Is It Wrong to Call The TSA Idiots?
Jun 18, 2009 | 6:56 pm
#46
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,034
Of course, there's a whole thread of people up in arms demanding a screener be fired for telling a passenger to "don't go away mad, just go away. "
Can a TSO call a passenger an idiot and it be okay, if the passenger has demonstrated they are, in fact, an idiot? Or is that only allowed from passengers?
Can a TSO call a passenger an idiot and it be okay, if the passenger has demonstrated they are, in fact, an idiot? Or is that only allowed from passengers?
However, the TSA puts the burden upon itself here:
We take immense pride in offering unparalleled security along with excellent customer service.
......
Most importantly, you are an essential part of what we do. We strive to balance security with the necessity to treat each of you as if you were our only customer.
We focus on people.
......
Most importantly, you are an essential part of what we do. We strive to balance security with the necessity to treat each of you as if you were our only customer.
We focus on people.
But to answer your rhetorical question, the TSA puts itself to a higher standard, whether the front-liners want to execute what HQ wants is up to the individual TSAer.
Let's face it, in the end, the right outcome was achieved in this case. The TSAer got mad, so he/she decided to retaliate by using the cop. The cop, in effect, rolled his/her eyes and just gave a verbal slap on the wrist. I'm sure the TSAer wasn't happy, but I'm sure the OP wasn't happy either.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:18 pm
#47
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,725
I would give a week's pay to hear this LEO quote the statute that says you can't call a TSO an idiot.
But, in your situation, I would have flipped off the cop, which is completely legal.
But, in your situation, I would have flipped off the cop, which is completely legal.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:33 pm
#48
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,725
yup
and yup again
and not to forget our very own MKEbound and the original kip hawley is an idiot freedom baggie
and yup again
and not to forget our very own MKEbound and the original kip hawley is an idiot freedom baggie
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:34 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
Ahh, but there's the rub. If a passenger calls a TSO an idiot, the TSO can call a LEO over to ... honestly, I'm not sure what. (Intimidate? Threaten with arrest for calling names?) But if a TSO insults a passenger, the passenger is just supposed to stand there and take it.
The same rules ought to apply to both parties. Either both incidents are cause for further "sanctions", or neither are. And I'm not sure I care which way it's resolved ... as long as both parties are treated equally.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:38 pm
#50
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Well, pretty difficult to comment since some idiot will dig up the exception and then claim that I'm conducting a misinformation campaign, but here it goes.
I think that STSOs will respond to passenger complaints and discipline TSOs who act unprofessionally towards a passenger. You don't have to believe it, but this is based on my interaction with FSDs, AFSDs, Training Managers, Supervisors and fellow Security Training Instructors from other airports. I also believe that the average LEO will not only take no action against a passenger who is guilty of nothing more than just acting like a jerk, but will also advise the local TSA management to stop these frivolous LEO calls.
That being said, there is something else that is conveniently ignored. Failure to cooperate at a security checkpoint is a legitimate LEO call. Usually, the name calling comes with an act. The other aspect is, depending on the jurisdiction, actively disrupting a security checkpoint or other public building is a legitimate LEO call.
If you want to go into an airport security checkpoint and scream at TSOs under the banner of free speech, go right ahead. But don't whine about LEOs responding with, at a minimum a stern verbal warning, and at the maximum an arrest for disturbing the peace.
Of course, no one here has the testicle fortitude to do anything other than just type words on a computer monitor about it.
I think that STSOs will respond to passenger complaints and discipline TSOs who act unprofessionally towards a passenger. You don't have to believe it, but this is based on my interaction with FSDs, AFSDs, Training Managers, Supervisors and fellow Security Training Instructors from other airports. I also believe that the average LEO will not only take no action against a passenger who is guilty of nothing more than just acting like a jerk, but will also advise the local TSA management to stop these frivolous LEO calls.
