Majority of TSA workers at BWI, Dulles fail recertification test
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA:SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night:Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,523
Majority of TSA workers at BWI, Dulles fail recertification test
Majority of TSA workers at BWI, Dulles fail recertification test
By: Barbara Hollingsworth
Local Opinion Editor
06/24/09
Half of the Transportation Security Administration workers at BWI and an eye-popping 80 percent at Dulles International have failed mandatory tests that certify them to screen passengers, the agency reported. And while less than half of the TSA screeners at BWI flunked the baggage section of the test, a whopping 90 percent didnt make the grade at Dulles.
By: Barbara Hollingsworth
Local Opinion Editor
06/24/09
Half of the Transportation Security Administration workers at BWI and an eye-popping 80 percent at Dulles International have failed mandatory tests that certify them to screen passengers, the agency reported. And while less than half of the TSA screeners at BWI flunked the baggage section of the test, a whopping 90 percent didnt make the grade at Dulles.
#3
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M




Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
"TSA employees believe that many of them are being intentionally failed on the Practical Skills Evaluation recertification test so that the agency doesnt have to give them raises and bonuses. A letter send by the American Federation of Government Employees to Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano and House Homeland Security chairman Bennie Thompson calls for a nationwide investigation into test standards and the training of TSA screeners."
Awwww! The test is SO hard!!!
Fire them!!!
Awwww! The test is SO hard!!!

Fire them!!!
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 72,277
A letter send by the American Federation of Government Employees to Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano and House Homeland Security chairman Bennie Thompson calls for a nationwide investigation into test standards and the training of TSA screeners.
#5
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
so can our resident tsa folks 'splain what happens when you "fail" and i do like this part from the article-the bolding is mine and "lack of uniformity and bereaucracy" kinda sums it all up, dontcha think?
One screener reportedly failed the body pat-down section of the test in Houston - even though she found all the items that would have triggered a security alarm but passed after retaking the test and doing the same thing at BWI the next day. "If I failed because they do things differently at other airports, that's not right. Everybody needs to be doing the same thing," she said.
Agreed. But the U.S. government has been at war with terrorists for eight years now. Shouldnt we be far beyond such bureaucratic bungling by now?
Agreed. But the U.S. government has been at war with terrorists for eight years now. Shouldnt we be far beyond such bureaucratic bungling by now?
#6
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,004
"One screener reportedly failed the body pat-down section of the test in Houston - even though she found all the items that would have triggered a security alarm but passed after retaking the test and doing the same thing at BWI the next day. "If I failed because they do things differently at other airports, that's not right. Everybody needs to be doing the same thing," she said."
Gee, the same maddening, inconsistent behavior that passengers face daily; how strange that any TSO would object...
Gee, the same maddening, inconsistent behavior that passengers face daily; how strange that any TSO would object...

#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA EXP/Marriott Plat/Hertz PC
Posts: 12,724
#11
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
One screener reportedly failed the body pat-down section of the test in Houston - even though she found all the items that would have triggered a security alarm but passed after retaking the test and doing the same thing at BWI the next day.
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232

I do like the conspiracy theory that they're only being failed to be denied a raise; that's a fun one. Better let them unionize so they can ensure fair treatment for all.
#13




Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sydney (for now), GVA (only in my memories)
Programs: QF Lifetime Silver (big whoop)
Posts: 9,324
#14
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag DYKWIA:SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night:Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,523
<SNIP> However, it is a fair process. TSOs fail because they did not follow procedures correctly. I have absolutely no uncertainty, doubts, second-thoughts or question about the officers I failed. Conversely, I have no uncertainty, doubts, second-thoughts or question about the officers I passed.
#15
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K,SPG Plat,
Posts: 1,091
Someone else asked this, but really, if they are not passing the recertification test, then how are they able to do the job, and how can the TSA still claim that they are keeping up standards of security?
I don't want to pile on the TSA, but really, how are they able to keep the lanes open with qualified screeners at those airports? Imports from other airports? Overtime?
I don't want to pile on the TSA, but really, how are they able to keep the lanes open with qualified screeners at those airports? Imports from other airports? Overtime?

