Don't make the TSA look bad

Can someone tell my why the pilots have to go through the security screen. Isn't the whole idea of the security screen to prevent someone from taking control of the aircraft? Doesn't the pilot already have control of the aircraft?

The video does make some good points though.
 
NBPD336 said:
Can someone tell my why the pilots have to go through the security screen.
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I would imagine that it would be an attempt to prevent a pilot from taking something throught that could be given to someone else for use on a different aircraft.
 
Because by TSA definition, no one is trusted.
 
NBPD336 said:
Can someone tell my why the pilots have to go through the security screen. Isn't the whole idea of the security screen to prevent someone from taking control of the aircraft? Doesn't the pilot already have control of the aircraft?

The video does make some good points though.
Click to expand...

I think it's because TSA attracts a tremendous number of applicants who have major-league control issues -- we're talking control issues of pathological proportions, here.

Other occupations that attract the same types of people include law enforcement and corrections, but those agencies tend to filter out the nut cases pretty well because (at least around here) they're pretty good-paying jobs with excellent benefits, so they attract many times more applicants than there are positions. The control freaks may apply for the jobs, but they're not usually hired.

The same can't be said of TSA. The jobs pay poorly and (I believe) are still considered "temporary" positions, so there's some question of job security. And the testing and vetting process isn't anywhere near as intense as, say, the vetting of a candidate for the NYPD.

Consequently, a significant number of screwballs who desperately crave a tin badge and the authority to boss people around are able to become TSA "officers," and are eventually promoted through the ranks to policy-making positions.

In short, it's a screwball agency staffed by screwballs, so why would we expect its policies not to be screwy?

-Rich
 
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The next time you are at a large airport go to the food court in the "secure" area and contemplate how somebody could easily smuggle in weapons or explosives. There are probably utensils that could be used as weapons in the kitchen areas now. It would not be difficult to make an effective weapon from various building materials like the metal strips from a drop ceiling. The current security measures might stop an amateur but I believe they are more for appearance than anything else.
 
Gary F said:
The next time you are at a large airport go to the food court in the "secure" area and contemplate how somebody could easily smuggle in weapons or explosives. There are probably utensils that could be used as weapons in the kitchen areas now. It would not be difficult to make an effective weapon from various building materials like the metal strips from a drop ceiling. The current security measures might stop an amateur but I believe they are more for appearance than anything else.
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Let's see, in Detroit an airplane cleaner brings his girlfriend to work to show her around inside an airplane.

In Philadelphia, some guy is loading baggage with no ID and, when questioned, takes off on a luggage tug never to be seen again.

In Charlotte a teen climbs into the wheel well of a Boston bound airline where he dies in flight.

And those are just the ones were
dumb enough to get caught
and made the news
and I remember from the news...

20% of passengers are sent through the nude-o-scope (so even if the scope works there is a 80% chance that a bomber would get through).

Why bother smuggling something to the food court? Use the catering truck and put it directly on the airplane...
 
RJM62 said:
I think it's because TSA attracts a tremendous number of applicants who have major-league control issues -- we're talking control issues of pathological proportions, here.

Other occupations that attract the same types of people include law enforcement and corrections, but those agencies tend to filter out the nut cases pretty well because (at least around here) they're pretty good-paying jobs with excellent benefits, so they attract many times more applicants than there are positions. The control freaks may apply for the jobs, but they're not usually hired.

The same can't be said of TSA. The jobs pay poorly and (I believe) are still considered "temporary" positions, so there's some question of job security. And the testing and vetting process isn't anywhere near as intense as, say, the vetting of a candidate for the NYPD.

Consequently, a significant number of screwballs who desperately crave a tin badge and the authority to boss people around are able to become TSA "officers," and are eventually promoted through the ranks to policy-making positions.

In short, it's a screwball agency staffed by screwballs, so why would we expect its policies not to be screwy?

-Rich
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The typical TSO position, when full-time, pays on a scale between $29k and $41k, higher in high cost areas, and has full federal benefits. They are in a drug testing designated position, have passed a Limited Background Investigation (the lowest level of background screening for federal sensitive, security and LE jobs but still somewhat rigorous), and have met medical standards. They are in the excepted service, which is not temporary at all but is not the career service either. When an excepted service position exists it typically indicates a ****ing match between the agency and the Office of Personnel Management over non standard hiring procedures, position classification or pay scale.
 
alaskaflyer said:
The typical TSO position, when full-time, pays on a scale between $29k and $41k, higher in high cost areas, and has full federal benefits. They are in a drug testing designated position, have passed a Limited Background Investigation (the lowest level of background screening for federal sensitive, security and LE jobs but still somewhat rigorous), and have met medical standards. They are in the excepted service, which is not temporary at all but is not the career service either. When an excepted service position exists it typically indicates a ****ing match between the agency and the Office of Personnel Management over non standard hiring procedures, position classification or pay scale.
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Thanks for clearing that up. My cousin recently applied, was accepted, and is on a waiting list. He told me the pay was much less. Maybe he's starting part time.