That being said, there is something else that is conveniently ignored. Failure to cooperate at a security checkpoint is a legitimate LEO call. Usually, the name calling comes with an act. The other aspect is, depending on the jurisdiction, actively disrupting a security checkpoint or other public building is a legitimate LEO call.
If you want to go into an airport security checkpoint and scream at TSOs under the banner of free speech, go right ahead. But don't whine about LEOs responding with, at a minimum a stern verbal warning, and at the maximum an arrest for disturbing the peace.
Of course, no one here has the testicle fortitude to do anything other than just type words on a computer monitor about it.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:38 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/04/inci...rnational.html
As you can see from the above, TSO's are paid to be professional (among other things); when they curse or are disrespectful, the TSA has a problem with it. Travelers are not required to abide by those rules and are not paid to do so and instead rely on the 1st amendment.
If one doesn't like the requirements of one's job . . . .
As you can see from the above, TSO's are paid to be professional (among other things); when they curse or are disrespectful, the TSA has a problem with it. Travelers are not required to abide by those rules and are not paid to do so and instead rely on the 1st amendment.
If one doesn't like the requirements of one's job . . . .
This board feels that it's okay to call a TSO an idiot if they act like one. I'm asking if it's okay in this board's opinion for a TSO to call a passenger an idiot if they are one.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:38 pm
#52
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,725
I was given a novelty key chain more than 5 years ago. It has an expended bullet and like the toy GI Joe with the little gun, it is totally useless. The one TSA told me that I couldn't fly with it and they were going to confiscate it. I told them thats fine...I dont care (at this point, I just wanted to get through screening and catch my flight). He told me not to yell at him. At no point did I raise my voice at all. He went on that I can't fly with the key chain. I told him that I have flown around the world with the same key chain in my bag and never had any issues before then. Ironically, I went through the same screening point at DEN twice in the previous 3 weeks and no one ever said anything. When I told him that, he said that wasn't possible..someone would have caught it during screening. That is when I said "that's because you all are a bunch of idiots." That is when the LEO was called over. As for the LEO and his lecture, he did ask for my ID. He did not write anything down but did tell me that he could have called my employer and reported that I had an incident at the airport. "Just this once, I will cut you some slack and let you go."
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:42 pm
#54
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Location: Louisville, KY
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If they want to leave the warm cocoon of Communism, they are welcome to call me anything they like, especially if they'd care to back it up.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:43 pm
#55
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,725
Same here, but I would just give them an 800 # that rings to one of my cell phones. Then its Jerky Boys time. I can do a serious Frank Rizzo, tough guy!
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:44 pm
#56
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
I'm talking about from the passenger. If you dish it out, don't be a whiny b!tch and not take it. I'm not talking about professional issues. I'm talking about how this board feels, not the TSA.
This board feels that it's okay to call a TSO an idiot if they act like one. I'm asking if it's okay in this board's opinion for a TSO to call a passenger an idiot if they are one.
This board feels that it's okay to call a TSO an idiot if they act like one. I'm asking if it's okay in this board's opinion for a TSO to call a passenger an idiot if they are one.
Jun 18, 2009 | 7:57 pm
#57
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 317
May I ask what you do for a living? There aren't many Americans that haven't chose to sell out the principles of this country or their own soul for a paycheck in this day and age.
Jun 18, 2009 | 8:02 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
Again, dish it out but can't take it. I don't think TSOs should be able to abuse pax and I don't feel pax should abuse TSOs. I've been called all kinds of names in my decades on the job. It's BS. I've also called people names before, both in response to them calling me first and me starting it. When I started it, it was crap. I was wrong to do so. I don't feel it was if they opened the door. Opinions may vary on that one, but I firmly believe that approach begets response.
If you want to man up, don't be surprised when someone picks up the gauntlet.
Jun 18, 2009 | 8:03 pm
#59
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Doctors? Lawyers? Engineers? Scientists? Fast Food Employees? Retail? Sanitation? Journalists?
Which professions have 'sold out the principles of this nation for a paycheck'?
Jun 18, 2009 | 8:05 pm
#60
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
