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FBI anti-terrorism expert: TSA is useless

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The report goes on to state that the virtual strip search screening machines are a failure in that they cannot detect the type of explosives used by the “underwear bomber” or even a pistol used as a TSA’s own real-world test of the machines. Yet TSA has spent approximately $60 billion since 2002 and now has over 65,000 employees, more than the Department of State, more than the Department of Energy, more than the Department of Labor, more than the Department of Education, more than the… (boingboing.net) More...

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rick737
richard weiss 21
The TSA is a federal jobs program. They take money from ticket fares, with a promise of security, pay inept drones more than they are worth, and grope us in areas that would constitute rape in every state in the union. For their criminal behavior, the employees of the TSA are paid far more than they are worth, given union protections and government retirement plans. Quite a wealth transfer system. We get raped in more ways than one.
mpradel
Marcus Pradel 7
and the best part: it was created by a Republican!
cabuguas1
GEOFFREY CUKRO 3
Amen Marcus!!! hahahahha
rick737
richard weiss 4
IT'S BUSH'S FAULT. The Kool Ade drinkers have spoken
phumflyer
phumflyer 3
Last I checked, it's always Bush's fault...
even if truly isn't.
lacholan
C S 1
correct
flyingfish182
Jim Fisher 1
But, they are all his fault!
MrTommy
MrTommy 0
It will most likel be Bush's fault for the next 4½ years...
lacholan
C S 1
Then it either obama or the next in line
rick737
richard weiss 4
I'll bet "w" would like a muligan.
yogib37
You only get on Muligan, with all his screw ups, he is out of them long ago
sylkman
sylkman 4
and grown into a mess with a democrat... why is everything a political issue these days?
MrTommy
MrTommy 4
Because everything IS political these days, beginning with the "political correctness" that is ruining our once great country.
devsfan
ken young 2
Because there are so many retards who look at everything for potential political advantage. These are also the same people who read poll results and believe them as though those results were Gospel.
corgiflyer
Dr. Gregory Dahl -1
Created at the urging of almost every member of Congress especially the Democrats who wanted more votes from the great unwashed. A useless program just like the immigration policies.
nedlitam
Kerry Ahearn 2
There must be a think tank somewhere that would richard weiss and PLANEMAN4096 to develop these super-intelligent, upper-stratum, data-based, sophisticated ideologies.
lacholan
C S 2
Come on- we have not had an attack in 11 years-give it a rest. They do more than,"rape"you. Not to mention, they don't touch you unless they have a reason. What do you carry to the airport? Because I travel weeks and weeks every year and never get"raped".
rick737
richard weiss 2
Well CS, consider yourself the lucky one. On more passes through security that I can remember, I've had my junk rubbed. If that were to happen on the streets of any town in any state in America, that would constitute sexual assault. The only profile I fit was traveling on a one way,standby ticket. There's a big problem with 60+ airline retirees causing ruckesses, so I must the profile of a dangerous thug.
devsfan
ken young 1
no thanks to the TSA.....
sylkman
sylkman -1
I agree, I travel through an airport at least twice a week somewhere. The worst thing that has happened to me over the last 6 years is I have been asked to have my fingers swabbed to see if I had residue and I had to open my bag once because of a random check. If anyone doesn't feel a little safer because they are scanning people, then maybe you don't fly enough to grasp the feeling. They could be a lot worse, and maybe their bedside manner isn't at times great, but let them do their jobs. I feel better that they are there, and if they make a terrorist think twice about trying to board with malicious intent, then maybe thats what they do best.
htthree
Harry Thomas 3
Well, Dave, that's just the thing. There are a multitiude of ways for a terrorist, or any other person with malicious intent, to board a plane. The only thing the TSA would make that person think twice about is which weakness to exploit.
JetMech24
JetMech24 0
Example?
rick737
richard weiss 1
It doesn't take a lot of imagination to see the holes in airport security. For anyone to write down numerous examples would be irresponsible.
kc6pob
kevin asato 1
I passed through the metal detector last week cleanly. Then the bells and whistles (OK, a buzzer and RED indicator and the metal detector frame) turned on and I was subject to random screening. At that point, all they were interested in at that point was my laptop. How safe is that?
lacholan
C S 0
Agreed
dmaccarter
dmaccarter 9
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."

