Consumerist: TSA Agent Retrieves Cellphone From Locked Car, Hands To You At Gate

That's what I thought too - she must mean Air Marshals but then she said her brother the pilot was going to retire early because he couldn't put up with this crap any longer and that got me to thinking - if the TSA is wandering through the airport chatting up people, do you think they put them on the planes too?

 

Part of the problem but cut off the head and the beast dies.

 

No. If Pistole or Napolitano are removed, there is no shortage of underlings ready to step up and keep right on groping.

 

I have never heard of a situation like the one described in the article. I can make no postulation on what happened as I only have the account from the person coming through. The only time I can think of that something like this would happen is if there were an Amber alert in the area that matched the individuals involved, and if that were the case, I am sure there would have been more commentary involved and an ensuing LEO interaction. I have nothing on this one.

 

I think it's pretty simple. Lots of TSA employees are corrupt and lie about anything and everything. If the story is true as stated then I suggest another case of extremely poor supervison on TSA's part is evident.

 

All.

Some of them even lie to themselves about why they're doing the "work" they're doing.

 

I was holding out hope that there was at least one honest TSA employee. I am an optimist!

 

Honest to whom? You? Or to themselves?

Any current TSA employee who believes they're doing something useful is delusional - i.e., lying to themselves...

 

Rugape -- This made me wonder... Are TSA screeners mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect? Mandatory reporters (teachers, doctors, etc.) have to take a class to understand the indicators of abuse and neglect, and then are legally required to report cases they suspect to CPS (at least in the states in which I've been a mandatory reporter) through a specific procedure. Screening for kidnapped children isn't exactly the same thing, but there are indeed appropriate and inappropriate ways to identify and interact with children who are victims. If TSA screeners are increasingly put in the position of operating a criminal dragnet, and yet they don't have adequate training for dealing with children they suspect of being victims, there's the potential for children and families who get mistakenly snared to be put through an unnecessary miserable experience, which has the potential to be equally as damaging as the abuse that was initially suspected. I also think it would be unfair for screeners to feel like they're supposed to save the poor children if they don't have the skills necessary to take part in doing so.

I understand you said the scenario in question didn't make any sense to you. I'm just trying to get a sense of what a kidnap screening operation at the checkpoint would entail, beyond asking children to state their names.

 

I am aware of no required reporting of abuse in the position I am in. I know that some positions carry that type of requirement, but this one does not that I know of. The only thing I know of (as far as reporting) is if you observe an individual that appears to be the subject of an Amber alert - notify the LEOs. They have been trained on handling those situations, and it's the best way to go about resolving it one way or the other. I am (of course) speaking from personal experience. As stated, the initial scenario makes no sense to me at all, if I were to observe an individual that I thought may be the subject of an Amber alert, I would contact the LEOs and let them handle it (as that is what I have been instructed to do, and is also the smartest thing to do).

 

I can see where you would make that case. I don't think as many employees are corrupt as you probably do, but based on charges and such, to think that no employee was corrupt would be unrealistic. I also do not think that unprofessionalism is as rampant as you do, but again, based on things that are printed and charges and such - thinking none of the workforce is unprofessional is similarly unrealistic.

 

Agreed 100%! Gee, Rugape, I wish Ron could be more like you...just wishin'!

 

phoebepontiac - Im not a 100% but TSA are not under manditory reporting, but considering TSA penchant for blowing smoke & pulling BS out of there (expletive deleted) anythings possible. Manditory reporting is a double edge sword in that when its done and done right all the bases are covered, but if not done right you leave alot of holes that can get one nailed to the wall seven ways to sunday civilly and criminally.

 

Ron is his own entity, colored by his own experiences. Wouldn't things be boring if we all looked at things the same way? Ron and I agree on many things but he has a different way of getting his point across - just think of him as a different point of view with a different way of going about it - which is entirely his right. How boring would it be if all of the folks that disagree with me on something spoke exactly like you? Wait, that came out wrong now it sounds like I am calling you boring! I think that Ron adds something to the discussion, just like Boggie Dog and you and all of the other members here add to the discussion because all of you make valid points (at least some of the time). Cheers!