A Proud TSA Security Guy Has Something To Say
Sure, the TSA catches people -- all those Senatorial shoe bombers like Ted Kennedy who can't get their names off the no-fly list.
Well, Kennedy probably had one of his staffers go to the top to get it done. But, if you want to experience real security (as opposed to toy security) get on a plane in The Netherlands, or get on a plane bound for Israel. There, the security people have their jobs for good reason -- and not because McDonald's wasn't hiring that week.
I mean, I understand the impulse to be all "yeah, team!" -- no matter what team you're on. But what we have is not security, but the appearance of security, and the TSA people looking through your undies and screaming at you to take out your laptop are merely the clowns running the circus.
Here's the comment left by some apparent TSA guy on my post, The Devolution Of Security -- a post which quoted the TSA's motto on their blog, "Terrorists evolve. Threats evolve. Security must stay ahead. You play a part."
Uh, yeah. You keep working to stay ahead, TSA dude; I'll keep taking off my socks and dumping my lipgloss in a ziplock baggie and pretending I'm helping you save the world:
To whomever travels.....I work for the TSA in a Law Enforcement role. I have to commend the Men and Women of the TSA for all the hard work they have to do on a day and out basis. They are just regular folk like you and me trying to provide a sevice fo all to travel.
I once was a TSO when I first started with DHS, and what they do is not random. For the most part these " Random Screenings" are implemented by the Airline and not the TSA. So to say that they don't know what they are doing seems silly to even think. They have done a great job for all of us by "Protecting and Serving" their Country.
If you have such a problem with Taking off your shoes, removing your jacket, or putting out all your liquids in a baggey....Then DON'T FLY!~!
Or better yet.... They can just have people not get screened...put you all on that same plane... and "Pray to God" that someone doesn't have an I.E.D.
THINK ABOUT IT......
Even if some might be "working hard," what they're doing is hardly working, if you read the accounts of all the test bombs they let through. But, hey, they got that pie your granny made you. An incendiary apple and brown sugar device if I've ever seen one!
If somebody really wants to blow something up, they can get the explosives onto the plane in myriad ways. If Bin Laden is still alive, he must get a good laugh at how all the Americans are wasting hours of their lives standing in line with their socks on to get on airplanes.
You want anything coming near real security, stop letting illegals through the Mexican border, have actual security at our ports, and hire Bruce Schneier.
Oui Re: Schneier.
Do you have the feeling that people who command you to "think about it!" in as many words aren't in the habit of persuading people very much?
Also, "regular folks trying to do their jobs" elicits zero patience from me. Zero admiration; zero anything. I mean, why exactly is that something to admire? Maybe I'm a regular person, but you can believe this about me: I won't rip through your wife's bag of underwear and toiletries and feel around in her blouse with an electronic probe and command you to spread your feet etc in front of hundreds of strangers.
Listen, the TSA is worse than incompetent. The "security" they afford is an illusion, one we pay for with tax dollars and time. The TSA is immoral .
Crid at February 16, 2008 2:19 AM
I'm totally with you there.
And on "think about it," and "regular folks trying to do their jobs."
Amy Alkon at February 16, 2008 2:28 AM
What a fool. It's thinking about it that shows me what efforts are pointless. TSA guy, mere labor doesn't convey nobility on anyone. And I actually have a higher security clearance than you do. But you can relax; I'm taking your advice and not flying. The airline is now suffering a little bit more because of your bosses' buffoonery.
I would detail five or six ways to show everyone how your job is irrelevant, but I don't want to be bothered because I can think.
Radwaste at February 16, 2008 3:43 AM
Think about all of the people that you know who loudly proclaim that "they're working hard". What do they all have in common? The overwhelming lack of results. First, if you have to tell me that "you're working hard" then evidence of the hard work is not apparent. Second, if you had any results then you wouldn't have to tell me that "you're working hard". Third, I don't pay for "effort", I pay for "results". Fourth, oops, I forgot that the TSA employees are Government Employees. So, yeah, "hard work" is the best that can be expected.
Curly Smith at February 16, 2008 8:02 AM
Rad, Amy, Crid, Curly: Words.
TSA: Protecting you today from the half-baked plots we missed yesterday
justin case at February 16, 2008 10:21 AM
There is only one reason why we have a Homeland Security department and a TSA: We insist on allowing immigration from Muslim countries, and insist on allowing visas to male muslims from muslim countries.
Less than 1% of our population is the threat, and for that, we all pay hundreds of $$ more per year in taxes and dozens of $$ more per flight. All so we can feel "tolerant" and "multi-cultural".
We (as in the liberals, RINOs and cowards in power and who run the parties) are too stupid to survive.
Smarty at February 16, 2008 3:00 PM
It isn't just the boys we need to worry about:
http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/02/11/656670.aspx
And I'm guessing they're trying to recruit people who look like me.
Amy Alkon at February 16, 2008 4:29 PM
Anyone with half a brain, 50 bucks, and who spent 20 minuets paying attention to the magnisuim strip lesson durring 9th grade chemistry knows how to cause a plane crash with a one quart bag filled with 4 ounce bottles.
What is the TSA doing about the guy in long term parking with a rocket propelled grendade launcher?
Or the guy who coats his jacket in anthrax so every one in the security line is contaminated when he swirl it thru the air to place it on the belt for the Xray machine?
Here is a much easier question - Why is the door that leads to the tarmac directly off the boarding ramp NEVER LOCKED??? You know the one - the one with big bold lettering "hearing protection required" "authorised personel only" Why is that NEVER locked?
You could blow up an airplane with nothing more than a match is you had a 30 second head start and they happened to be refueling
lujlp at February 17, 2008 2:27 PM
Exactly right.
Funny how the guy hasn't been back to debate any of us, huh?
Amy Alkon at February 17, 2008 4:07 PM
Anyone at the TSA ever hear of obsidian?
Volcanic glass used by neo-lithic and paleolithic hunters, it is sharper than surgical steel, and doesnt step off metal detectors. Neither do the ceramic knives you see on cooking shows these days
By the way do you know the dammage you could do with a pressurised oxegyn tank, a wheelchair battery, and the right chemicals in a 1 quart bag Mr TSA
lujlp at February 17, 2008 7:29 PM
SHHH! lujlp, you'll give the terrorists ideas
DuWayne at February 18, 2008 11:05 PM
Just what the hell does "regular guy" mean anyway when you think about it? We're so vastly diverse, right? Of course, I get the impression that he means regular loser working the one decent job they could get. (And, I'm a civil servant saying that.)
And working hard? I have to agree if you have to explain what you're working hard at, it is not immediately evident.
Loved the way, he can't even laugh at himself and admit on an anonymous blog posting that what he's doing is pointless.
DuWayne, I saw your post on the other thread and, trust me, I'm a big coward. Having kids teaches you the meaning of the word fear. When you have kids depending on you, you will not take risks you might otherwise. I hear you on that. I wasn't even meaning anything that extreme. I mean things like boycotting (and I realize not everyone can boycott planes these days) and writing complaints and arguing with the TSO's under the point it will get you arrested or turned off the plane (if you really have to get on it).
Now that last, I concede I haven't tried to fly and I can't really judge if there is any ability to do even minimal arguing. The news sure isn't saying what happens to people who argue or complain annoyingly. Has anyone had any experiences or witnessed any they care to share? I'm truly curious. Not that I plan on making a statement any time soon.
Donna at February 19, 2008 9:49 AM
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