-H. L. Mencken
sancollins
sancollins 6
Indeed, citizen harrassment is what its come down to, and its laughable for anyone to think we are any safer today...paranoia is good for somebody's business. I should have invested in that ;)
flyingfish182
Jim Fisher 1
Good for business is correct. Greedy corporate business. Think of all the money corporations make off of and supplying servicing the TSA.
MrTommy
MrTommy 2
That's just good Capitalism. Find a need and fill it. It's good business. Unfortunately, in terms of citizen safety, it's a load of crap. I don't look down on anyone for making a buck. I look down on the government for PAYING those bucks!
kudzubob
kudzubob 5
We need to figure out someway for all the TSA monies to go to the FAA to fund NextGen and forget all the user fees.....
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 8
It's just hard for me to believe that the threat to aviation is all that significant anymore; with the advent of sealed cockpits, a larger air marshal program, and passenger and crew awareness. At this point all we are doing is harrassing the citizens.
lacholan
C S 2
Yes, but look at all the attacks on other countries, so look into the world situation.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 0
What does attacks on other countries have to do with TSA? I haven't seen any airplanes anywhere get hijacked that have sealed cockpits. As far as blowing up one, you don't have to be on the plane. Ever hear of a handheld stinger missile? Just walk across the mexican border with it and pick your favorite airport, airline, and bingo! Stingers are way lighter to make that desert walk with than a bundle of maryjane. It really doesn't take anything as sophisticated as a stinger either. A few semi auto rifles and a case 7.62 could reek havoc on the airline industry. And you probably wouldn't even get caught let alone die for the deed.
devsfan
ken young 1
And TSA would prevent this how...?
preacher1
preacher1 1
That's the point, they wouldn't. A prevention effort there would require police or police qualified, pistol carrying, badge carrying, certified cops, which the TSA folks are not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lacholan
C S 1
Except airliners travel at 20,40 thousand feet usually. Stigers are not really made for that.
rick737
richard weiss 1
but they start at airport elevation.
lacholan
C S 1
only in mexico...
lacholan
C S 2
You can't just walk up to the military and say," hey, can i borrow that stiger".
HunterTS4
Toby Sharp 1
have yourself an experiment and get back to us when they let you out in 30 years
lacholan
C S 1
That would be bad...
lacholan
C S 1
Sorry-STINGER
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
They start and end at ground level. Well within range of a stinger and even 7.62. There are arms dealers world wide that will sell you anything for a price. Some of them are even from America. No, the military won't sell them and to ask would get you arrested.
ewrjax
ewrjax 2
Don't get me started on the air marshall program...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/air-marshals-wild-tales-sexism-suicide-bigotry/story?id=15532865
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
I'm not necessarily defending it, just saying how many programs do we need just in one industry to address a perceived threat? I'm also not knocking the specific people of TSA, they just needed a job. Perhaps the persons doing the hiring have a little skin in this game. There are plenty of blooming' idiots working in any industry---including the airline industry.
zennermd
zennermd 3
Keep the X-ray scanners for bags, and replace the TSA with national guard troops and M-16's.
rick737
richard weiss 4
An experience I had with the TSA, not long after they took over has come to mine. At the time, the National Guard had stationed soldiers, with M-16's in the airports. One day I actually saw a soldier, with his weapon going through security. The soldier was ordered to place his M-16 on the belt for screening. Go ahead, read that last sentence again. When we got to the other side of security(term loosely used)I asked him if he was required to always put his weopon on the belt. He told me he had been on this assignment over two weeks and had to put weapon on the belt everytime he passed through. I can almost hear the TSA drones. "yep, that's a gun, alright. wadda we do? I dunno, should we stop him? I dunno, either. What's the boss say? He dunno either. Guess we gotta lett'em go. reckin so." We certainly got our money's worth that day.
zennermd
zennermd 1
You never know. He could have a gun hidden in the M-16. Thanks for the laugh.

[This poster has been suspended.]