I do know of two guys, however, who washed out of the NYPD Academy, and another who was rejected by both NYC Corrections and NYS Corrections, all three of whom landed jobs with TSA. I'll add that I don't think any of the three should be in positions of authority over people, but that's just my opinion.

My point was just that real law enforcement agencies are much more selective, do better screening, and tend to pick the cream of the crop; so the control freaks and other nut jobs who apply tend not to make it onto the job.

Thanks again,

-Rich
 
I get a kick out of the thread title. I don't have to make the TSA look bad. They do a fine job of that all by themselves.
 
RJM62 said:
Thanks for clearing that up. My cousin recently applied, was accepted, and is on a waiting list. He told me the pay was much less. Maybe he's starting part time.

-Rich
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They do have a lot of permanent part time folks. Same above applies except less than 40 hours per week.
 
Richard said:
Judging from some of the hippoTSArus I've seen, I have to wonder what medical standard?
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MEDICAL STANDARDS: All TSOs must meet job-related medical
standards that will be assessed in a pre-employment medical
evaluation that considers relevant aspects of all body systems
(e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, auditory,
etc.). These medical standards include but are not limited to:


Visual ability including two functioning eyes with: a)
distance vision correctable to 20/30 or better in the best eye and
20/100 or better in the worse eye, b) near vision correctable to
20/40 or better binocular, and c) color perception (e.g., red,
green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown, black, white,
gray). Color filters (e.g., contact lenses) for enhancing color
discrimination are prohibited;

Hearing ability (corrected or uncorrected) as measured by
audiometry cannot exceed: a) an average hearing loss of 25 decibels
(ANSI) at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000Hz in each ear, and b) single
reading of 45 decibels at 4000 and 6000 Hz in each ear;

Adequate joint mobility, dexterity and range of motion,
strength, and stability to repeatedly lift and carry up to 70
pounds; and

Blood pressure not to exceed 140 / 90.
 
alaskaflyer said:
MEDICAL STANDARDS: All TSOs must meet job-related medical
standards that will be assessed in a pre-employment medical
evaluation that considers relevant aspects of all body systems
(e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, auditory,
etc.). These medical standards include but are not limited to:


Visual ability including two functioning eyes with: a)
distance vision correctable to 20/30 or better in the best eye and
20/100 or better in the worse eye, b) near vision correctable to
20/40 or better binocular, and c) color perception (e.g., red,
green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, brown, black, white,
gray). Color filters (e.g., contact lenses) for enhancing color
discrimination are prohibited;

Hearing ability (corrected or uncorrected) as measured by
audiometry cannot exceed: a) an average hearing loss of 25 decibels
(ANSI) at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000Hz in each ear, and b) single
reading of 45 decibels at 4000 and 6000 Hz in each ear;

Adequate joint mobility, dexterity and range of motion,
strength, and stability to repeatedly lift and carry up to 70
pounds; and

Blood pressure not to exceed 140 / 90.
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Hmmm... no psych testing?

I would think they'd at least require an MMPI, for whatever that old test is worth. I've had to take it for a few jobs over the years.

-Rich
 
Aha! That's how we do it. It's how we abolish the TSA. We harrass them to the point they start popping veins. Get their BP above a sustained 140/90. And start carrying cases of Twinkies...which naturally they'll, ahem, confiscate.
 
Richard said:
Aha! That's how we do it. It's how we abolish the TSA. We harrass them to the point they start popping veins. Get their BP above a sustained 140/90. And start carrying cases of Twinkies...which naturally they'll, ahem, confiscate.
Click to expand...

Yes! A few other suggestions:

  • Giggle during the patdown
  • Fart during the patdown
  • Ask for the TSO's phone number after the patdown
  • Say, "Done already? I was just starting to enjoy it." after the patdown.
  • Feed your infant strained spinach and prunes a few hours before flight time
  • Wink or blow a kiss at the TSO
  • Wear this shirt into the scanner
Any other ideas?

-Rich
 
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