"Zero Tolerance," TSA-Style
Christopher Elliott blogs at the HuffPo about all the TSA workers stealing stuff from passengers and their luggage. Back in 2008, when he started reporting on the TSA's little crime epidemic, the agency proclaimed that it had "zero tolerance" for the thieves' actions. As Elliott puts it:
I think actions speak louder than words.Just a few days ago, a screener at LaGuardia Airport was arrested for allegedly swiping a pricey laptop from a college student at a screening area. TSA employee Edwin Rosario, 27, was charged with grand larceny and possession of stolen property for taking a $1,300 computer a passenger had left behind.
A few weeks before, the TSA was accused of taking money out of a Florida couple's luggage. No arrests have been made yet, and the agency refuses to release security camera footage that could implicate the thief because of "security" concerns. The agency also told the passengers that its screeners "never steal."
...Last month, another TSA worker in Memphis was arrested and charged with theft. Police say Ricky German, 48, tried to swipe a laptop that had been left at his screening station. Surveillance video showed German carrying away the laptop and throwing away papers with the owner's name on it. After police arrived and said they would view the surveillance video, German then claimed he "found" the laptop.
A few weeks earlier, a TSA agent lost his job and is faced grand theft charges for allegedly pocketing a $450 pen owned by Rick Case, a prominent South Florida car dealership owner. Investigators say Toussain Puddie, 30, admitted to taking Case's pen after it was left behind during a checkpoint screening at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
"Finders keepers doesn't apply when you are a public servant and have the public's trust," a Sheriff Department spokesman said.
It's easy to see how agents like Puddie might think otherwise. After all, Congress allows the TSA to keep the pocket change air travelers leave behind -- why not their pens or laptop computers?
...Why do the very people who are supposed to be protecting us also steal from us with such frequency? They do it because they can. They do it because, despite what their mouthpieces tell us on the evening news, they know they'll probably get away with it.
We hear "zero tolerance." But the TSA workforce hears "zero accountability."
Oh, happy day! I've been sharing stories with you for a while, and finally, I gave you something blogworthy! I haven't done that since that horrible woman who was more worried about her food stamp card than her two nephews that were left alone in a burning house.
Patrick at January 23, 2012 1:42 PM
What is it with the Miami airport?
I R A Darth Aggie at January 23, 2012 1:48 PM
Who the f**k buys a $450 pen? I think I'm jealous. I love pens. And office supplies. It's an illness, really.
Meloni at January 23, 2012 2:11 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/01/23/zero_tolerance_1.html#comment-2929622">comment from MeloniWho the f**k buys a $450 pen?
People with private jets to fly them across the country in, you'd think.
Amy Alkon
at January 23, 2012 3:00 PM
>> Who the f**k buys a $450 pen?
I was given a gold tipped Mont Blanc fountain pen when I graduated college, which if I remember was over $500 back then. It came with a crystal inkwell that dated back to the 1700's that was even more. It was a Gordon Gecko type thing to have, and seemed reasonable at the time. I still have them, probably actually used it maybe 5 times. Goddamn thing leaked all over if you put it in your pocket.
Anonymous at January 23, 2012 4:19 PM
The TSA check points and the TSA attitude are occasionally showing up at train stations and government offices. They are slowly becoming a civilian security force “just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as our military.
Storm Saxon's Gall Bladder at January 23, 2012 6:58 PM
Many moons ago I worked as a security guard for <Name Redacted>. Let's put it this way the big sister company was an armored car company. The majority (about 70%) of the co-workers were okay guys. The rest, I was glad we weren't allowed to carry guns.
The other thing is that security guards do not have the right to arrest you. Technically, we couldn't even touch someone without it being considered "assualt". What's the difference between the TSA and a private security company? That is an honest question.
Jim P. at January 23, 2012 8:39 PM
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