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TSA Dumbass of the Day

I have NEVER supported federalizing security agents at airport because since 9-11 it has been nothing but window dressing with no improvement in the quality of security. Oh sure, they will point to foiled terrorist attempts, as well as no other 9-11 type incident occurring since. And someone remind me just HOW MUCH money has gone into "improving" airline security? Billions, yet the quality of the security is no better than it was back in 1991.

The story from last Thursday talked about Rebecca Solomon, 22 a Michigan student flying from Philly to Detroit. Little did she know what was about to happen. Since many air travelers are not thrilled with current TSA procedures when faced with going through a security check point, now we need to deal with agents with a complex and on power trips.

A TSA worker was staring at her. He motioned her toward him.

Then he pulled a small, clear plastic bag from her carry-on - the sort of baggie that a pair of earrings might come in. Inside the bag was fine, white powder.

She remembers his words: "Where did you get it?"*

In the end it was not placed in her bag by a terrorist wanting to down a commercial airliner, nor was it her own baggie. The TSA agent for reasons unknown (maybe to get a thrill or his rocks off) was playing a bad practical joke on Ms. Solomon, as he admitted it was his baggie and allowed her to pass.

"When she complained to airport security, Solomon said, she was told the TSA worker had been training the staff to detect contraband. She was shocked that no one took him off the floor, she said." Training? I guess this supervisor is no more smarter than the agent who attempted to pull this stunt off. "The TSA views this employee's behavior to be highly inappropriate and unprofessional," she wrote. "We can assure travelers this employee has been disciplined by TSA management at Philadelphia International Airport, and he has expressed remorse for his actions." Yet due to privacy laws the name of the agent could not be given.

Actions like this and others by TSA agents needs to be addressed. This is just a dumb as a passenger making a bomb remake when asked if they are carrying anything when they set off the magnetometer. Come on now! In both situations, the individuals involved possess no smarts in the consequences of their actions. I still believe the enter TSA (or better yet, DHS) needs to undergo an evaluation and review. Money continues to be dumped into this black hole, especially after the last "failed" bombing attempt of the "underwear bomber" aboard Northwest in December, 2009.

"DHS will receive $42.7 billion ($7 billion just for the TSA) in discretionary spending for 2010, a 6 percent increase over 2009.* I am in complete agreement with David Freddoso, who authored a recent piece titled, Time to abolish TSA as we know it in the Washington Examiner on 07 January.

Sorry DHS, but the TSA continues to get a grade of "F" when it comes to what they were federalized in order to provide.

W6ONV on Saturday 23 January 2010 - 13:17:19 | Read/Post Comment: 0