A sports columnist recently wrote that a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) was offering to take people to the front of the checkpoint line via a wheelchair for a fee. Of course, his story picked up a bit of attention on the ol’ intertubes.
I and others more familiar with airports and checkpoint security instantly knew this wasn’t a TSO, but to be sure, we reviewed the video. What we found was that the person he wrote about was a skycap. Skycaps are porters who assist passengers, some often in wheelchairs. They work for tips and their uniforms do not resemble those of a TSO. In fact, many skycaps wear hats as TSOs do not.
It’s standard procedure for people using wheelchairs to be brought to the front of the line where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gates are located.
While I’ve seen and heard about our TSOs going out of their way to assist passengers outside of the checkpoint, their main focus is security. If you or somebody you are traveling with will need a wheelchair or some other type of assistance before or after the checkpoint, please ask your airport or airline about the availability of their skycap service.
I and others more familiar with airports and checkpoint security instantly knew this wasn’t a TSO, but to be sure, we reviewed the video. What we found was that the person he wrote about was a skycap. Skycaps are porters who assist passengers, some often in wheelchairs. They work for tips and their uniforms do not resemble those of a TSO. In fact, many skycaps wear hats as TSOs do not.
It’s standard procedure for people using wheelchairs to be brought to the front of the line where the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gates are located.
While I’ve seen and heard about our TSOs going out of their way to assist passengers outside of the checkpoint, their main focus is security. If you or somebody you are traveling with will need a wheelchair or some other type of assistance before or after the checkpoint, please ask your airport or airline about the availability of their skycap service.
If you’d like to comment on an unrelated topic you can do so in our Off Topic Comments post. You can also view our blog post archives or search our blog to find a related topic to comment in. If you have a travel related issue or question that needs an immediate answer, you can contact a Customer Support Manager at the airport you traveled, or will be traveling through by using Talk to TSA.
60 comments:
Presumably the TSA reviewed checkpoint video to determine the facts you're claiming here. So post the video.
Is the TSA Blog closed for comments?
No Scams here, just "a massive oxycodone trafficking operation" involving "Three TSA agents and at least two police officers".
-http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44502230/ns/local_news-hartford_ct/#
TSA, Keeping you Safe... and trafficking drugs.
No Scams here, just... oh, wait.
After repeatedly telling us that it was absolutely necessary to touch our kids and look in their shoes ('cuz if they didn't, terrorists would simply use kids to carry bombs on board), the TSA has reversed their decision. So... I guess the terrorist kiddies will kill us all now.
-http://www.mainstreet.com/article/lifestyle/travel/tsa-changes-shoe-pat-down-rules-kids
...and there's many more.
The TSA needs to be dismantled. Now.
Hey, Bob, are you aware that an alleged screener has reported on another website that he has often transported the disabled from the door of the airport to the checkpoint?
screen capture
"Don't pat down kids and old people! They aren't terrorists!"
TSA goes to performing security based on the risk of different groups.
"Why aren't you patting down everyone?!?"
Can't please the knee-jerk crowd.
I find it funny how everyone is against TSA all the time. But if there was a line for an Airplane with security and a line for one without, I would be choosing the line with security. I bet you would do the same. People need to remember that there may be some bad apples in the bag, but it does not make all of them bad. I think you know what I mean.
Anonymous, why don't you list your name (coward). What do you people suggest as far as airport and aircraft security ago? You say this ten years after 19 murders hijacked 4 planes and killed over 3,ooo people. TSA isn't the enemy! I just don't understand how you can be so upset over an inconvience such as taking your shoes off (Richard Reid, sp?). I just don't understand it really. You need to swallow your pride a little bit!
So what your saying Bob is that TSA employees wouldn't take a person out of turn to the front of the screening line by using a wheel chair but will take $50 gift cards to help smuggle illegal drugs.
And this should make us feel better about TSA how?
"... we reviewed the video. What we found ..."
Hmmm. We'd think that if you had the video, you would post it! Care to share it, or do we just take your word on that?
"It’s standard procedure for people using wheelchairs...."
You really love that phrase, standard procedure, don't you?
