+10. Well said. Thank you. ^

OK, if we are going to have to live with TSA for a while, let's put Spotnik in charge, since he seems to actually get the concepts of logic and freedom. The STL situation and the fact that TSA actually has created a "legal" cash threshold that then became probable cause for a LEO interrogation shows that they have spun out of control. I may not fly as much as some members (17 flights during July of every year and a couple dozen the rest of the year) but I have been doing it internationally for 36 years. Most TSO's that I encounter are professional but there is no doubt that, just like some in LE, there are those that are still upset about not being allowed to be crossing guards in elementary school. TSORON's posts seem to take this tone. We are not the enemy. We are just trying to get to work in the most efficient manner possible and expect to be treated in a civil manner. In most business environments, especially in this type of economy, if someone is unable to treat their "customers" with civility and knowledge of their product they get terminated. Those that show leadership and common sense get elevated. "Cream rises". Let's do the same for the TSA.

The rules DO change often, and of course we are just as frustrated with that as you are. But that is neither here nor there. Most rules don’t change very often, like the one that says No Knives. Yet we still collect 25-30 knives a day at each of the checkpoints in my airport. Or the rule that says No Firearms, yet the TSA catches usually about 15 to 25 per week on its various checkpoints.

Can you explain why people cant get those rules straight? I sure cant, and I am one of the one’s who have to tell people time and again that there is actually some metal in that cell phone.

As stated, no, I cannot agree with that statement. I can say that there are occasions when a TSO is unclear on certain aspects of the rules, or where the rules may be a bit ambiguous, or where the rules don’t really cover what is obviously a dangerous item. But to deliberately make up rules just to irritate a passenger? No.

The TSA treats you like passengers. Terrorists get a whole different type of treatment.

Our job is not to catch terrorists. Its to prevent them. By our presence, our screening, or SOP’s and our inspectors, along with the other layers of security that the TSA/DHS oversees, we PREVENT terrorist attacks.

Sure there are areas where I don’t understand TSA’s reasoning. But then again with all my experience in the field, with all my knowledge, I bashfully admit that I don’t know it all. There are people out there in the TSA who know far more about the field than I do, and they may see the reasons for policy that you or I cannot. Additionally, we get intelligence from the various agencies of the government that I never have access to, but others do (policy makers) and they base decisions and policies on what that intelligence tells them. I get to see some of the stuff that comes down from on-high, and its pretty interesting stuff. Some of it makes even less sense than the policies that they are changing, but then again life is stranger than fiction.

No, you don't.:rolleyes:

If someone wanted to get to an aircraft with some sort of contraband that is banned by your "agency", they could. Why, again, do I see TSA agents walk through the metal detectors without getting patted down when they make it go off?

I am the true last line of defense in protecting my passengers and my aircraft. We've got policies and procedures that are in place that allow passengers to go about their daily lives as if there was nothing different.

TSA slogan
 

Winning the war on terror one shoe at a time:D

Where’s the public list of prohibited items? Ambiguous “hints and tips” don’t count.

You have been trying to change people's minds on the TSA? Ok see this is where you messed up.

You can't change people's minds by posting drivel on some forum. The only way you (TSA) can change people's minds about the TSA is to start listening to their concerns and positively act on them.

Pretending that the TSA does everything it does in the interest of real safety/security is ludicrous. We have exposed many gaping holes in the security of the TSA and have even explained how to fix those holes. We have shown what is purely theater and wasted resources and we have shown potentially unconstitutional aspects of the TSA.

Have you noticed Dean has a lot of friends on this forum? He wears the same uniform as you do and he does the same job as you do following the same SOP. So what makes Dean different?

Could it be the fact that he knows a good portion of his daily song and dance is inconsequential to security? Could it be that he does understand what constitutes real security and he wants the checkpoints to focus on those aspects? Could it be that he is not a zealot apologist for the blinding stupidity of the TSA?

Look inward Grasshopper to find peace, one day you will be able to snatch the stone from my hand.

Thank You!
 

Thank you very much for an extremely well written and thoughtful post, spotnik. It is refreshing to see that there are folks who get it. Who can grasp what TSA should do. All too often do we see the opposite attitude.

I don't know if Dean feels that way about what TSA does or not. I know that he's at least friendly about it, explains it how it is and seems to be an all-around friendly guy. I get the sense he does a good job without being obnoxious about it.

I'd also add Spotnik to the list of respected around here. Spotnik tries to do the job as assigned but errs on the side of people's rights and shows them respect.

There are other TSO's around here that have generally good reps as well. Some of which had unfortunately disappeared. Others haven't been around in awhile but were generally well received.