smoki
smoki 7
Try that question on the folks at El Al. Israelis are armed to the teeth with security in and around airports, etc. Terrorism has only one objective: To kill as many as possible as quickly as possible which includes inside a crowded terminal. The Israelis have no machinery like that used by TSA nor do they grope indiscriminately the passengers. Their Shin Bet plain clothes profilers walk among the passengers from the time they arrive at the airport until they board the airplane. When necessary they ask questions the response to which leads them to pursue with more questions if the answer fits a profile. They can probably smell a terrorist literally and figuratively and would be terrorists know it. TSA is a waste of time designed to make people, the great unwashed, feel more secure when in fact it is fantasy. But dumbed down people are made to believe largely by the media that profiling is politically incorrect and unacceptable while government sanctioned statutory rape is just the opposite. Welcome to Ameritopia.
cabuguas1
GEOFFREY CUKRO 4
Actually, i disagree. Terrorism isn't at all about killing. the name says it all. it is about terror, fear.the TSA has to be the greatest point of JOY to terrorists. the United States lives in fear of the THOUGHT of an attack, so, the government has put into place an enormous machine that is incapable of stopping then. in this regard, every terrorist knows they have succeeded, not through any action, but the mere idea of an action. our air system is hampered every single day, the reason Israeli security works is they aren't afraid. they question and screen everybody constantly in their airports. it starts from the second you enter airport space, to the second your flight leaves. because of this, the airport ids far more open, and the passengers aren't harassed, but heaven help you if you bring any form of weapon to the airport.
sparkie624
sparkie624 3
Doh.... Like I needed a news article to tell me this!
RobSJC
I'd bet my $$$, That the Pre 9-11 security, found more items, than what has been found since. For a federal agent, to show his ID and then be told he has to "pass through or surrender a knife" is crazy ... An FBI agent would have had had more of a background check, than any TSA personnel ... Let's have the FBI over see airport security.
timewright
timewright 3
Take the train, I did. Nice people, great food, no baggage fees, no seatbelts, and I actually felt refreshed when I picked up my rental car. Oh yeah, 2 round trip tickets from FTW to MKE for under $500
devsfan
ken young 1
And it took a month to get from FTW to MKE.
xmacfly
ALLEN McLEAN 1
As long as you don't have to be there at any specific time or day it's great. Amtraks schedules are "pencilled in" most of the time. Fresno - Seattle 20 HOURS!! Minn - Chicago 6 hours late!
nickmoss
Nicholas Moss 1
You might be surprised. The TSA has been screening AmTrack stations on a random basis for two years. They are now starting on inter-city bus lines. No joke here.
glgc
mike ronan 3
A couple years back I was told that my shaving cream exceeded the 100 ml limit, so it was taken from me and tossed into a large plastic barrel of of creams and lotions and shampoo that had been "liberated" from the many passengers preceding me.

When through, I happened to ask how they were planning to dispose of all those products.

The security supervisor proudly boasted that they normally donate these items to women's shelters and seniors' homes.

Naturally I then asked him if they should be sending liquids presumed to be explosive, toxic, or misrepresented to unsuspecting hospices and shelters. This was acknowledged with silence, and a sweep of the hand toward the gate area...... meaning: shut up, let's move on here, you are free to go.

Suspicions confirmed. Small wonder that many of us regard airport screening to be mostly "security theatre" Simply an exercise in optics and nothing beyond.
PLANEMAN4096
PLANEMAN4096 5
The problem with airport security in the U.S. is that members of the TSA are in the public service field, which picks from the same stratum of civilians that work as DPS personnel, fry-cooks in fast-food joints, and meter maids. We need a serious, trained task force to combat the terrorist threats to civil aviation AT the airport, not just the brave men and women who go to fight these threats abroad.
preacher1
preacher1 7
Please don't insult the DPS personnel, fry-cooks in fast-food joints, and meter maids.
jimnbubba
James Gibson -2
And don't forget UPS and Fed EX
THRUSTT
THRUSTT 1
Well, I could see the meter-maids, but don't insult the fry-cooks...
lacholan
C S 1
And PS: we do have a task for
lacholan
C S 1
reddog20
Ted Ulrich 5
No surprise. It further reinforces the fact that the only thing the federal government does well is waste money.
Edsair
Edward Hoeger 2
I have been flying commercially for over twenty years. I picked my mom up at PHI airport last night and felt like the rest of the people, like sheep. Today I flew myself to WWD from N14 and felt great because I didn`t have to be treated like a foreigner in my own country.
Edsair
Edward Hoeger 2
We are all Fluked
0244
It is about time someone speaks up. This is utterly the most retarded organization hiring misfits and unemployable. One day this clutchy department will be abolished. I do not mind security but not with the incompent TSA.