In your blog post you state: "I and others more familiar with airports and checkpoint security instantly knew this wasn’t a TSO"
So you went into the investingation with you mind already made up? A good investigator never presupposes what is going on. He allows the facts to stand for themselves.
The article only states that it was not a TSA agent. What it does NOT say is whether or not the Skycap was aiding and abetting people to jump the line by faking Handicap status!
I am really disappointed when I read these hateful comments toward the TSA.
Go through security at a major European airport such as London Heathrow or Frankfurt. Your carry on will be checked thoroughly three times at the gate before you are allowed to board.
Americans are so spoiled.
Your employees make a report/referral whenever they find/observe something illegal.
It's obvious that they knew that the skycap was doing something akin to letting people park in the handicapped parking spot.
So why didn't they turn this rogue skycap in?
And do we know that the skycap didn't share those tips with the TSA employees? For all that we know she was sharing parts of her proceeds in order to be able to continue pulling that stunt every single day.
Have you truly done an investigation? It doesn't sound like it.
I post comments critical of TSA when I think they deserve it, but I think they're getting a bum rap on the wheelchair story. It wasn't a TSA person. Case closed. Nor is it fair to paint with a broad brush and classify all TSA people as incompetent or worse.
Now about the child invasions of privacy, ignoring the NATURE article on BDOs, and so many other insane things... back to criticism.
Anonymous said...
Anonymous, why don't you list your name (coward)
----------------------------------
Oh the irony....
Anonymous at 6:31pm said: "But if there was a line for an Airplane with security and a line for one without, I would be choosing the line with security. I bet you would do the same."
This is exactly the situation that I would like- let the airlines choose how they want to screen their planes, and let consumers choose the airline with the security they are comfortable with. If you are that afraid of a one-in-25-million terrorist attack (see http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703481004574646963713065116.html), then you are welcome to choose an airline that takes naked scans and rubs you down, bans liquids and makes you remove your shoes. I personally wouldn't have any problem choosing an airline with no security screening at all- I would still be far more likely to die driving to the airport than on the plane. But, if you add a third option of just metal detectors and wands, I can guarantee you that that is what the vast majority of consumers would choose.
"Your carry on will be checked thoroughly three times at the gate before you are allowed to board."
This is an utter lie. Last time I flew out of Heathrow, calm and polite professionals were working security, no one had to remove shoes (for a flight to the US, even!), and there was not a single check of my or anyone else's carryons.
@Anon: "I find it funny how everyone is against TSA all the time. But if there was a line for an Airplane with security and a line for one without, I would be choosing the line with security. I bet you would do the same. People need to remember that there may be some bad apples in the bag, but it does not make all of them bad. I think you know what I mean."
Ah, the old false choice argument. Given TSA's propensity for theater, abysmal failure rate and security holes you could drive a Mack truck thru, there isn't much difference between a line without security and one with.
Now if TSA were actually an effective organization, you might have an argument, Anon. However, TSA or nothing isn't a valid argument as there are many options in between, like pre-9/11 security.
Give me a choice between pre-9/11 security and TSA, and I'd choose pre-9/11 security. I'd be just as safe too.
Earl
@Anon: "I am really disappointed when I read these hateful comments toward the TSA.
Go through security at a major European airport such as London Heathrow or Frankfurt. Your carry on will be checked thoroughly three times at the gate before you are allowed to board.
Americans are so spoiled."
Actually, I have and your statement is false. The only place I've been hastled was in Seoul, and Frankfurt in 2005. Frankfurt's loosened up, and Seoul was because I was on a United flight (even though that flight was only bound for Tokyo). That harassment was at the behest of the USG, and Seoul security apologized profusely for having to do it.
I've been thru Munich, Zurich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Geneva and Prague and haven't had my bag checked 3 times. It went thru the x-ray and that was it.
Americans are spoiled? More like most Americans are scaredy cats and unfortunately, many of them work for DHS and TSA.
Earl
"But if there was a line for an Airplane with security and a line for one without, I would be choosing the line with security."
That's not a fair question. Few people are arguing for *no* security check. People *are* arguing for sensible checks.
