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-   -   TSA agents on trains (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-security-issues/922645-tsa-agents-trains.html)

ND Sol Feb 18, 2009 3:43 pm


Originally Posted by PhlyingRPh (Post 11281234)
Do TSO's have to take an oath of some sort?

Yes, they take an oath and some times it is in public to the detriment of travelers. Perhaps you might be see it happen next time while passing through.

PhlyingRPh Feb 19, 2009 7:30 am


Originally Posted by ND Sol (Post 11281554)
Yes, they take an oath and some times it is in public to the detriment of travelers. Perhaps you might be see it happen next time while passing through.

I was partially joking about the oath, this will teach me to stop doing that...

So, since there is an oath involved, and apparently there is a procedure manual that I am told looks like it's mother had been rodgered by a whale, perhaps TSO's should be required to intervene anywhere and anytime they sense a threat to security. That would be the next logical step wouldn't it? And if that is the next logical step, the one after that would be for trains, buses, taxi cabs, school buses, Marriott shuttles, etc, to have a TSO present at boarding and disembarkation.

fester Feb 19, 2009 9:33 pm


Originally Posted by bocastephen (Post 11274944)
Only as civilians in as much as you could do exactly the same drop kick routine.

They have these stupid VIPR teams that swarm public transit, but absent a cop to tell you you need to get off the bus/subway/train, if they question you, you can tell them get lost. They have no right to search or question you outside the airport checkpoint or sterile area unless they've been hired by some delusional group as private security for a venue.

That goes for other parts of the airport too - you do not need to submit to questioning, ID checks or baggage checks in the non-sterile area or outside the terminal. I recall someone posting here a year or so ago about being approached and questioned by screeners in the parking garage - if this happens to you, say the magic words - 'go away'

As a FYI...VIPR teams generally have Federal Air Marshals and/or local LEOs participating in the group. Many states also extend state law enforcement powers to Federal LEOs.

Good Guy Feb 19, 2009 9:38 pm


Originally Posted by fester (Post 11290205)
As a FYI...VIPR teams generally have Federal Air Marshals and/or local LEOs participating in the group.

Yes, but these folks are marked with a big "POLICE" on their uniforms.

Deeg Feb 20, 2009 6:15 am


Originally Posted by bocastephen (Post 11281169)
Unless the state grants federal law enforcement some type of recognition as state law enforcement, then no.

Last I looked, I think it was a little under half of the states that did grant feds arrest authority.

LoganTSO Feb 22, 2009 9:45 am

I've only intervened once... and that "intervention" was with my cell phone. I called the MBTA Transit Police because I ride the Blue Line... and there's this young kid who's a drug addict (who says he's not yet goes on about smoking dope and supposedly starting methadone treatment) and acts like a wigger/chav who generally is a nuisance to everyone but we learn to ignore him. Of course, he always tends to hit on any woman that's on the train... but occasionally he's rude about it.

However, one night ago, the kid was being the obnoxious usual guy he is... talking about smoking dope and "bleepin' sluts" and going to meet his dealer. Some old lady gets fed up and starts calling him out on it, he gets pissed and gets up in her face... and I decided Oh boy... better let the Transit Police know he's on the train tonight and he's acting up. Eventually, the train got held up for traffic reasons which occasionally can span up to 10 minutes... of course... this made Mr. Druggie paranoid that the cops were on to him and he bolted to the front train car for like 5 minutes before bolting again out of the station.

This guy's generally on the line alot and such a troublemaker that the MBTA's Inspectors and the Transit Police usually keep an eye on him when he's in a station. I know this because taking the train home from Airport station one night, he was waiting on the platform and some MBTA Inspector was watching closely.. as in like standing only 5 to 6 feet the guy. Of course, Mr. Druggie starts to make a fuss towards the Inspector because he's so close to him.

I spotted him two days later, on the terminating platform at the last stop bashing a payphone handset because something pissed him off. Of course, he had to get on in my car. Thankfully, he generally wasn't obnoxious that morning.


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