6at1
Clive Peterson 2
TSA is nothing more than a dog and pony show for the uninformed public, from the line staff to supervisors they are totally worthless.
awesam
Sam Andrews 2
TSA is a symptom. It is the most visible arm of an unecessary Federal Dept. generated by a group of 545 people who have no direction from the other 311,000,000 people who have chosen them to make decisions that effect there daily life. During the past quarter century, no presidential election has been won by more than ten million ballots cast. Yet every federal election during that time period had at least one hundred million people of voting age who did not bother to vote! SO WHO'S FAULT IS IT REALLY? Any country can survive having chosen a fool as their leader. But, history has shown time and time again that a nation of fools is surely doomed.
n52837
TSA stands for Thousands Standing Around
Big waste of taxpayers money leave airport
Security to the law enforcement airport police
And FBI
BlueLiner
BlueLiner 2
I find the link and reference to the "report" to be somewhat suspect insofar as the details appears to have extracted by the author of the article in the link to "boingboing.net". The "article" also reads more like an opinion column than a direct reference to the "report". It very well may be that a FBI or ex-FBI agent penned the report and may have roasted the TSA in it but without the details of who commissioned the report and dare I say again the entire contents of the report I say that on the surface we have another sensationalistic media story beating that poor old staggering horse. Are there problems with TSA or any other security screening agencies used in other nation’s airports? Yes. Is there waste? Yes. But are they totally impotent? I doubt that. Is there room for improvement? Always.

I think the generalizations espoused in the "article" and the learned posters herein are patently irresponsible. Change "TSA" for "local PD" or "local FD" or "local hospital" even and the same sorts of things are being said. Where do we draw the line? In aviation as pilots, crew, engineers and yes - security we often are faced with less than perfect conditions and we have to strive to make it better on the fly and in the long term, mitigate the risks/hazards now and in the future and solve the problems immediately and tomorrow. I see a lot of posts here identifying problems but no real world solutions... Just saying. It would be interesting to know how many of the "professional problem identifiers" on here work in aviation let alone its ancillary community.

As one poster before me said - and I have very frequently agreed with, "Send 'em all home and let's see how safe it is to fly"
ericheigis
Eric Heigis 2
It doesn't take a former FBI agent to tell that the TSA is useless, but the expert validation is nice. I remember going on a trip and put sunscreen in as a last-minute item to pack (so I threw it in my carry on bag). Well, this was way over their 3 oz liquid tolerance, which created a commotion of lights and beeping from the machine. Long story short, the "dangerous" sunscreen was thrown away and I had to go through security for a second time.
devsfan
ken young 2
From the start I thought of TSA as just another government bureaucracy designed to increase federal employment.
TSA should be blown up, all agents/screeners fired and made to reapply for their jobs.
Only former law enforcement or those with BLET training need apply.
Also, all TSA employees must have at least an Associates degree in criminology or be in school working toward that degree or agree as a pre requisite to employment to attend college to get their degree.
The rules need to be streamlined and simplified.
dmanuel
dmanuel 2
Like the robot on Lost in Space: If in danger or in doubt, run in circles scream and shout. I am always amazed that the ( clueless? ) media trot out the passenger who flies once a decade, who (without one ioda of system capability) states how safe they feel and all the hassle is worthwhile.
yogib37
I have been saying this for so long. It is a joke and a hassle and my job involves a lot of traveling so I have to deal with those bozo's a lot.
RobSJC
... And then why not have our US Military, "who go to fight these threats abroad" .. stay home and operate airport security ? There was once a time in Germany, (not sure about today) the military there did that.
preacher1
preacher1 4
I remember right after 911, military was in the airports. Cut the TSA completly, give the money to the DOD and use the troops coming home from IRAQ.
rick737
richard weiss 0
Unfortunately, there's a "posse comitas" ruling that doesn't allow long term use of the military for law enforcement purposes. That is not to say I disagree with the premis
mpradel
Marcus Pradel 1
not law enforcement, just supervisory security.
cabuguas1
GEOFFREY CUKRO 1
ah, but what if action is then required? now, Posse Comitas can be reviewed and the laws governing it changed by an act of Congress, which i believe would be a good thing.
corgiflyer
This program was created as a knee jerk reaction through the urging of most members of Congress, not just the Republicans. The Democrats saw it as a way to get more votes from the great unwashed who came over from low paying jobs to a pay raise and union protection.
Woodson
0 attacks stopped by the TSA since 9/11. Ron Paul 2012. All I'm saying.