If I had a choice between a plane where passengers were screened by today's TSA, or a plane where passengers were screened as they were the morning of 9/11/01 -- just x-ray machine for bags and metal detector, and where the cockpit doors are hardened -- I'd choose the latter in a heartbeat.
Anonymous said...
"I find it funny how everyone is against TSA all the time. But if there was a line for an Airplane with security and a line for one without, I would be choosing the line with security. I bet you would do the same."
I'll bet I wouldn't. The TSA security is not effective and is not really protecting you.
Newsflash to the world:
Your profession has bad people working in it! People doing things that would bring shame to their families and emberassment to their profession!
Just because one Geek squad agent puts a keylogger on your computer, does not mean that GeekSquad should disband.
Should the police disband as well since there were 2 police officers involved in this trug smuggling plot? Can't we all just be happy that they were finally caught?
Let's follow the same logic here and apply it to other professions.
Disband/outlaw Public Education! A Teacher once broke the law!
Disband/outlaw Private Education! A Principle was doctoring scores to earn more cash!
Disband Congress/Senate!
A congressman/senator once broke the law!
Why don't these work? Oh, probably because we all realize that the few individuals responsible for these actions do not represent the rest of the people in the field.
Most organizations take real measures to not only discipline and remove their bad apples, but also measures to prevent the bad apples from being employed in the first place. The TSA nurtures and encourages their bad apples. I have yet to meet a person associated with the TSA who didn't act like a rent-a-cop on a power trip, or a smarmy liar.
Chad:
You would have a point, IF there were only one bad TSO/cop/teacher/etc.
Unfortunately, there is plenty of proof that there are many, many more than one.
"Once Is Chance, Twice is Coincidence, Third Time Is A Pattern"
Chad. said...
"Why don't these work? Oh, probably because we all realize that the few individuals responsible for these actions do not represent the rest of the people in the field."
It's not that there are a few bad people, it's that the TSA doesn't seem to take the seriously. They don't make much of an effort to police their own people.
"I find it funny how everyone is against TSA all the time. But if there was a line for an Airplane with security and a line for one without, I would be choosing the line with security. I bet you would do the same."
Then you would loose your bet. In fact, I got on an Amtrak train a month ago without going through any formal security. Not even a WTMD. My bags were never searched, they only time they were opened was when I needed a snack or a drink of water from one of four water bottles I was able to take with me. I guess it is just dumb luck that I was not killed by terrorists, or is it that terrorists have no interest in attacking the poor people riding the train. I guess they only target the buisness class traveling by comercial air.
Not Scared of Terrorists
Sandra sez - "Hey, Bob, are you aware that an alleged screener has reported on another website that he has often transported the disabled from the door of the airport to the checkpoint?"
I personally have escorted some folks through that were unable to do so on their own. I see no problem with helping passengers that need it, the key is not to accept tips, as that is not allowed. I even walked a visually impaired passenger from the curbside to her ticket counter, then on to the gate - no skycaps were available and she was not able to make her way down to the gate on her own.
I was lucky in those cases that :
1) We had adequate staffing that there was no impact on screening.
2) I was willing to help someone that needed it.
West
TSA Blog Team
s sez - "The article only states that it was not a TSA agent. What it does NOT say is whether or not the Skycap was aiding and abetting people to jump the line by faking Handicap status!"
While many would consider that morally wrong, TSA addressed claims that one of their employees was doing this. TSA investigated and found that it was, in fact, not a TSA employee doing what was attributed to them. The company responsible for the skycaps would be the company that needs to address their employee.
West
TSA Blog Team
I'm sure if there was a line with metal detectors and wands, that it would be the line people would mostly choose, and that people have not argued about no security. But they would argue if they did reasonable checks and something got through. Wouldn't they. TSA would get the blame for that also. How do they win.
To the person who said they would choose no security. That would be your choice. I would sure feel sorry for your kids, if you had any. Anything that would make my kids a little safer, I would do. Just like taking them to the Doctor when there sick. I sure wouldn't say check them but Don't touch!!
That would even be better. Just take the train. No one is making anyone fly. The public has a choice. At least that would make the lines a little easier for the passengers that don't complain at all.
What I find interesting here is that these "highly trained" TSA screeners that are supposed to be able to spot terrorists by their suspicious behavior couldn't figure out a skycap was scamming them.
