Why does everyone blame TSA?

Question

Why is it everyone thinks it's TSA that makes up the rules on what can and can't be taken through the checkpoint, and taking off shoes? Anyone smart enough to know that it's the people you voted into congress that are telling us what the rules are. All our rules come from Washington DC, and yet everyday we have to hear "why are you doing this" or "TSA won't let me". It gets really aggrivating, I enjoy my job and take it serious, 9/11 affected me and my family and I don't want to see it happen again.

I'm a TSA Officer and all rules come from Washington, which are from the Department of Homeland Security, which need some approval from someone.

HELLO people I work for TSA and think the rules are great, I also think they need to take away any powders also, like baby powder, powder make-up, foot powder etc.

Ok Ralph, I know for a fact I'm not stupid, I have a degree in Criminal Justice and have a high IQ, I am not one that has the power kick of authority, I tend to maybe get mean when passengers want to get mean at me, not all TSA employees are dumb, but yes I know I work with a few and it drives me crazy, I'm also not in the state of which I grew up, and know that where I live now, the people are not very smart.

Additional lines can only be open if the amount of personnel are there for one, second I never said that some of the officers weren't rude and dumb, but why be hateful to everyone that works for TSA? As far as the liquids thing, it's not the officers making the rules, we are passed information that comes from the people who I say get paid to much money to sit on their rears and think. All the rules that we do we get from our big wigs that have never ever stepped foot into a checkpoint to see how things go. I guess I just don't want to feel hated for something someone else, somewhere else did.

Answer 1

The TSA is a government agency, that creates these rules. Congress has nothing to do with it, except that it funds what the TSA wants, and it created the TSA. The TSA makes the rules. whether you lik ethem or not is a matter of opinion.

Answer 2

I would ditto what the others have said, and give you a few examples from my own experience that show why I'm personally frustrated with TSA:

- TSA personnel are often seen in groups or individually taking breaks, having meetings, standing around, doing anything but opening another line to expedite passenger/employee screening.

- TSA personnel insist that the metal detector arches are calibrated the same at every checkpoint at every airport, but they are NOT. As a pilot, I pass through hundreds of the things, and there's great variation in what sets them off. There are some airports where I can leave my keys in my pocket and others where I have to remove every scrap of metal, down to my small belt buckle.

- For a couple of years TSA publicly insisted that removing shoes was optional, and screeners would say something like, "If you don't remove your shoes, you *may* be subject to additional screening" (implying that if you don't alarm, you're fine). Hogwash! I never saw anyone (other than airport/airline employees) wear shoes through the arch and *not* get additional screening.

- At some small airports, airline crew members are able to bypass security and access the aircraft by passing throught the airline's operations office. Why not at all airports? Every crew member undergoes an FBI background check before the airline is allowed to issue them an ID card, and many of the pilots are ex-military and held security clearances. Transport Canada has issued every airline crew member an ID card with biometric information embedded in it, which allows positive identification of a trusted employee, eliminating the need for screening and decreasing the load on screeners. TSA has so far refused to consider such a program in the U.S.

- When TSA first took over airport security, they were conducting "random" additional screening at boarding gates. My parents, both military veterans, were *always* selected. That is, until they stopped using their military IDs and began using their driver's licenses. There's also the story about the team of Marines escorting the remains of a fellow Marine home for burial. They were wearing full dress uniforms and were made to virtually disrobe in full view of the public. Unconscionable behavior on the part of TSA. Where's the common sense? When was the last time a Marine funeral detail with valid military IDs and written travel orders hijacked or blew up a plane?

- On more than one occasion, I've had TSA employees treat me with disrespect. I've been literally shouted at (I was walking toward a checkpoint in what I thought was an employee line -- sorry, my mistake!), been ordered around without so much as a "please" or "thank you" and had my request for hand screening of a delicate item ignored, then been glared at when I politely asked that they stop treating the item roughly.

- Here's an example of stupidity from the very top of TSA management. On the Thursday morning after the Brits arrested the "liquid bombers" and the new restrictions on liquids and gels went into effect, there was no exemption for airline crew members. No one at TSA was bright enough to think, "Gee, if we take away all the airline crew members' toiletries, they'll have to buy new stuff EVERY SINGLE NIGHT." That morning, two of our flight attendants lost nearly $100 each in brand new cosmetics they'd bought from an outlet store the night before, and we all lost our toothpaste, deodorant, hair gel, etc., etc., etc. Why?

In short, everyone blames TSA for TSA's screw-ups. The news media has been full of stories about TSA's failures to bring new screening technology online in a timely manner, and their failures to find test articles purposely passed through their detection equipment. Pure incompetence.

Many of TSA's screening staff appear to enjoy the air of authority their position gives them; they *love* weilding power over other people. They're often surly and they treat passengers with contempt.

I guess that's enough.

Grrrrr!!!

Answer 3

Because despite the dangers no one wants to be inconvenienced. They are self centered and only want to get from point A to point B as fast as they can. You must be one of them. When TSA is trying to keep them safely by following the rules. We are in danger still despite what people think. We don't know all the facts but their are still terrorist cells in the US and other countries. Letting down our guards at airports will equal more attacks. Do you want to die?
People need to grow up.

Answer 4

I agree: ultimately, Congress is responsible. Having said that, it seems to me that TSA employs a lot of morons to staff the airports. They are very unreasonable and don't seem to understand the purpose underlying the rules.

I think a TSA tends to attract a certain type of person. (enjoys authority; enjoys bossing people around)

Answer 5

Thank you John! Great answer!