Curator1
Ty Harrington 2
A well-known key to all law enforcement is citizen support, cooperation and involvement and while there is a fundamental need for air-travel diligent security and a staff to do it, to me it is the non-fundamental set up of TSA that is the cause of it's failure. Post 9-11 federalization of airport security made excellent sense at the time. And there are plenty of similar job roles that have been successfully federalized, though rarely of such size. However, somewhere in the process of forming TSA some senior government official, perhaps at the cabin ate level, imbued the TSA with an inflated ego, law-enforcement style uniforms and incredibly badges, without anything like federal police qualifications and training. And in too many daily instances TSA employees are over zealous in the performance of their job roles, acting beyond their authority and way beyond their qualifications and training, so that, no matter how well-meaning they may be, they are way out of their league. The sum total effect is that even the most law abiding and corporative air travelers are hard put to support the conduct of TSA which we ourselves observe in the first person.and the result is that TSA, regardless of the fundamental need for what it tries to do, is ineffective. I say take away their badges for starters and just have proper federal and/or local law enforcement in close proximity. I think that the biggest of issues with TSA, as I read here and sense the widespread frustration, is TSA and it's enablers' attitude, it's like they are ego-driven bullies without sufficient training and qualifications and attitude to command respect -- change their attitude, taking badges away is a great start and signal, and enlist the assistance, eyes and ears, of those most knowledgable and likely to notice deviations from the norm, the frequent flying citizens......and we will all work together for our common safety and security with which we all agree. Don't play games and subject us to ineffective equipment, nor "officers" whose badge is substituted door common sense. Even the best security plan is no substitute for common sense!
rick737
richard weiss 3
When all the chatter has stopped Ty's post will best the summation of everything posted.
Nice job, Ty.
diazr
ricardo diaz 3
Your thinking is straight, as is the article's. Wish we could send them both to a decision making body or at least an ombudsman.
JamesWestberry
Well stated and thought out. Thank you.
preacher1
preacher1 2
It is very well stated but let's don't forget about the Tennesee VIPER program either, taking them out of the airport. If that thing has any sucess, we may very well have a national police force, untrained as Ty say.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 2
They are certainly in expansion mode. Trying the highways in Tn. is just a start. Suppose we duplicate what we do at airports to cruise ships, busses, trains, Disneyworld, etc etc etc. Where does the paranoia end? We certainly do not need to forget 911 ever, but in some ways we need to get past it. There is risk in freedom, but no freedom if we try and mitigate all risk.
theschoolofchuck
If a politician(or group of them) pulls the plug on the TSA and an act of terror occurs, it would spell game over for their political career. The TSA isn't going anywhere. My $0.02
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
More confirmation of what we already knew. When will the governing bodies catch on? Oh, I forgot they don't live in the real world.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
Wayne, in that case I think most of America could find a mutual respect situation far above the existing one with TSA. I just am not convinced of the threat to aviation being what it once was.
preacher1
preacher1 2
I agree with you on the mutual respect situation, but I think that threat thing will be argued til hell freezes over. Some will say as you do, and some will say they are just waiting for us to let our guard down. TSA was a knee jerk reaction that is worthless in what they seek to accomplish. Sad part is as with any job, there are probably some sincere people out there getting an equal dose of ridicule because of the actions of a few. Uncle Sugar needs to look to Israel and their security for a true picture of what's needed.Whether that would totally work in a venue of this size I don't know but there is bound to be something there that will beat what we are doing.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 2
If the object of terrorism is to kill and create a state of panic there are so many more venues that are easier targets than a plane these days. We seem to be focused almost exclusivly on aviation because of 911. I'll bet the terrorists are thinking out of that box. What if they set off a bomb in a Wal-Mart store everyday for a week? How bout a pound of c4 at Disneyworld with all the little kids? Just saying it is impossible to guard everything and insure safety regardless of $ spent. That is the nature of terrorism. The only solution is to kill the terrorists first; an impossibility. We can't even stop school shootings. This is part of the price we pay in a free and open society. Most of us will just continue living life with a totally false sense of security and loving it. Geez what a ramble. I probably shouldn't even put the comment button. Oh well!
wessutton
Wes Sutton 1
It's all designed to create the illusion that you are safe. TSA is a joke, a waste of money and another way to grow government.
KennyFlys
Ken Lane 1
The TSA is useless??? Nawww...