Do you all feel safer?
"Just take the train."
You're new here, aren't you?
The TSA operates on trains too.
"I even walked a visually impaired passenger from the curbside to her ticket counter, then on to the gate"
West you are clearly a nice person. But why would you do that on the job? Where is this part of your mission? I do not like hearing that my tax dollars are being spent like that. The TSA budget should not be spent on you providing services to passengers that the airlines or airports should provide.
The highly trained can't be everywhere at once. Thats why they rely on us,the public if you see something say something. Remember, Security has been cut in funding from what I hear. So they can't hire alot more.
To the one who asked if I was new. Yes. But I was not the one that said they took a train to get away from security. So, maybe you should be telling them that.
Anon sez - ""I even walked a visually impaired passenger from the curbside to her ticket counter, then on to the gate"
West you are clearly a nice person. But why would you do that on the job? Where is this part of your mission? I do not like hearing that my tax dollars are being spent like that. The TSA budget should not be spent on you providing services to passengers that the airlines or airports should provide."
I took break time to do these things, it was fairly simple. I called the STSO or TSM that was in charge of me and asked to take a break so I could make certain that the people were not left in the cold.
I guess you could make the case that I shouldn't have to do this (and I agree with you btw), that the airline or skycap service should have handled it, but that made no difference to the person that needed help. If the situation arises again, I will do the same thing again (unless there is some conflict with staffing).
West
TSA Blog Team
While many would consider that morally wrong, TSA addressed claims that one of their employees was doing this. TSA investigated and found that it was, in fact, not a TSA employee doing what was attributed to them. The company responsible for the skycaps would be the company that needs to address their employee.
West
TSA Blog Team
September 15, 2011 1:43 PM
.....................
Show the video so we can see if it was or was not a TSA employee.
TSA lies!
Anonymous said...
"To the person who said they would choose no security. That would be your choice. I would sure feel sorry for your kids, if you had any. Anything that would make my kids a little safer, I would do."
This assumes that airport security is actually making them safer - it isn't.
It's still possible to get weapons onto an airplane if you really want to.
There is also no reason that a terrorist has to restrict themselves to airplanes. You are just as dead if they set off a bomb in the airport security line.
@Chad:
People who break the law at Geek Squad and other organizations are held accountable and fired, and if necessary, prosecuted. Your logic fails because that doesn't happen with TSA.
The bar should be higher with people in positions of public trust, including TSA.
I can file a complaint with the board of education for my district or state, with the police, with Best Buy, or whoever, and it WILL be investigated. Those responsible will be punished if the complaint has merit. I filed 2 complaints with TSA this year, and neither were resolved. They were both ignored, and believe me, both had merit.
Now with TSA, unless it causes major national embarassment, nothing is going to happen. And even if it does, it's just going to cause screener "retraining" in most cases. I mean, Alvin Crabtree at DEN can bring a loaded firearm to work and he can still keep his job. Let's see how that would have played out had you done that.
It comes down to accountability. Other organizations, public or private, are accountable. TSA is not.
I read about police corruption very rarely in the news on a national or local level. I read about issues with TSA screeners getting busted for something at least several times a week. Big difference. TSA's workforce is significantly smaller than the amount of people working in the other fields.
Keep in mind that you're asking us to hold TSA to a standard they won't hold us to. You're asking us to overlook the "one offs" when they mess up, but they use the "one offs" to harass us continually thanks to Richard Reid, the underwear bomber, and the liquid idiots. Why do they get a free pass at using one person as justification but we're supposed to ignore the Bad Apples®?
Can't have it both ways, Chad.
Earl
Does anyone get reports on what TSA has caught. All we hear is what the news gives you. The bad stuff, just like any other place.
No one was is asking anyone to overlook what the TSo's did. They were fired for what they did.
If it had so much merit , something should have been done about it. That is sad. But there are TSO's that are very good at what they do. I have been through many airports. I think your right that some could be slacking in accountability but others are fine. Just like any other places. Or people.
Earl Pitts said...
@Anon: "I am really disappointed when I read these hateful comments toward the TSA.
