints are going to be for damaged goods. That is patently false and a red herring.
<i>By us taking an incident report we can state such.
It also gives us a chance to list all screeners who may have witnessed the event and may need to be interviewed later, etc.</i>
There's a place on the complaint form for that. You don't need my name and address for that.
Besides, many TSO's will refuse to identify themselves and provide their badge number despite TSA policy requiring that they do so.
<i>As far as the privacy act, we should not be asking for your Social Security number and you should refuse to give it if one of us asks for it. It is NOT required and we were told not to ask for it.</i>
I suggest you read the privacy act. Social Security Number is just one of the things that can be collected. Even the post office provides a privacy act notice when I purchase services online. The fact that TSA thinks it's exempt is seriously erroneous.
<i>
As far as name/address, etc. We do have the right to ask for this info just by virtue of the fact that you are coming through the checkpoint. It does help us to match your complaint to the incident reports and providing it can help in seeing that you are paid if there is really damage.</i>
You have no such rights. If you're claiming the authority to collect that info, back it up with a law or reg. SSI is not a valid excuse here. You claim the right, you back it up.
TSA is there screen for threats. That's it. I don't need ID to get thru a checkpoint. Where I live, who I am, what my phone number is is irrelevant to file a complaint. Unless you have valid grounds to issue a fine (are you claiming that asking for a complaint form is grounds for that?), you have no reason to ask for it. And if you do decide to anyway, you HAVE to provide a Privacy Act notice. Otherwise, you are violating the Privacy Act and you are commiting a crime.
One of the big problems is that TSA and its employees think they have a lot more authority than they really have. With attitudes like yours, it's no wonder things are messed up at TSA.
I call BS here. Asking for a complaint form is not grounds for an incident report. It doesn't take an incident report to file a complaint.
If the incident warrants it for damage to an item, that's one thing.
Crap like this is the very reason why I bring my own complaint form.
<i>It also serves to weed out those false complaints which will untimately cost the taxpayer. Believe it or not, there are people out there who will claim damage when there was no incident at all.</i>
You falsely assume that all complaints are going to be for damaged goods. That is patently false and a red herring.
<i>By us taking an incident report we can state such.
It also gives us a chance to list all screeners who may have witnessed the event and may need to be interviewed later, etc.</i>
There's a place on the complaint form for that. You don't need my name and address for that.
Besides, many TSO's will refuse to identify themselves and provide their badge number despite TSA policy requiring that they do so.
<i>As far as the privacy act, we should not be asking for your Social Security number and you should refuse to give it if one of us asks for it. It is NOT required and we were told not to ask for it.</i>
I suggest you read the privacy act. Social Security Number is just one of the things that can be collected. Even the post office provides a privacy act notice when I purchase services online. The fact that TSA thinks it's exempt is seriously erroneous.
<i>
As far as name/address, etc. We do have the right to ask for this info just by virtue of the fact that you are coming through the checkpoint. It does help us to match your complaint to the incident reports and providing it can help in seeing that you are paid if there is really damage.</i>
You have no such rights. If you're claiming the authority to collect that info, back it up with a law or reg. SSI is not a valid excuse here. You claim the right, you back it up.
TSA is there screen for threats. That's it. I don't need ID to get thru a checkpoint. Where I live, who I am, what my phone number is is irrelevant to file a complaint. Unless you have valid grounds to issue a fine (are you claiming that asking for a complaint form is grounds for that?), you have no reason to ask for it. And if you do decide to anyway, you HAVE to provide a Privacy Act notice. Otherwise, you are violating the Privacy Act and you are commiting a crime.
One of the big problems is that TSA and its employees think they have a lot more authority than they really have. With attitudes like yours, it's no wonder things are messed up at TSA.