TSA greeters looking for arriving pax
Oct 18, 2007 | 9:52 am
#46
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 223
Let's stop this "wounded vet" crap as an excuse . . . I am one (from a time long ago) and when I pass through TSA I am often subjected to incredible BS in order not to remove my shoes. I see from this board that there are others with injuries that require them to keep their shoes on that they too are subjected to this same stuff.
TSA needs to get its employees up to speed on policy and assist everyone who requires/asks for assistance. That's everyone - from injured service members, to wounded vets, to individuals with congenital conditions, to individuals with any type of mobility assistive device (even little old ladies in wheelchairs). I'm really tired of seeing old people struggling to get their shoes off and on with no chairs anywhere remotely near the WTMDs - just swab them if they don't alarm!
TSA is responsible for the screening area and people entering it who have not been screened . . . they are not responsible for people transiting this area from airside. Let the airlines provide the physical assistance/escort individuals (service member or civilian) need . . . let TSAers offer a well meant "welcome home," or use their off time at USO centers, or whatever fits with supporting service members. But keep the screening time to screening and find those **** bomb components.
TSA needs to get its employees up to speed on policy and assist everyone who requires/asks for assistance. That's everyone - from injured service members, to wounded vets, to individuals with congenital conditions, to individuals with any type of mobility assistive device (even little old ladies in wheelchairs). I'm really tired of seeing old people struggling to get their shoes off and on with no chairs anywhere remotely near the WTMDs - just swab them if they don't alarm!
TSA is responsible for the screening area and people entering it who have not been screened . . . they are not responsible for people transiting this area from airside. Let the airlines provide the physical assistance/escort individuals (service member or civilian) need . . . let TSAers offer a well meant "welcome home," or use their off time at USO centers, or whatever fits with supporting service members. But keep the screening time to screening and find those **** bomb components.
Oct 18, 2007 | 10:07 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum, UA 1k, AA EP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 12,319
Let's stop this "wounded vet" crap as an excuse . . . I am one (from a time long ago) and when I pass through TSA I am often subjected to incredible BS in order not to remove my shoes. I see from this board that there are others with injuries that require them to keep their shoes on that they too are subjected to this same stuff.
TSA needs to get its employees up to speed on policy and assist everyone who requires/asks for assistance. That's everyone - from injured service members, to wounded vets, to individuals with congenital conditions, to individuals with any type of mobility assistive device (even little old ladies in wheelchairs). I'm really tired of seeing old people struggling to get their shoes off and on with no chairs anywhere remotely near the WTMDs - just swab them if they don't alarm!
TSA is responsible for the screening area and people entering it who have not been screened . . . they are not responsible for people transiting this area from airside. Let the airlines provide the physical assistance/escort individuals (service member or civilian) need . . . let TSAers offer a well meant "welcome home," or use their off time at USO centers, or whatever fits with supporting service members. But keep the screening time to screening and find those **** bomb components.
TSA needs to get its employees up to speed on policy and assist everyone who requires/asks for assistance. That's everyone - from injured service members, to wounded vets, to individuals with congenital conditions, to individuals with any type of mobility assistive device (even little old ladies in wheelchairs). I'm really tired of seeing old people struggling to get their shoes off and on with no chairs anywhere remotely near the WTMDs - just swab them if they don't alarm!
TSA is responsible for the screening area and people entering it who have not been screened . . . they are not responsible for people transiting this area from airside. Let the airlines provide the physical assistance/escort individuals (service member or civilian) need . . . let TSAers offer a well meant "welcome home," or use their off time at USO centers, or whatever fits with supporting service members. But keep the screening time to screening and find those **** bomb components.
And thank you for your service.
Oct 18, 2007 | 10:43 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,343
To be fair, the partnership between the DoD and TSA was a direct result of official and public angst at the way GIs (both injured and uninjured) were being treated by screeners at checkpoints. The DoD was also pretty torqued at the way the TSA at some airports completely screwed up honor guards for GIs making the final trip home on commercial flights (versus those bodies that arrive home via MILAIR). (No, I don't have time to look up specific references, but they are out there.)
The policy that appears on the TSA website was basically dictated to them from the SECDEF's office. It only applies to assistance getting GIs through checkpoints -- not for in-transit or arrival assistance. The TSA was also forced into the policy of providing gate passes to military family members for the asking.
