is there no intelligence test for tsa?

[hdroadglide]

Female passengers say they are being targeted by TSA screeners for sexual harassment, with one Texas woman being forced to pass through a naked body scanner three times so chuckling male TSA workers in a back room could get a good look at her “cute” figure.


The incident occurred at DFW International Airport earlier this month. Wife and mother Ellen Terrell was asked by a female TSA screener “Do you play tennis?” When Terrell asked why, the screener responded, “You just have such a cute figure.”
Terrell was then told to go through the naked body scanner not once but a second time. She then heard the TSA screener talking into her microphone saying, “Come on guys, alright, alright, one more time.”
After Terrell was forced to undergo a third blast of radiation from the body scanner, the male TSA agents in the back room who were obviously enjoying the show tried to send her through yet again to see more images of her naked body.
“Guys, it is not blurry, I’m letting her go. Come on out,” the female TSA screener said, finally ending the ordeal.
“I feel like I was totally exposed,” Terrell told CBS 11. “They wanted a nice good look.”
An investigation by CBS 11 News has prompted New York Senator Charles Schumer to introduce legislation that will mandate the TSA provide “passenger advocates” who will be on duty at all times to respond to complaints at every airport in the country.
The investigation found that female travelers are victims of a “peep show” by TSA workers who are using naked body scanners to target attractive women.
“CBS 11 News dug through more than 500 records of TSA complaints and found a pattern of women who believe that there was nothing random about the way they were selected for extra screening,” states the report, which lists numerous examples of men forcing women to pass through the scanners in a clear pattern of sexual harassment.

“Going through security at our nations airports should not be a humiliating or degrading experience,” remarked Schumer after hearing about the investigation. “Because the TSA has refused to put passenger advocates at our nation’s airports, today I’m introducing legislation that would force them to do so.”
However, critics argue that the position would just be filled by another TSA worker, and that such a program will only be worthwhile if the advocate is independent.
A far better solution would be for airports to take advantage of a newly passed law that enables airports to apply to have TSA screeners evicted altogether.
As we have exhaustively documented, TSA workers tasked with operating naked body scanners have found themselves embroiled in an epidemic of criminality, abuses of power, and sexual perversion, with new cases appearing on an almost daily basis.
These people are the least suitable candidates to be providing security at America’s airports, which makes threats by Democrats and people like Joe Lieberman that a “new 9/11″ will occur if the TSA is marginalized all the more asinine.
*********************

 

[javajunkie]

tsa seems to only make air travel safe for a$$holes and perverts. actually, as both an a$$hole and pervert myself, even i am offended by these people.

 

[ATL]

Or.... you could just fire the morons who are doing this.

 

[GoingPostal]

This is wrong but legislation is not the answer. All they will say is Flying is a privilage not a right and the only way things will improve is if we as a nation say FU to the airlines and take other means of travel.

Money talks and bullshit walks, so if your tired of being treated like a criminal when you fly, don't fly, and write your representitives and the airlines and tell them your "mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!" Once the money starts drying up then you'll see real meaningful action.

 

[mthhurley]

WTH is a "naked body scanner"? Is that what the thing is actually called?
Does one strip naked before going in the scanner?

 

[Alwayslit]

Female passengers say they are being targeted by TSA screeners for sexual harassment, with one Texas woman being forced to pass through a naked body scanner three times so chuckling male TSA workers in a back room could get a good look at her “cute” figure.


The incident occurred at DFW International Airport earlier this month. Wife and mother Ellen Terrell was asked by a female TSA screener “Do you play tennis?” When Terrell asked why, the screener responded, “You just have such a cute figure.”
Terrell was then told to go through the naked body scanner not once but a second time. She then heard the TSA screener talking into her microphone saying, “Come on guys, alright, alright, one more time.”
After Terrell was forced to undergo a third blast of radiation from the body scanner, the male TSA agents in the back room who were obviously enjoying the show tried to send her through yet again to see more images of her naked body.
“Guys, it is not blurry, I’m letting her go. Come on out,” the female TSA screener said, finally ending the ordeal.
“I feel like I was totally exposed,” Terrell told CBS 11. “They wanted a nice good look.”
An investigation by CBS 11 News has prompted New York Senator Charles Schumer to introduce legislation that will mandate the TSA provide “passenger advocates” who will be on duty at all times to respond to complaints at every airport in the country.
The investigation found that female travelers are victims of a “peep show” by TSA workers who are using naked body scanners to target attractive women.
“CBS 11 News dug through more than 500 records of TSA complaints and found a pattern of women who believe that there was nothing random about the way they were selected for extra screening,” states the report, which lists numerous examples of men forcing women to pass through the scanners in a clear pattern of sexual harassment.