Who woulda thunk it?
xmacfly
ALLEN McLEAN 1
This is news?? Anyone surprised? Will anything change? I didn't think so.
Yankee1
Robert West 1
As for me I say TSA serves a useful purpose. I was checking in at a large airport here on theb leftn side of the states, and saw TSA relieve a potential passenger of a cheese knife. Not the wire kind, the curved kind with the "V" notch in the end. This was the same airport that the metal dectector detected the medical clamps inside of me that hold my innards together. Yeah I feel comfortable with it. Carry on TSA.
TBowron
TBowron 1
I flew out of New Orleans after being at the NBAA regional at Lakefront airport. I was traveling with a coworker, and when I set off the metal detector, he and I were the only ones that seemed to notice or care. It was crazy, and they didn't ask me to re-scan or anything...
JCCasebeer
John Casebeer 1
Ty. You arte a smart guy and right on. If you run I will vote for you for President.
benamarb
B B 1
vive le tsa
Yankee1
Robert West 1
oui ! MON AMI
MikieB
Michael Brose 1
Rather than berate the organization, look to the bureaucrats who want the organization to fail for their own monetary gain. These millionaires want still more money in their pockets at the expense of air safety. The fault is with those who set up the organization to be inept and hopefully have it fail so they can gain financially by hiring their monetarily friendly people.
lacholan
C S 1
But, you may want top keep in mind that our airlines and airports are the safest in the world. Also, you do not need to know the type of gun, or type of explosives, you just need to know they bhave them. I don't see any of you trying to detect weapons on people...
TWA55
TWA55 1
Look, these are deterrents and will prevent the "stupids" of the world, you hope, but there will always be someone who is alittle bit smarter and have access to better resources to pull off a plot. You will never completely avoid acts unless you want to spend billions well beyond current expenditures. To be frank, we live in a society which will not permitt what really needs to happen and as such, the feds have to work around these facts. What TSA does now should be proof of that.
cert1807
Douglas Soo 1
I agree with the article because I remembered when I was ordered to go through the x-ray scan and after going through I was ordered to stripe down to my underwear, when I was wearing only a pair of shorts, sneakers, t-shirt and a light spring jacket. TSA is nothing but a middle class security guards with federal government benefits.
Dataware
Gary Wiggins 1
Pretty much what the entire nation has been saying and complaining about but what the hey! At least the unemployment rate is down a bit even if they are all idiots. They aren't standing in a unemployment or food stamp line.
DemetriusTheCynic
You are, undoubtably, aware of the effects on air travel following attempts by the 'shoe bomber' and the 'underwear bomber'. What will be the pre-screening scenario if the next incident involves attempts by a 'suppository bomber'?
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
Yes Michael these were lame attempts by screwballs. When the well funded and trained want to blow something up it will happen. Everyone seems to be operating under the premise the terrorists have to be on the plane. I really think the big boys have their eyes on something way more significant than a plane. Only the small players are playing that worn out card.
HunterTS4
Toby Sharp 1
TSA= Totally Sucks A$$
lacholan
C S 1
Incompetent
Ambok12345
especially here @ bwi they're all useless.
Blueskytravel
Michael Gates 1
I can't believe the class of people that work for TSA. Wal-Mart wouldn't hire them!
Ambok12345
they're all uneducated.
urbanxplorer90
urbanxplorer90 1
This has not been a secret for those of us in the know for years!
Ambok12345
Goverment are wasting money for them.
JCCasebeer
John Casebeer 1
I agree with hte comments. TSA is a government jobs program and I don't think the government can get anything right.
stol701
stol701 0
Everything the Government does is useless.
DJA984
DJA984 0
Make the speed limits for certain vehicles on certain lanes of certain highways 120 MPH.(Sport sedans and coupes, and NOT high centering vehicles such as SUV's and trucks) Today's vehicles are more than ready for this, and I'd even pay an extra toll to use it. Think of how many more people would drive to the 300 to 500 mile range at that point instead of fly regional? Best part - no need to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to build high speed rail lines. The tolls for the optional fast lane would more than pay for the required changes to highways.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 -4
To me high speed rail is a joke. No way Im getting on a 200 mph train that a terrorist can derail with a very small charge and hundreds of miles of track to do it in.How do you guard that-more TSA every couple hundred feet? Makes getting on a plane seem as safe as getting in your bed.