While I admire TSA employees going the extra mile to provide assistance, I suggest there is a perception problem based on some pretty strong opinions expressed here. If I were a local FSD at an airport where a lot of GIs came & went, here is what I would do:
1. Make sure any employee of mine who volunteered did so on their own time and in civilian clothes and did not advertise that they were TSA employees;
2. Consult with airport managers to issue airside badges to volunteers from the local USO, VFW, American Legion, Retiree Affairs Offices at local military bases. Any screeners who wished to volunteer would be put in the rotation with these other folks. There's very little risk doing this, and it puts volunteerism in the hands of those who do it best.
I can't help but to think that the TSA and DHS are exploiting the good intentions of some of their field employees to push some feel-good press out there. The motivation why TSA HQ agreed to provide this support is 180-out from the motivation of individual employees at airports.
The policy that appears on the TSA website was basically dictated to them from the SECDEF's office. It only applies to assistance getting GIs through checkpoints -- not for in-transit or arrival assistance. The TSA was also forced into the policy of providing gate passes to military family members for the asking.
While I admire TSA employees going the extra mile to provide assistance, I suggest there is a perception problem based on some pretty strong opinions expressed here. If I were a local FSD at an airport where a lot of GIs came & went, here is what I would do:
1. Make sure any employee of mine who volunteered did so on their own time and in civilian clothes and did not advertise that they were TSA employees;
2. Consult with airport managers to issue airside badges to volunteers from the local USO, VFW, American Legion, Retiree Affairs Offices at local military bases. Any screeners who wished to volunteer would be put in the rotation with these other folks. There's very little risk doing this, and it puts volunteerism in the hands of those who do it best.
I can't help but to think that the TSA and DHS are exploiting the good intentions of some of their field employees to push some feel-good press out there. The motivation why TSA HQ agreed to provide this support is 180-out from the motivation of individual employees at airports.
Oct 18, 2007 | 11:01 am
#49
Join Date: May 2002
Location: In the home of the "brave"?
Programs: Whatever will get me out of Y and into C or F!
Posts: 3,748
Well, I'm just kind of dumbfounded at the strong anti-TSA sentiment in here that is so blind that it doesn't see the good in assisting wounded heroes returning from battle. Just amazes me how a gesture of goodwill gets twisted into a waste of taxpayer resources as if performing such acts of kindness equates with using government-paid aircraft for personal trips or using government-paid office equipment for private business interests.
So here's an in-your-face response to you and others who carry this holier-than-thou attitude:
I'm proud that TSA uses its workforce to assist returning wounded military troops. I'm also very glad that there ain't a damn thing you and others can do about it other than whine and moan on some website because I'd hate to think that such a sour attitude could potentially poison a gesture of humanity and goodwill, particularly to a group of people who are caught by circumstance in an unpopular war and who pay a particularly high price, higher than any of you whiners are willing to pay, in the service of their country.
And yes, even if it meant having passengers wait in line a little longer so I could dispatch a TSO to the gate to assist a wounded military veteran, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Flail away.
So here's an in-your-face response to you and others who carry this holier-than-thou attitude:
I'm proud that TSA uses its workforce to assist returning wounded military troops. I'm also very glad that there ain't a damn thing you and others can do about it other than whine and moan on some website because I'd hate to think that such a sour attitude could potentially poison a gesture of humanity and goodwill, particularly to a group of people who are caught by circumstance in an unpopular war and who pay a particularly high price, higher than any of you whiners are willing to pay, in the service of their country.
And yes, even if it meant having passengers wait in line a little longer so I could dispatch a TSO to the gate to assist a wounded military veteran, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Flail away.
Oct 18, 2007 | 11:07 am
#50
Join Date: May 2002
Location: In the home of the "brave"?
Programs: Whatever will get me out of Y and into C or F!
Posts: 3,748
Let's stop this "wounded vet" crap as an excuse . . . I am one (from a time long ago) and when I pass through TSA I am often subjected to incredible BS in order not to remove my shoes. I see from this board that there are others with injuries that require them to keep their shoes on that they too are subjected to this same stuff.
TSA needs to get its employees up to speed on policy and assist everyone who requires/asks for assistance. That's everyone - from injured service members, to wounded vets, to individuals with congenital conditions, to individuals with any type of mobility assistive device (even little old ladies in wheelchairs). I'm really tired of seeing old people struggling to get their shoes off and on with no chairs anywhere remotely near the WTMDs - just swab them if they don't alarm!