“Going through security at our nations airports should not be a humiliating or degrading experience,” remarked Schumer after hearing about the investigation. “Because the TSA has refused to put passenger advocates at our nation’s airports, today I’m introducing legislation that would force them to do so.”
However, critics argue that the position would just be filled by another TSA worker, and that such a program will only be worthwhile if the advocate is independent.
A far better solution would be for airports to take advantage of a newly passed law that enables airports to apply to have TSA screeners evicted altogether.
As we have exhaustively documented, TSA workers tasked with operating naked body scanners have found themselves embroiled in an epidemic of criminality, abuses of power, and sexual perversion, with new cases appearing on an almost daily basis.
These people are the least suitable candidates to be providing security at America’s airports, which makes threats by Democrats and people like Joe Lieberman that a “new 9/11″ will occur if the TSA is marginalized all the more asinine.
*********************

Wow, Homeland has all the fun.

 

[Cigary43]

This is wrong but legislation is not the answer. All they will say is Flying is a privilage not a right and the only way things will improve is if we as a nation say FU to the airlines and take other means of travel.

Money talks and bullshit walks, so if your tired of being treated like a criminal when you fly, don't fly, and write your representitives and the airlines and tell them your "mad as hell and not going to take it anymore!" Once the money starts drying up then you'll see real meaningful action.[/QUOTE]

This! People can get as bent as they want to but nothing changes unless somebody is losing money and then the Rules change quickly. I'd much rather drive 1000 miles in my own peace and quiet ( smoking a good cigar and listening to great tunes ) rather than get up early..be at the airport 2 hours early..deal with the idiots who are getting in my way...then the TSA with their stupid looks and flashlight cop mentality...by the time I would have arrived at my destination I could have relaxed and had a great meal...stopped to tinkle and had some great smokes. As soon as they build that bridge to Hawaii and Europe I'll never fly again.:widemouth

 

[JNT]

Adam Carolla has done some epic rants on these douch bags

 

[Tobacco Giant]

Am I correct that the TSA is a government agency? If I am, I submit that these problems could be cured by outsourcing our airport security.

 

[nhateL]

tsa seems to only make air travel safe for a$$holes and perverts. actually, as both an a$$hole and pervert myself, even i am offended by these people.

hahaha:bouncetau

 

[L8A]

Only thing worse than the TSA is the DMV!!

 

[earnold25]

i believe most TSA employees are contractors.

 

[cartisdm]

TSA? How about just getting f***ing groped by the security officials when trying to get into an NFL football stadium? It blows my mind that they physically pat down (i.e. feel up) every single individual that goes through the gate

 

[veeref]

i believe most TSA employees are contractors.

Prior to September 11, 2001, yes. Today, that's not true. After 9/11, all airports went to TSA screening operated by the Department of Homeland Security. About 4-5 years later, there are 16 airports which use contractors. Most that use these are small-scale airports with relatively light commercial traffic. The main exception to this is San Francisco International.

In regards to the TSA, they were formed as knee-jerk response to the inadequacies that politicians and other government-types perceived with airport screening as a result of the 19 pieces of $hit that hijacked the 4 airliners. Now (like most gov't agencies), they've become this large, bureaucratic government nightmare that does a fairly decent job of screening passengers.

Could it be done better or cheaper by a contractor? Yes. Has airport screening become tedious and a pain-in-the-ass? Yes. Does contraband and other crap still sneak through? Yes. BUT, is it necessary in this day and age? Unfortunately, yes. Why? Because people still want to blow up an airplane. The underwear bomber is the main reason we've seen these backscatter imagers and sniffers used at airports.

Its simply the .01% ruining it for the rest of us, and as a result we have to live with the consequences - including some dubious minded perverts manning our checkpoints.

Plus, I get to experience the full delight of all TSA has to offer every day at work. In respect to your original question Bob, remember that SNL skit where they TSA people question "what constitutes a liquid?" That's the BS that occurs everyday at that place. I had a classmate from college that got hired as an airline pilot but got furloughed after 9/11 and became a TSA screener shortly thereafter for a few years. From how he described, its definitely not a job for the 'thinking' type. Automatons, maybe.

Regards,
Randy

 

[Craig Mac]

I wish we could give rep points on botl because Randy would get one for that post right there!


And the chick was kinda milfy, just sayin....

 

[smokinghole]

Prior to September 11, 2001, yes. Today, that's not true. After 9/11, all airports went to TSA screening operated by the Department of Homeland Security. About 4-5 years later, there are 16 airports which use contractors. Most that use these are small-scale airports with relatively light commercial traffic. The main exception to this is San Francisco International.

In regards to the TSA, they were formed as knee-jerk response to the inadequacies that politicians and other government-types perceived with airport screening as a result of the 19 pieces of $hit that hijacked the 4 airliners. Now (like most gov't agencies), they've become this large, bureaucratic government nightmare that does a fairly decent job of screening passengers.