Wingscrubber
Wingscrubber 2
The ETA rail bombings in Madrid and the 7/7 bombings in London are good examples of what you're talking about, but high speed rail in Europe, Japan and now China is very efficient and successful. In the US this will never happen, except between major city pairs on the coast.
Until then, we keep flying, and the TSA keep getting paid.
WALLACE24
WALLACE24 1
Unlike airplanes, trains can only go where the track leads. When business or population shifts its a problem for them. It is a very efficient means of transportation but the infrasturcture is expensive and I'm not sure Americans will embrace it yet. We may build a high speed line between a couple of points but I would bet it will never be anything but a taxpayer drag.
preacher1
preacher1 1
While the overseas rail lines are well developed and efficient, they are heavily subsidized by the government as needed infrastructure. Whether rail, air, or highway, our government must decide once and for all that these 3 systems are necessary to our economic growth and survival, and make the long term investment that is needed rather than just fits and starts or piecemeal.Users can pay some but we are talking far too many $ for them to pay all.In looking, it is also easy to see many of those $ that should be put to use for these things going for bureaucratic salaries accomplishing nothing.
jetterle
jetterle -1
Bozo's....hmmmm, well now, let's send the TSA employees home for a month, post a PUBLIC Notice, then everyone will be so happy! UNTIL! yeah that's right UNTIL, everyone will start complaining about something else, and all of a sudden....someone hijacks another plane and none of you want to take responsibility for getting rid of the TSA Employees. Not a single one of you will! If you travel a lot, you SHOULD know what and how to pack, when to be at the airport, what papers you can fill out to make things move along faster. Take Some responsibility for yourselves and travel will move a lot smoother. As for the FBI guy, anyone can get a badge, forgers make fake documents just to test security. You have your rules, we have ours. You are not about to let me in a crime scene without proper documentation, you aren't getting on a plane with a knife!
JamesWestberry
Oh, I get it. You're a TSA employee...It's okay....
rick737
richard weiss 3
Spoken like a good little drone. It becomes obvious you've had you're common sense brain cells irratiated away by that giant back-scatter machine you stand next to. With harden cockpit doors, armed pilots and random air marshalls, all that eyewash at the checkpoint is as useless as teats on a stallion. That "Getting on a plane with a knife" line is my personal favorite. Next time you're out wasting taxpayer dollars by wondering the SIDA, ask a pilot to show you the crash axe that is kept in the cockpit.
zennermd
zennermd 1
Read this post again in the next twenty years when you have cancer from all the radiation, and tell me it was all worth it and the TSA actually did a good job. They tell you there is little to no risk of radiation, but you are exposed to it every day for multiple hours a day. I wish you the best. Hopefully they have a cure for cancer by then.
Tomhuben
Tom Huben 1
Letting guns get thru on a regular basis. Having TSA STEAL Laptops and other valuable belongings. When was the last Hijacking in the USA before 911? 1970's!!! If a terrorists wants to blow up a plane, they could do it right in front of TSA'S eyes!!! A big waste of money and harrassment CREATED by George W!!!
rick737
richard weiss 2
When a president is forced into a snapp decision, as in the TSA creation, it's a mistake. For the next president, who doesn't do something to correct that mistake, it's stupidity. B.O. has had 3 years to fix this mess. He has made it worse. Given that logic, which president is the bigger fool?
devsfan
ken young 1
hardly the point. No one objects to air travel security. We object to unprofessional behavior. We object to government bureaucracy. We object to what is essentially a federal jobs program.
I see you are a TSA worker. Well your commentary is dismissed as biased in support of a system wrought with flaws.
mgh5
Max Hanna 0
I had a conversation wtih a police officer in the Charlotte, NC airport a couple years ago. My comment was about the tools, knives etc, used to prepare food in the restaurants in the secure area. There is no check to verify no items have been taken for use elsewhere He agreed TSA was all for show. They intimidate people into submission. The intimidation may keep some terrorist out. Oh, don't try to take play dough on board.
crk112
crk112 0
OH MY GOD... THE TSA IS USELESS??? YOU DON'T SAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TheSkipster
TheSkipster 0
TSA is a Bush Administration mistake turned into an Obama Administration disaster. Duh! It's the U.S. Government at work. What the hell do you expect?
lacholan
C S 0
Again I stress. We have more protection from terrorist than any other country. The TSA is not useless- as it deters terrorist-to protect us. Get rid of it and see what happens. 65,000 employees- because thats alot of area to cover- and you still can not cover it all. And do you know how much we have spent on people without health insurance since 2002. WAY MORE! So quit complaining- there job is hard enough.