Go through security at a major European airport such as London Heathrow or Frankfurt. Your carry on will be checked thoroughly three times at the gate before you are allowed to board.
Americans are so spoiled."
Actually, I have and your statement is false. The only place I've been hastled was in Seoul, and Frankfurt in 2005. Frankfurt's loosened up, and Seoul was because I was on a United flight (even though that flight was only bound for Tokyo). That harassment was at the behest of the USG, and Seoul security apologized profusely for having to do it.
I've been thru Munich, Zurich, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Geneva and Prague and haven't had my bag checked 3 times. It went thru the x-ray and that was it.
Americans are spoiled? More like most Americans are scaredy cats and unfortunately, many of them work for DHS and TSA.
Earl
----------------------
So what your saying is....all the airports that the terrorists (richard ried, and undie bomber boy) used have less security than american airports.
yes lets use security like other countries so the terrorists don't have to fly from amsterdam to attack american soil, they can fly from denver colorado instead.
And in one of your other comments mister pitts you mentioned other organizations not having corruption? That is not a valid point because unlike any other organization in america, TSA is practically being video taped by the media every second of every day and interacts with millions of people every day. The other scattered corrupt agencies that maybe deal with 20 people a day in their home towns don't get noticed as easily.
Everytime I read these comments it's the same bloggers posting ridiculous responses over and over. I guess it's true that the public will never truly understand the job of TSA but to those of you that do, thank you.
It is not a TSO's job to do an internal affairs investigation as to why the skycaps are bringing patrons in. If they bring an individual in it is only my job as a screener to screen that person for dangerous and prohibited items. It is not my job to question whether they are really disabled or not. i could just see the headline now "TSA officer accuses passenger of faking disability" lol we can win. I've come to accept that my job is a catch 22 when it comes to the public.
I just had a passenger accuse me of "strip searching" her when clearly she fully clothed and in public the whole time. Really lady?
Back to the story a hand it was not a TSA officer the guy saw taking tips. We would get fired for doing that. We are there to screen passengers not to question if you are really disabled or not when we see you being escorted by a skycap. Just that simple.
Anonymous said...
"I even walked a visually impaired passenger from the curbside to her ticket counter, then on to the gate"
West you are clearly a nice person. But why would you do that on the job? Where is this part of your mission? I do not like hearing that my tax dollars are being spent like that. The TSA budget should not be spent on you providing services to passengers that the airlines or airports should provide.
September 15, 2011 5:16 PM
Im sorry but just how heartless can you be... if someone is in need o dont care if you are on the job or not you or someone should help. a scycap was not able to help so the first person who saw the problem helped out. No problems with that!
@Anon: "So what your saying is....all the airports that the terrorists (richard ried, and undie bomber boy) used have less security than american airports."
No, I'm saying that those airports have to be screened to TSA standards or they're not permitted into US airspace. TSA itself has said this. It shows that TSA's procedures don't work.
"More" security doesn't necessarily mean "better" or "effective." It's about quality, not quantity. You can have 20 or 30 layers of something. But if they're all as porous as cheesecloth, then the layers aren't effective and just for show.
TSA is a Maginot Line. The appearance of impenetrability and strength but something an enemy can easily circumvent.
"yes lets use security like other countries so the terrorists don't have to fly from amsterdam to attack american soil, they can fly from denver colorado instead."
And how often did that happen before 9/11? I'll give you a hint: never.
9/11 happened because the terrorists gained access to the cockpit. FAA policy in place at the time mandated that they cooperated with the hijackers. Normally, that meant a detour to Cuba. Of course, that changed. It didn't take long for the brave souls on UA 93 to figure that out and fight back.
And in both the shoe and underwear bombers, who ended up stopping the attack? The people on the plane.
Your policies leak like a sieve. It's not a matter of TSA stopping terrorists. It's a matter of them not trying. Show me something significantly better than a 70% failure rate and we can talk. Currently, odds are 2:1 they'll get what they need thru, unless it's a bottle of water or shampoo.
"And in one of your other comments mister pitts you mentioned other organizations not having corruption? That is not a valid point because unlike any other organization in america, TSA is practically being video taped by the media every second of every day and interacts with millions of people every day. The other scattered corrupt agencies that maybe deal with 20 people a day in their home towns don't get noticed as easily."
