TSA agents on trains
Feb 18, 2009 | 3:43 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
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.
Feb 19, 2009 | 7:30 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Programs: UA/CO(1K-PLT), AA(PLT), QR, EK, Marriott(PLT), Hilton(DMND)
Posts: 9,538
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.
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.
Feb 19, 2009 | 9:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 132
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'
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'
Feb 20, 2009 | 6:15 am
#20
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 628
Feb 22, 2009 | 9:45 am
#21
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: TSA TSO
Posts: 455
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.
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.