Obama appoints Errol Southers to head the TSA
Aug 11, 2009, 12:11 pm
#76
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This is a very valid point. I did a paper some years ago about cognitive dissonance at screening checkpoints that addressed this in a different manner. Basically, people just don't know how to react to certain situations as it differs greatly from their accepted norms. For example, many people use the term "barking" to describe a screener giving instructions. To a person of a military/law enforcement background, the manner isn't taken as offensively. It is simply a person speaking in a tone that draws attention to the information they are trying to convey. There is little perception of authoritarianism or hostility. Take someone outside of that realm, where being spoken to in a loud manner is a sign of disrespect or shame and we have the cognitive dissonance. The key is to effectively bridge the communication barrier. How do you relay information in a manner which demonstrates it's pertinence and yet not seem offensive? Figure that out and you might have a job in DC. 
Aug 11, 2009, 3:04 pm
#77
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Maybe if there was any value in the actual act (all liquids must be in a baggie, laptop out, shoes off) - people might respond to the message well. Secondly, instead of "barking" while randomly walking up and down the line, maybe the person could be observing, and upon noticing someone that doesnt' seem to have (for instance) their shoes off, coming over to them and saying - "Excuse me Sir/Madam, want to make sure you know that your shoes must be off prior to proceeding"...
Oh and what a beaut, if it was mandatory job requirement for all TSA personnel, that they must use Please, Thank You and Sir/Madam in every sentence. With a smile...
Yeah -I know, I know - that's the big difference- the TSA sees this as a security/military function - whereas the general public sees it as a customer service function. They're not used to being yelled at and intimidated when they have purchased a service (transportation).... Perhaps if I was entering a military base I would have different expectations....
Oh and what a beaut, if it was mandatory job requirement for all TSA personnel, that they must use Please, Thank You and Sir/Madam in every sentence. With a smile...
Yeah -I know, I know - that's the big difference- the TSA sees this as a security/military function - whereas the general public sees it as a customer service function. They're not used to being yelled at and intimidated when they have purchased a service (transportation).... Perhaps if I was entering a military base I would have different expectations....
Oct 14, 2009, 12:23 pm
#79
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A keynote address given by him.
Willing to give him some time to correct the mess that is TSA. Six months tops.
Willing to give him some time to correct the mess that is TSA. Six months tops.
Oct 14, 2009, 12:34 pm
#80
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The process at military bases was much more enjoyable (for lack of a better word) than CBP at the US/Canada border or TSA at certain airports. One time at Ft. Detrick I went ahead because I thought I had been waved forward. Apparently I hadn't, but it wasn't until the end that the lady said to make sure to wait at the stop sign until waved forward. TSA flips out if you go through the WTMD before you are signaled.
Oct 14, 2009, 12:46 pm
#81
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Hearing Info
Hearing
Nominations Hearing
Full Committee
Thursday, October 15, 2009
02:30 PM
SR - 253
Nominee: Mr. Erroll G. Southers, to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Nominee: Dr. Patrick Gallagher, to be Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, at the U.S. Department of Commerce
Nominee: Dr. Elizabeth M. Robinson, to be Chief Financial Officer, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Nominee: Mr. Paul K. Martin, to be Inspector General, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration**
**PLEASE NOTE ADDITION: Mr. Paul K. Martin has been added to the agenda for the nomination hearing since the original announcement.
Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service should contact Naomi Eskin at (202) 224-5115 immediately to make any necessary arrangements.
<snip>
Witnesses
Opening Remarks
Panel 1
Mr. Erroll G. Southers to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Panel 2
Mr. Patrick Gallagher to be Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, at the U.S. Department of Commerce
Ms. Elizabeth M. Robinson to be Chief Financial Officer, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mr Paul K. Martin to be Inspector General, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Full Committee
Thursday, October 15, 2009
02:30 PM
SR - 253
Nominee: Mr. Erroll G. Southers, to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Nominee: Dr. Patrick Gallagher, to be Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, at the U.S. Department of Commerce
Nominee: Dr. Elizabeth M. Robinson, to be Chief Financial Officer, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Nominee: Mr. Paul K. Martin, to be Inspector General, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration**
**PLEASE NOTE ADDITION: Mr. Paul K. Martin has been added to the agenda for the nomination hearing since the original announcement.
Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid or service should contact Naomi Eskin at (202) 224-5115 immediately to make any necessary arrangements.
<snip>
Witnesses
Opening Remarks
Panel 1
Mr. Erroll G. Southers to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Panel 2
Mr. Patrick Gallagher to be Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, at the U.S. Department of Commerce
Ms. Elizabeth M. Robinson to be Chief Financial Officer, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mr Paul K. Martin to be Inspector General, at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Oct 14, 2009, 1:01 pm
#82
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Oct 14, 2009, 3:28 pm
#84
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Checking the WhoIs data:
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Wonder if errollsouthersisanidiot.org and .net are available?
Oct 14, 2009, 3:40 pm
#85
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Oct 14, 2009, 3:48 pm
#86
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"Nominee: Mr. Erroll G. Southers, to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
Is this a typo? How is the head of TSA the Asst.? I could see if he was an Asst. DHS Sec. in charge of the TSA.
Should the aviation community send Capt. Sully and a A320 to represent their interests?
If ole Errol makes as many errors as The Kipster, then Checkpoint Evolution will naturally become "Errport Security" at That Southers Agency. 
Is this a typo? How is the head of TSA the Asst.? I could see if he was an Asst. DHS Sec. in charge of the TSA.
Should the aviation community send Capt. Sully and a A320 to represent their interests?
Oct 15, 2009, 3:36 am
#87
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I got it: Error Southers (need a better last name, though.)
Originally Posted by Flaflyer
"Nominee: Mr. Erroll G. Southers, to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
Is this a typo? How is the head of TSA the Asst.? I could see if he was an Asst. DHS Sec. in charge of the TSA.
Should the aviation community send Capt. Sully and a A320 to represent their interests?
If ole Errol makes as many errors as The Kipster, then Checkpoint Evolution will naturally become "Errport Security" at That Southers Agency.
Is this a typo? How is the head of TSA the Asst.? I could see if he was an Asst. DHS Sec. in charge of the TSA.
Should the aviation community send Capt. Sully and a A320 to represent their interests?
Oct 15, 2009, 3:46 am
#88
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"Nominee: Mr. Erroll G. Southers, to be Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security"
Is this a typo? How is the head of TSA the Asst.? I could see if he was an Asst. DHS Sec. in charge of the TSA.
Should the aviation community send Capt. Sully and a A320 to represent their interests?
If ole Errol makes as many errors as The Kipster, then Checkpoint Evolution will naturally become "Errport Security" at That Southers Agency.
Is this a typo? How is the head of TSA the Asst.? I could see if he was an Asst. DHS Sec. in charge of the TSA.
Should the aviation community send Capt. Sully and a A320 to represent their interests?
If ole Errol makes as many errors as The Kipster, then Checkpoint Evolution will naturally become "Errport Security" at That Southers Agency.
Oct 15, 2009, 9:18 am
#90
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I have not read up too much on him, but if he is anything like Kippie, or Gale, then TSA will continue to help destroy the airline industry with their useless, hassle filled rules and procedures.
The airlines (most of them anyway) do not need help destroying themselves as far down as the industry is now. Most of them have put themselves there with incompetent management in most cases, the economy, fuel prices have not helped either.
Its almost like the airline industry is at the edge of a cliff with everything else that is wrong with it, and TSA is right behind them with their stupid rules and procedures pushing as hard as they can
The airlines (most of them anyway) do not need help destroying themselves as far down as the industry is now. Most of them have put themselves there with incompetent management in most cases, the economy, fuel prices have not helped either.
Its almost like the airline industry is at the edge of a cliff with everything else that is wrong with it, and TSA is right behind them with their stupid rules and procedures pushing as hard as they can