TSA is responsible for the screening area and people entering it who have not been screened . . . they are not responsible for people transiting this area from airside. Let the airlines provide the physical assistance/escort individuals (service member or civilian) need . . . let TSAers offer a well meant "welcome home," or use their off time at USO centers, or whatever fits with supporting service members. But keep the screening time to screening and find those **** bomb components.
TSA needs to get its employees up to speed on policy and assist everyone who requires/asks for assistance. That's everyone - from injured service members, to wounded vets, to individuals with congenital conditions, to individuals with any type of mobility assistive device (even little old ladies in wheelchairs). I'm really tired of seeing old people struggling to get their shoes off and on with no chairs anywhere remotely near the WTMDs - just swab them if they don't alarm!
TSA is responsible for the screening area and people entering it who have not been screened . . . they are not responsible for people transiting this area from airside. Let the airlines provide the physical assistance/escort individuals (service member or civilian) need . . . let TSAers offer a well meant "welcome home," or use their off time at USO centers, or whatever fits with supporting service members. But keep the screening time to screening and find those **** bomb components.
Oct 18, 2007 | 10:31 pm
#51
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,966
I don't get calling these guys heroes. They participated in the illegal invasion of a country, plunging it into civil war, resulting in thousands of innocent civilian deaths. Or, does the term "hero" apply to soldiers anywhere in the world regardless of the cause for which they are fighting?
Having stated my objection to the term "hero", I have no objections to wounded returning soldiers getting some extra help from the TSA or any other governmental agency. These guys are tragic victims of the Bush Administration, and deserve all the help they can get. Giving them an escort is the least the government can do.
Having stated my objection to the term "hero", I have no objections to wounded returning soldiers getting some extra help from the TSA or any other governmental agency. These guys are tragic victims of the Bush Administration, and deserve all the help they can get. Giving them an escort is the least the government can do.
"ilk," eh? Well, cupcake, then I'm a proud little ilk.
Not that I give a flying crap about what you think, but I am truly humbled whenever I meet one of these troops.
And, yes, there is something special about having been there, done that. I can't put it into words nor explain it to someone who has never experienced it. If it comes across as elitist, so be it; never intended to pound on your fragile little ego. It's a very exclusive club with very expensive membership dues. Believe it or not, I'm glad you have no idea what I'm talking about because I wouldn't wish it on anyone else.
To the brave and the bold: RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
Not that I give a flying crap about what you think, but I am truly humbled whenever I meet one of these troops.
And, yes, there is something special about having been there, done that. I can't put it into words nor explain it to someone who has never experienced it. If it comes across as elitist, so be it; never intended to pound on your fragile little ego. It's a very exclusive club with very expensive membership dues. Believe it or not, I'm glad you have no idea what I'm talking about because I wouldn't wish it on anyone else.
To the brave and the bold: RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
Oct 18, 2007 | 10:47 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum, UA 1k, AA EP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 12,319
I don't get calling these guys heroes. They participated in the illegal invasion of a country, plunging it into civil war, resulting in thousands of innocent civilian deaths. Or, does the term "hero" apply to soldiers anywhere in the world regardless of the cause for which they are fighting?
Having stated my objection to the term "hero", I have no objections to wounded returning soldiers getting some extra help from the TSA or any other governmental agency. These guys are tragic victims of the Bush Administration, and deserve all the help they can get. Giving them an escort is the least the government can do.
Having stated my objection to the term "hero", I have no objections to wounded returning soldiers getting some extra help from the TSA or any other governmental agency. These guys are tragic victims of the Bush Administration, and deserve all the help they can get. Giving them an escort is the least the government can do.
Your colored perception of the Iraq war has blinded you towards the sacrifices made by our boys and girls.
That is sad indeed.
Moreover, your one-sided opinion of the Iraq war is completely wrong. While it is costly to have invaded Iraq, Saddam was no arch angel. He mass murdered millions of people during his reign, and the Iraq war at least put this monster to bed.
It is sad how people forget the suffering of others while condemning those who fought bravely to remove a dictator.
Oct 19, 2007 | 1:57 am
#53
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: PDX
Programs: TSA Refusenik charter member
Posts: 16,127
This thread is not about the situation in Iraq. Please feel free to comment on the topic of TSA greeting returning soldiers, however. Thank you.
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essxjay
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essxjay
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