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Confessions of a TSA Agent
I hated it from the beginning. It was a job that had me patting down the crotches of children, the elderly and even infants as part of the post-9/11 airport security show. Once, in 2008, I had to confiscate a bottle of alcohol from a group of Marines coming home from Afghanistan. It was celebration champagne intended for one of the men in the group—a young, decorated soldier. He was in a wheelchair, both legs lost to an I.E.D., and it fell to me to tell this kid who would never walk again that… (www.politico.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
THIS IS A FIVE YEAR OLD ARTICLE
I was once flying home from Pittsburgh with a coworker and he was singled out by TSA for a bag check. I had already passed through at stood watching while the agent went through his carry on. She’s moving stuff around and then she says, “Oooh, this is scary.”
A more senior agent comes out and takes a look, then throws a suspicious glance at my coworker and says, “Is this yours, sir?”
My coworker says, “What?”
The TSA dude lifts up a large tube of toothpaste and says, “This is contraband. You can’t take this aboard an aircraft.”
Naturally, my guy says, “I brought that from gone and it wasn’t a problem at LaGuardia. May I ask why it’s a problem now?”
TSA guy: “I don’t know how they do things at LaGuardia, but here in Pittsburgh we’re really good at our jobs.”
My coworker says, “Slow down, pal. You’re confiscating my toothpaste.”
TSA guy grimaces and, in the most angry display of impotence I’ve ever seen from a Fed, throws the toothpaste into a garbage can and authoritatively tells my coworker to “Have a nice flight... SIR.”
It was fun to watch.
A more senior agent comes out and takes a look, then throws a suspicious glance at my coworker and says, “Is this yours, sir?”
My coworker says, “What?”
The TSA dude lifts up a large tube of toothpaste and says, “This is contraband. You can’t take this aboard an aircraft.”
Naturally, my guy says, “I brought that from gone and it wasn’t a problem at LaGuardia. May I ask why it’s a problem now?”
TSA guy: “I don’t know how they do things at LaGuardia, but here in Pittsburgh we’re really good at our jobs.”
My coworker says, “Slow down, pal. You’re confiscating my toothpaste.”
TSA guy grimaces and, in the most angry display of impotence I’ve ever seen from a Fed, throws the toothpaste into a garbage can and authoritatively tells my coworker to “Have a nice flight... SIR.”
It was fun to watch.
i willl believe in the TSA if and when the israeli version of the tsa takes over american airline security, then and only then will i dare to feel safe flying. what a clownshow the tsa puts on each day, and how much irritation they give out to american passengers. without providing security or safety confidence.....
This is a bit late but just saw this page. I'm always impressed with the comments by folks that find it a horror that elderly and infants are sometimes closely inspected by TSA. What better way, short of working on the inside, of smuggling explosives onto an air carrier. Terrorists love our cavalier attitudes. Why not ask yourselves, would you rather see the inside of a fireball at 35,000 feel..or accept a little inconvenience before boarding? There are always better ways to enhance security but security comes first, not convenience. Regarding the suggestions for wearing slip-ons, flip flops or sandals, have you ever participated in an emergency evacuation after a survivable crash landing or the ensuing push to get off the airplane? Where the surface beneath the aircraft covered with metal shards and/or volatile fluids? The chances of such foor wear remaining on your feet after such an event are minimal. Take a moment and consider making your way through such a mess barefoot.
Late reply but just read this. Of course there's always a better way to do things. But still, the cavalier comments of some, e.g., regards searching of elderly and infants...what better vehicle for smuggling explosives onto an aircraft than in an elderly person or infants clothing. What would annoy those objecting more...seeing the interior of a fireball at 35,000 feet, or having someone searched at the gate? As for slip-ons, flip flops, etc...have you ever had to evacuate an aircraft in an emergency? With metal shards and/or volatile fluids on the ground? Do you think your flip flops will remain on after the experience of a survivable crash landing and the rush to an exit? Think about it.
The TSA officially shot back “many of the TSA procedures and policies referenced in this article are no longer in place or are characterized inaccurately”
Methinks the TSA should read Pinocchio and release a truthful statement.
Methinks the TSA should read Pinocchio and release a truthful statement.