And, of course, there are those that aren't.

Neither makes it out to be a crusade or jihad to convert people to the TSA gospel. I think both share our desire to see air travel be safe. Regardless of what we think of TSA, I think both show us that there are good people within TSA.

You're right - no one's going to be able to convert people to the TSA gospel or change minds. TSA is the only one capable of doing that, and they have to do that by showing people. Talk is cheap. Show us the money. The problem is, TSA isn't interested in doing that.

So really, the evangelizing isn't going to do much, and if it anything, it's harming the cause.

Actually, Ron, you haven't really responded to anyone's concerns. You simply prattle on about how you are a TSO and that should immediately mean respect from the citizenry because - somehow - you putting on the TSO uniform makes you an expert. Some of your answers on this very forum indicate such a belief is pretty misguided (such as your initial insistence that carrying more than $10,000 out of the country was, in fact, illegal).

You are, of course, free to call people names and insult them and wave your smug attitude of superiority as much as you wish.

But, honestly, I would prefer you simply spend your valuable free time learning about what it really means to be TSO.

I would like to add my kudos to spotnik as well. Thank you.

Isn't it interesting the TSORon could find time to reply to all the "complainers" but hasn't said a peep in response to spotnik's well thought-out post? That says a great deal about TSORon, none of it good.

Absolutely outstanding analogy, and spot-on.

^^^

--PP

And since a certain poster has come one here(I bet we can all guess:D) my dislike for the TSA has been re enforced.

To the other tso's on here THANK YOU. I'm sorry this one guy is bringing you all down.

Hanlon's law says "never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." I carry a Swiss army knife in my pocket all the time. I have to consciously remember to take it out of my pockets when I travel by airplane; a couple of times, I've caught it in my pocket while parking my car at the airport and had the change to leave it in my car. Heck, if Alvin Crabtree can forget about the firearm he brought to the checkpoint, why is it so unusual that passengers forget?

And, as you point out, 20 firearms per week, in comparison with the millions of passengers who transit a checkpoint each week, is really a very, very, very small percentage. Probably as small as the percentage of TSOs who steal from passengers.

Except that our silence in response to those questions could be interpreted as "suspicious behavior" by a TSO, thereby subjecting us to additional, invasive screening procedures. (Unless you're willing to tell me otherwise?)

Actually, TSORon, the explanation is quite simple. The majority of travelers who transit the checkpoint on any given day are either first-time air passengers or have not flown in many years. You interact with air travel rules 16-40 hours a week (or more), 49-52 weeks a year. (I don't know or particularly care about the specifics of your employment status. It is not my business, or the business of those on this forum.)

The travelers you see on a daily basis typically interact with air travel rules a few hours a year or less. Many probably have not interacted with air travel rules in 10, 20, or more years. If you can't tolerate repeating the same information, day in, day out, for these people because it is new to them, perhaps you chose the wrong line of work.

Okay, here I will offer some qualified agreement. I don't believe the typical TSO deliberately makes up rules just to irritate a passenger. I think it is far more common that they don't know the rules and try their best to handle the situation. I think this usually is a result of failures in hiring standards, training, or management.

Deterrence cannot be accurately measured, which makes this too easy an argument.

Also, the job of the screening checkpoint is to keep dangerous things off airplanes.

TSORon, if you want to change people's minds about TSA, you can most effectively do so by performing well at the checkpoint. Become an exemplary TSO. Treat all people with decency and respect. Remain calm and patient in the face of abuse and derision. Know your job in minute detail. Spend any time you have left over attempting to change TSA for the better.

If you want to change people's minds on this forum, treat them with decency and respect. Remain calm and patient in the face of abuse and derision. Post only well considered and and researched responses. Post links to back your statements. Stop calling yourself a security expert, as real security experts demonstrate that status through their actions and insight. Stop demanding respect, as respect is only given to those who earn it.

Ron, this statement bothers me more than anything else I have seen you post. Do you really think it is acceptable to come on this forum, represent yourself as a TSO, then proceed to display arrogance, contempt, and derision towards the other members of this site? Surely I misunderstand the meaning of your statement. I would really like to help you develop your professionalism as a TSO. It is possible to do the job correctly and still respect citizens' rights and the US Constitution. In fact, it will likely make you a better TSO.

As for the rest of you:
So many of you have been saying such nice things about me. I'm actually rather embarrassed. Thank you very much for all the kind sentiments.

Of course, I am beginning to suspect that one of my brethren TSAer's may have used the ignore button on me. *sigh*