pnschi
pnschi 2
Telling people to quit complaining is un-American. Since when are we supposed to shut up and accept whatever crappy level of service a government agency will descend to? Do you have any idea what makes this country great? I have every right, on both legal and moral grounds, to complain about the performance of the TSA or any other goverment agency. That's one of the things that makes this country great - not the TSA, and not blind obedience to authority on the grounds that they government has a job to do.
pnschi
pnschi 0
I hate to admit it, but I agree with the TSA agent not allowing the FBI agent to carry a knife on board, even though he had a semi-auto pistol. The firearm is FBI-issue, and if the agent fails to turn up with it after his flight, he's officially negligent, and possible a suspect. On the other hand, he can leave the knife under a sink in a restroom for an accomplice to pick up later. Voila, a weapon in the hands of a bad guy behind security.
GaAubie
Ken Hardy 0
TSA = Thousands Standing Around, what else can you say, that sums it up.
sparkie624
sparkie624 0
Hmm... Never thought of it that way, but you are right... I may have to use that one some time.
benamarb
B B 0
Je suis belge, d'origine marocaine,je me suis rendu au etat unis avec ma famille ,et je peu vous dire que les gens de l'immigration (tsa) font chier leurs monde.J'ai du attendre plus de 1h30 pour rien ,avant qu'il me laisse entrer en territoire us.
THRUSTT
THRUSTT 1
Monsieur, don't belch on this site por favor...
Yankee1
Robert West 0
Excusez moi Monsieur B/B, but my French is not so good and I do not understand what you have written ? Thank You
benamarb
B B 1
exuser moi aussi ,car mon anglais est nul.
Je voulais dire que les gens qui désire visiter les usa on quelques problèmes une fois arriver a l'aeroport
AaronCannata
Aaron Cannata 0
According to Google Translator he said:

I am a Belgian of Moroccan descent, I went to the United States with my family and I just tell you that people in immigration (tsa) are shi**ing their world. I had to wait more than 1:30 for nothing , before he lets me enter the territory of U.S.
Yankee1
Robert West 1
Merci Beaucoup Aaron
I know that in upper Belgium they speak a dialect of Dutch (I speak Utrechts Dutch) and in lower Belgium it is a dialect of French. I find that the problem with being multi-lingual is getting them mixed up, especially the dialects. When I was stationed in Holland I went to get a haircut and the barber wanted to know why I spoke Dutch with a German accent but I am American. (I was also stationeed in Germany for a few years)
Best Regards...
Wally2105
walter adney -1
Soooo, what do you want? Get rid of TSA and have nothing? Let passengers board without any kind of screening process? That would be reals smart man. Believe me, to undermind an entire orginization because of your ignorance, your no expert. FBI or otherwise. Do yo think civilian screening would be better? Get rid of TSA and go back to that? I was a supervisor during "civilian screening" working for a company at a major airport. Believe me you do not want to go back to that. I also spent 21 years as a criminal investigator and have been through TSA screening. I would fly any time any where with the process we have today. You sir, are no professional making a statement TSA Is Usless. What kind of message does that send to our enemies? THINK!
THRUSTT
THRUSTT 2
It's really aggravating reading, trying to figure out comments like yours. Proof-read your comments before posting. By the way, the majority of the TSA are ignorant, incompetent fools.
jetterle
jetterle -2
Tisk, Tisk,...has anyone of you applied for a TSA job. Very thorough checks, more than the airline pilot flying you. Veterens are sought. Just think, if you are raped, you can't get an abortion now
JamesWestberry
Not a thorough check. The are vetted by doing a National Criminal Record check. NO background investigation and NO polygraph.....Oh yeah, these are are really checked. They aren't looking for veterans, it's lip service.
THRUSTT
THRUSTT 1
There are a handful of decent TSA workers. They take what they are doing seriously and it seems like they would do the same if in a different job. The rest, which are the majority, seem to be just inept, uneducated fools, who seem to just relish the power of their position.
Very thorough checks??? Do they get random drug and alcohol checks like me? A physical every 6 months? A criminal history check? A PRIA check? I don't know, that's why I'm asking you.
rick737
richard weiss 1
You must be aware of all this because of your vast knowledge and extended years in aviation.
jetterle
jetterle 0

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