Not an excuse. You have public trust. You're accountable. You are being paid with my and millions of others taxes. You can't justify corruption in your ranks by saying it happens everywhere else too. If you don't like that or can't handle it, do what you tell us to do if we don't like it: find another job.
I don't buy the video tape thing. What do we see with video:
At the checkpoint, if the video helps TSA, TSA can always produce it. If it doesn't help TSA, it conveniently disappears.
People who try to film at the checkpoint have been repeatedly harassed when trying to document the abuses of your brethren and sisters on the job.
The video and reports show that TSA has a massive problem and refuses to address. There are tons of criminals in an organization that is designed to "protect" us. If you say you can't trust the public because of 1 idiot with a pair of shoes causing trouble, then it's fair to say that we shouldn't trust TSA because of the hundreds of Bad Apples® and Isolated Incidents®. The rate of corruption and criminality in TSA is significantly higher than than the amount of terrorists in the general public.
Earl
We submitted this letter to the editor to the NY Post, but they refused to run it.
Dear Editor:
Phil Mushnick’s 9/11 column, “Even TSA employees are scamming,” is pure fabrication.
Mushnick claimed that a TSA agent accepted money to move his party through an airport security line by pretending to be in need of a wheelchair. But who was really pulling the scam here? TSA reviewed the videotape and conducted an investigation, which quickly determined that there was absolutely no TSA involvement in bringing Mushnick or his party to the front of the checkpoint line or accepting money. The video clearly shows a contracted mobility assistance representative (skycap) sporting a white shirt and tie, pushing a wheelchair to the security checkpoint. Mushnick admittedly offered the woman a tip in exchange for allowing a member of his traveling party to pretend to be disabled and use the skycap’s wheelchair services to get to the head of the line. But in pulling off his caper, he falsely accused a blue-uniformed TSA officer of being the one who solicited the service, pushed the wheelchair and accepted the cash tip. There is absolutely no comparison between a white skycap outfit and a blue TSA uniform! Should the mobility assistance representative have offered her services in that fashion? Absolutely not, but these contractors don’t work for TSA.
Further, Mushnick waited until September 11th to run his column a full month after the August 12th incident took place to capitalize on the anniversary of 9/11—never once contacting TSA to inquire about it. Mushnick himself was guilty of a hustle by paying off a skycap and having a travel companion pretend to be disabled to circumvent a line. His actions and falsely accusing TSA are unacceptable.
Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson
Thanks,
Blogger Bob
TSA Blog Team
Blogger Bob said...
We submitted this letter to the editor to the NY Post, but they refused to run it.
Dear Editor:
Phil Mushnick’s 9/11 column, “Even TSA employees are scamming,” is pure fabrication. ...
So then take them to court. There are laws against publishing lies. Complaining to us isn't going to day anything.
In the letter to the NY Post:
"The video clearly shows a contracted mobility assistance representative (skycap) sporting a white shirt and tie, pushing a wheelchair to the security checkpoint."
Still waiting to see the video.... You've posted video before, why not now?
Anon sez - "So then take them to court. There are laws against publishing lies. Complaining to us isn't going to day anything."
I would like to think that some of the folks here would like to be kept aprised of the fact that TSA sent a response to the organization that published this article, that was patently false, and they refused to print it. I think it was nice that HQ followed up on this like they did. Hopefully moving forward, we will see more of this type of response - straight forward and directed at the source.
West
TSA Blog Team
GSOLTSO said...
Anon sez - "So then take them to court. There are laws against publishing lies. Complaining to us isn't going to day anything."
I would like to think that some of the folks here would like to be kept aprised of the fact that TSA sent a response to the organization that published this article, that was patently false, and they refused to print it. I think it was nice that HQ followed up on this like they did. Hopefully moving forward, we will see more of this type of response - straight forward and directed at the source.
West
TSA Blog Team
September 22, 2011 6:36 PM
..................
Is the story false?
We have nothing but some words on this blog so stating that and given the track record of the blog team on points of honesty it is not surprising that questions remain.