Could it be done better or cheaper by a contractor? Yes. Has airport screening become tedious and a pain-in-the-ass? Yes. Does contraband and other crap still sneak through? Yes. BUT, is it necessary in this day and age? Unfortunately, yes. Why? Because people still want to blow up an airplane. The underwear bomber is the main reason we've seen these backscatter imagers and sniffers used at airports.

Its simply the .01% ruining it for the rest of us, and as a result we have to live with the consequences - including some dubious minded perverts manning our checkpoints.

Plus, I get to experience the full delight of all TSA has to offer every day at work. In respect to your original question Bob, remember that SNL skit where they TSA people question "what constitutes a liquid?" That's the BS that occurs everyday at that place. I had a classmate from college that got hired as an airline pilot but got furloughed after 9/11 and became a TSA screener shortly thereafter for a few years. From how he described, its definitely not a job for the 'thinking' type. Automatons, maybe.

Regards,
Randy

I would like to agree and disagree. I agree it's "needed" but at the same time, when has this agency EVER prevented someone from getting on the plane? Each and every time the would be attacker/terrorist was caught while sitting on the plane. It wasn't the TSA that caught their asses it was the FAA and the name check lists. So we can sit back and agree to eventual finger pokes in the ass or the country can stand up and say enough is enough. I fucking hate the TSA, this coming from a former Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. I don't normally throw that around (many here know I used to be an EOD tech but some new guys likely don't). So in my formerly professional opinion on terrorist tactics and such, TSA is a veil of security. It's there to make the idiots that voted for Obama, or the eventual idiots that will and are voting for Romney. It's just there as opiates for the masses. If you keep everyone calm by pretending to protect them, you have accomplished a goal. I'm just saying that if someone was determined, the TSA wouldn't catch them. Remember the back scatter shit is random. Our dickhole politicians won't allow us to profile because profiling is discrimination and that's baaad mmmkay. TSA give me a fucking break sheesh.

While I was in Turkey on a USSS mission I was talking shit on the TSA with a few of the agents. One of them had a TSA agent remove his dog from the crate assuming the TSA puke was going to search the crate (mind you this guys is Federal Law Enforcement with a badge and can carry a gun on the plane!) instead the stupid fucking TSA person patted the goddamn dog! If that doesn't scream window licking ignorance I don't know what does.

 

[njstone]

Prior to September 11, 2001, yes. Today, that's not true. After 9/11, all airports went to TSA screening operated by the Department of Homeland Security. About 4-5 years later, there are 16 airports which use contractors. Most that use these are small-scale airports with relatively light commercial traffic. The main exception to this is San Francisco International.

In regards to the TSA, they were formed as knee-jerk response to the inadequacies that politicians and other government-types perceived with airport screening as a result of the 19 pieces of $hit that hijacked the 4 airliners. Now (like most gov't agencies), they've become this large, bureaucratic government nightmare that does a fairly decent job of screening passengers.

Could it be done better or cheaper by a contractor? Yes. Has airport screening become tedious and a pain-in-the-ass? Yes. Does contraband and other crap still sneak through? Yes. BUT, is it necessary in this day and age? Unfortunately, yes. Why? Because people still want to blow up an airplane. The underwear bomber is the main reason we've seen these backscatter imagers and sniffers used at airports.

Its simply the .01% ruining it for the rest of us, and as a result we have to live with the consequences - including some dubious minded perverts manning our checkpoints.

Plus, I get to experience the full delight of all TSA has to offer every day at work. In respect to your original question Bob, remember that SNL skit where they TSA people question "what constitutes a liquid?" That's the BS that occurs everyday at that place. I had a classmate from college that got hired as an airline pilot but got furloughed after 9/11 and became a TSA screener shortly thereafter for a few years. From how he described, its definitely not a job for the 'thinking' type. Automatons, maybe.

Regards,
Randy

Good post. The problem is that national security in general and TSA in particular have become completely re-active. They need to change policy big-time and become mostly pro-active instead.

In other words, they need to spend most of their time screening those who are more likely to be causing problems. Leave the American women and kids alone, heck leave most of the men alone too. Focus instead on people who've been to Morocco in the last year, were born in Syria, are here on student or work visas, etc etc.

The fact is that those who've threatened our travel security in the last decade plus have fallen into certain categories. People in those categories need to be screened heavier than the rest of us. That's not "profiling," it's just common sense. It sucks for the people in those categories who are mostly innocent, but this is the only way to be pro-active about screening.

If we were at war with, say, Russia, don't you think people with Russian accents would be screened more heavily? And rightly so. There would need to be a system of checks in place to make sure they were still treated properly, but of course they would be screened more heavily. Well, we ARE at war with Islamic Fundamentalism, so people with potential ties and recent travels to such countries, etc., need to be screened more heavily (no matter what color they are).

 

[pnoguy]

Well, we ARE at war with Islamic Fundamentalism

Small point, perhaps, but we're actually at war with Islamic Extremism. TSA= Security Theater.