Comments on: TSA screeners still fail to find guns, bombs

By: J.R.

J.R. — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:02:48 +0000

I also worked for TSA for many years and I can say that Michael’s last comment is SO TRUE! And not only for Orlando Int. Airport!!

Screeners are the most underpaid and overworked employees that DHS has. At most airports TSA Management (right up to the Federal Screening Director) are generally incompetent and could care less about Screeners needs. But are very prompt to take negative disciplinary action for any stupidity. Working like that leaves you with hundreds of overworked employees with low morale working in a FAR FROM MODEL workplace.

Screeners are trained to do security WITH customer service. What stupid combination is that?? It is very hard (ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE) to be completely thorough (as everybody wants) AND make every passenger happy. Let’s completely eliminate carry-ons altogether. That wouldn’t make many people happy… so that’s a no-no. It’s a catch 22!

Then, to make things worse, add the Passenger Factor! Do you know how long it takes when EVERY passenger want to give their opinion about what cremes they think should be allowed to take… how stupid they believe the procedure is… how slow the line is… bla bla bla. On a personal level, most of the Screeners agree with the stupidity of some regulations and on how many procedures aren’t able to completely complete the mission. But it’s our job… however stupid some regulations were created or not. So, are Screeners to blame? I don’t think so.

And, to those who often make remarks about Screeners being ignorant and brainless. It’s been nearly 4 years since the liquid ban, and more than half of the passengers I generally encountered complained about how they “didn’t know about the procedures” or how they think they should be allowed to keep their over-sized toiletries, because the last airport didn’t see them when they got screened. Passengers don’t act as the brightest people on the Earth either. Maybe passenger should be given less options, since they also have the oportunity to inform themselves before flying and still choose to break the regulations AND also complain about it!

But if you eliminate altogether the possibility of taking carry-ons on the plane, they will also complain! It’s a no win it passengers don’t do their part as well.

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 05:30:20 +0000

As a former TSA (Screener) at Orlando International Airport, I can concur with the majority of complaints listed by travelers. After several years of being subjected to the utter stupidity of TSA management, I finally decided to quit the ‘agency’. Travelers must understand, the screeners are subjected to ridiculous directives which constantly change from day to day. The managers and supervisors don’t even read the standard TSA security operating procedures which the screeners and passengers are subjected to. The screeners consider the majority of its management to be nothing more than ‘keystone cops’. Many of these individuals should not have been promoted to their positions in the first place. Screeners 15 minute breaks and 30 minute (unpaid) lunch periods were constantly being suspendend and/or cancelled by our inept management. How well could you perform your job under those conditions? Each checkpoint lane was understaffed by at least 3 to 4 screeners. This was the fault of TSA Management who could care less about the screeners plight or the inconvenience imposed upon the flying public. The (screeners) are the hardest working members of homeland security the majority of which are genuinely concerned about doing a good job despite the incompetence and indifference imposed by its management. TSA is the only agency in the Department of Homeland Security which is not allowed to be represented by a workers union. Any guesses why? TSA management abuses against screeners go unchecked. This is the main reason for TSA’s high attrition rate. The next time you are standing in that long line or you are being patted down ask the screener two questions: 1. How do you like your job? and 2. What do you think of your management? The answers might surprise you.

By: DreFilm

DreFilm — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:39:41 +0000

I first read about this on GlobalGrind.com and it scared me. This is nuts. I can’t bring a lighter on the plane but bombs are getting through?

By: TSA seizes water, lets bombs through - Homeland Stupidity

TSA seizes water, lets bombs through - Homeland Stupidity — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:39:23 +0000

[...] smuggled through checkpoints. And tests at Newark Liberty International Airport last year found pretty much the same thing. As did a classified Government Accountability Office investigation of 21 airports a year [...]

By: Kristi

Kristi — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:49:13 +0000

Well, after 1 year of the TSA not allowing liquids, lotions, gels & creams larger than 3 ounces through the checkpoint, a large number of passengers still think they can through the checkpoint with it. Where have they been the last year?? Have they had their head in hole the last year?? They are the ones who hold up the lines for everyone else!! I say we completely ban carry ons………people bring such idiotic stuff with them on the airplane anyways and they usually bring big suitcases with them because they are just too lazy to check it in!! Helen, that is a horrible experience at Newark! TSA should have offered you a chair!! At our airport we have some chairs right before you walk through the metal detector for taking off shoes, etc. If it was that difficult for you to take your shoes off they should have let you keep them on and they could have tested them right after you went through the walk thru detector.

By: TSA misses liquid explosives, weapons in tests - Homeland Stupidity

TSA misses liquid explosives, weapons in tests - Homeland Stupidity — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 08:42:37 +0000

[...] Red Team tests at Newark Liberty International Airport a few months ago found pretty much the same thing. As did a classified Government Accountability Office investigation of 21 airports a year ago. [...]

By: Helen Ringler

Helen Ringler — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 21:00:58 +0000

I just encountered one of the dumbest and laziest TSA supervisors at Newark airport. I am a senior who must wear high top sneakers for a foot problem. I requested a chair so I could remove my sneakers for screening. Not only did this moron refuse to provide one but he informed me that if I could not remove my sneakers without a chair, he would not allow me to pass through the screening point. My 71 year old husband had no choice but to sit on the floor and help me remove them.

When I wrote to the TSA, they e-mailed me some gibberish about the need to screen people’s shoes. They also told me that there were procedures in place to aid the handicapped. It’s a pity someone promoted this particular supervisor to his job without informing him of this.

By: BLOGical Thoughts » Wednesday, 1 November, 2006

BLOGical Thoughts » Wednesday, 1 November, 2006 — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 03:44:14 +0000

[...] TSA screeners still fail to find guns, bombs [...]

By: The TSA Follies - Homeland Stupidity

The TSA Follies - Homeland Stupidity — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:52:15 +0000

[...] Last week the Newark, N.J., Star-Ledger revealed that tests at Newark Liberty International Airport showed that TSA screeners missed 20 of 22 test items, including guns and bomb-making components, in a “Red Team” test of security. Instead of improving security, however, TSA officials have concerned themselves with finding out who leaked the information to the press. A TSA spokeswoman said that the leak “could compromise the integrity of the screening process and offer the terrorists an undue advantage.” As if the screening process weren’t already compromised and the terrorists didn’t already have an undue advantage. Stop pretending the security problems don’t exist! [...]

By: Mike D

Mike D — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:54:45 +0000

“they have FAMs undercover on the planes, these guys should be the uniform version, instead they receive a few hours of training equivalent to that of a security guard, this is what happens when you cut corners.”

Here that? Its the tiny amount of credibility you had, running out the door!