Yet TSA does seem to have video so show the video and prove that it was not a TSA employee.
That's ok, Bob. We know how you feel. Many of us have written posts here that you've refused to publish.
Probably speaks to the lower regard the NY Post has for TSA.
Al
"To the person who said they would choose no security. That would be your choice. I would sure feel sorry for your kids, if you had any. Anything that would make my kids a little safer, I would do. Just like taking them to the Doctor when there sick. I sure wouldn't say check them but Don't touch!!"
Anything to make your kids safer? They will be the safest locked in a padded room and fed only healthy foods. You can even force them to do some remedial labor to make sure they get excersise. Their life will be absolutely misserable, but at least they will be safe. Do your kids get searched in order to enter their classroom, or are they homeschooled in their padded room?
As for the doctor comparison, I am willing to allow a medical profesional to screen me for colon cancer. That is because every year over 50,000 people in the US die from this disease. 50,000 people per year is over 160 times the number of people in the US killed per year by terrorists attacks to our transportation system.
In addition to the tangible risk of colon cancer, I am not forced to get checked in order to excersise my right to unimpeded interstate travel. I am allowed to select the doctor that will perform my check. I will not be arrested if I decide to stop the procedure before it is completed. I can read what the entire procedure involves, unlike the TSA where their procedure is SSI. In general, comparing the screening done by the TSA to a visit with a doctor is a terrible analogy.
I choose no security daily, when I walk down my street without having my neighbors screened for dangerous items, when I eat dinner at a restaurant where the other patrons are not screened, when I go to a NASCAR race where there was no security for the thousands tailgating in the parkinglot, or when I go to the store where the only screening is for electronic tags on expensive items.
Not Scared of Terrorists
Much of the excitement on this discussion could have been abated if, at the end of the article, there had been a sentence that said, "TSA has communicated with the vendor in question and explained that using a Sky Cap to circumvent lines be faking a disability is inappropriate."
That can and should still happen.
"I am really disappointed when I read these hateful comments toward the TSA.
Go through security at a major European airport such as London Heathrow or Frankfurt. Your carry on will be checked thoroughly three times at the gate before you are allowed to board.
Americans are so spoiled."
Sorry, but your wrong. I've been through Heathrow without ever showing ID - because I checked in online.
The only time you get harassed- is when you are in one of these airports and traveling TO the US, because of the mandated TSA laws.
Other countries are much more relaxed, and realistic.
http://www.securitymanagement.com/news/two-months-later-post-columnist-sticking-his-account-tsa-scam-009134?page=0%2C1
Two Months Later, Post Columnist Sticking to His Account of 'TSA Scam'
"But of his incident he said, “She had TSA identification on her. I know what a skycap is, I’ve traveled long enough.”"
TSA claims to have video of this so why not show the video to prove the point?
I suggest that the video shows it was in fact a TSA employee scamming the public.
I really respect TSA organization.
I used to work there for about a year and always liked the way they do things, and I think the training is really great.
Thanks for sharing! Great post!
For some reason they always try to blame everything on TSA without even looking at the facts.
TSA always does a great job and stick with the rules at all times. Thanks for posting!
Your profession has bad people working in it! People doing things that would bring shame to their families and emberassment to their profession!
Just because one Geek squad agent puts a keylogger on your computer, does not mean that GeekSquad should disband.
Should the police disband as well since there were 2 police officers involved in this trug smuggling plot? Can't we all just be happy that they were finally caught?
Let's follow the same logic here and apply it to other professions.
In your blog post you state: "I and others more familiar with airports and checkpoint security instantly knew this wasn’t a TSO"
So you went into the investingation with you mind already made up? A good investigator never presupposes what is going on. He allows the facts to stand for themselves.
I love this story! As a private investigator in Columbus Ohio, I do surveillance work for Workers Compensation Fraud. What we found is that more and more, people are faking an injury so that they can work a second job and double dip. The other issue is that they are worried about getting fired or layed off from their employer and they conveniently fake an injury so that they can get paid by worker's comp insurance. Injury and handicap scams have a burning spot in my heart and I think the people who do it should be jailed. The worst is the placards in peoples car just so they can get a good parking spot. Don't get me started on that one!
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