TSA Experiences

[SelfMadeMan]

We travel somewhat frequently, and I'm happy to report that I've never had a negative experience with TSA. I know some people have, and it sucks, but I would advise anyone traveling to not go into it thinking negatively, and not to assume all TSA agents are assholes.

[Andrea]

South Park's take on the TSA.

[Andrea]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303863404577281483630937016.html

A comment as posted on FlyerTalk:
The article includes this lovely quote from the Dear Administrator:

"We can reduce the size of the haystack when we are looking for that one-in-a-billion terrorist," said TSA Administrator John Pistole.

Now, since there are seven billion people on the earth, there are only seven terrorists on the entire planet.

It seems to me that Pistole is squandering a lot of resources by only looking for those seven people at US airports.



Me: All this for seven terrorists?

[Scorp]

OMMFGGG...THIS IS FRIGGIN' HILARIOUS!!!! I literally was laughing out loud!!! LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by Andrea

South Park's take on the TSA.

[Andrea]

I feel much safer now..../temporarily end sarcasm

[Andrea]

TSA screener busted while in uniform. Now I feel safer?

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/uniformed_tsa_screener_busted_in_RuJhwOv5tdqOWIgao 5GMkI

[Andrea]

No comment except ICK!

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/crime_checker/baltimore_county_crime/former-tsa-agent-from-baltimore-county-indicted-on-federal-porn-charges#ixzz1pVwGQjPk

[ruffryder]

Originally Posted by Andrea

I feel much safer now..../temporarily end sarcasm

This video is going viral. Also others that include people with disabilities, using canes and the elderly. I'm sure these TSA agents are just doing their job how they are supposed to no matter who the traveler is. It is unfortunate however when this happens to these individuals especially.

In Orlando, travelers now older than 75 will be able to keep their shoes and light jackets on and avoid pat downs.

What do you all think? Do we still need pat downs and who warrants them?
How is it determined who could be a threat?

Again, working in security I have seen some people fly through the line while others may get a second look, a wand, or a pat down. Knowing this I like to treat everyone the same. If you let one person through with their child's meds and bottle filled with liquid you have to do it for all. . just my thought.

I also heard some airports may start to look at private security companies to do security instead of TSA..

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by ruffryder

snip...

What do you all think? Do we still need pat downs and who warrants them?
How is it determined who could be a threat?

/snip

I don't feel pat downs are warranted. I am unaware of any terrorists discovered by TSA in the ten years using any of their security features.

One could say the pat downs are a deterrent to terrorists, but if deterrents worked we wouldn't have jails full of murderers, rapist, abusers, drug users and pushers, drunk drivers, etc.

Planes are now equipped with reinforced doors to the cockpit to prevent unauthorized entry and passengers have shown they will not allow anyone to disrupt flights.

All of this fear over something that will probably never happen again. Let's put our resources into places that can really help. Let's feed the hungry with the billions of dollars spent on TSA. Or supplement tuition for those in college. Or help people that are losing their homes in this economy.

/end of rant

[Andrea]

Is this a TSA success story? I don't think so. It appears the man had no intention of using the firearms for anything nefarious or he would have 1) gone off (pulled his gun) in the airport or 2) attempted to hide the firearms.

Also note, according to other articles, the pat down where his holstered gun was found, was not required until the firearms were discovered in his carry on. Does this mean the gun he carried on his person wasn't found in the backscatter screening? The walk through metal detector would have beeped for a gun.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/03/23/20120323phoenix-passenger-guns-found-sacramento-airport.html