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Yet another TSA failure - missing uniforms and badges
Several days ago I wrote about a TSA inspector who was helping himself to expensive items from our luggage. And today, a report issued by a government watchdog agency reveals that TSA staffers also seem to be pretty lax when it comes to items provided to them by their employer. One of the most startling pieces of news in the report is that ex-TSA workers are not always returning their security badges, which can be used to enter "sterile areas" of the airport. They are also frequently keeping their uniforms. Amazingly, the TSA does not always seem to be in a hurry to get them back.
To me, this news just adds to the incompetence that is the Transportation Security Administration. In any corporate environment, access badges are linked directly to the HR system. When a staff member is terminated, or leaves the company, their badge has to be returned and it is deactivated. I find it beyond comprehension that ID badges used by people with access to the airport are not controlled by a central organization or that they don't get the police involved when badges or uniforms are not promptly returned.
At the same time you and I are being searched for illegal bottles of water and nail clippers, there are TSA airport ID's and uniforms unaccounted for. Forget the threat from the traveling public, before you know it we'll need a TSA for the TSA.
As usual, TSA chief Kip Hawley is taking matters "seriously" and he announced that the "TSA shares the interest in improving their processes". Thankfully there is some legislation in the pipeline that should increase oversight of who gets into the airport. In light of recent events, I also hope they take a close look at what gets out of the airport.
Souce: USA Today
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Filed under: Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Emland Oct 16th 2008 12:11PM
That was true when I resigned in 2003. I went to the main office to turn in my uniforms and ID and no one was interested in taking them. I asked them "Don't you want to count these?" and was told to just pile them up on a shelf. I hand wrote a makeshift affadavit for the manager to sign that said I turned in x amount of shirts/pants. It was a concern to me then and I see they have made no efforts to tighten security in that area.
The ID cards should be turned in, but are useless once the PIN has been deactivated. (Of course, that is if the person who is responsible for deacivating it does so in a timely manner.)
janice Oct 19th 2008 2:25PM
I also had 2 pairs of diamond earrings stolen while my bag was being searched. Not to mention that they separated my 12 year old daughter and myself and a male TSA was going to touch search her. I adamantly was upset and while I was upset and speaking up about this I could not pay attention to my bag being searched. Therefore they helped themselves. I dont trust any of them. Our airlines are no safer.
Paul Oct 16th 2008 8:13PM
Oh look! Another "Lets bash TSA" article because its good press right? God yes it has issues it was built together overnight with Popsicle sticks and spit and glue and then was meant to be temporary. They have the worse pay system in the government and treated like the bastard child of it as well. You have the worse hours in the world and its a huge agency on top of all that. And then lets get all shocked and surprised when "Oh noes! There was a thief in checked baggage!" Hey guess what? There has always been theft in checked baggage long before TSA and guess who is still doing most of the theft in baggage? SO yes we had a couple of criminals who worked and are working for us just like every company and business and agency out there. People suck its a fact of life get over it, its not limited to TSA so stop trying to make us feel like retarded monkeys some of us actually do try and do a good job.
Oh and buy the way a more rigorous check for uniforms is in place with the roll out of the new uniforms so they did already go ahead and resolved an issue they knew about. And since the SIDA badges are the domain of the Airport and not TSA how each airport handles SIDA badges is different. Maybe its just deactivated at some airports making it a useless piece of plastic who knows, but hey who care its an article about how stupid TSA employees are and that's all that's important right?
siyayo Oct 19th 2008 2:21PM
I believe that TSA employeees are glorified baggage handlers who are overpaid and that travelers like me have to pay extra for their salaries. Their jobs can be done more efficiently by private contractors and we do not have to pay extra for their efforts.
susie Oct 19th 2008 2:42PM
What a timely article after just hosting a wedding reception for my daughter and her new Swiss husband and thier Swiss extended family and friends. How embarrassing that EVERY ARTICLE OF ANY VALUE WHAT-SO-EVER was lifted from their luggage in the Memphis airport. I have NO SYMPATHY for the TSA employee who just posted. I recommend security camaras pointed straight at the TSA worker examining the luggage and random tracking devices planted into articles of value.
Max Spencer Oct 19th 2008 2:50PM
Wanted: Thieves to work for for government contractor. Must be willing to work in airport without supervision.
Carol Oct 20th 2008 2:10PM
While we are on the subject of TSA agents...Why do they think yelling at you about what to do is necessary or appropriate. I travel for work almost every week. I can remove my laptop, my clear plastic pouch of liquids, and my shoes (always slip ons) and put them in the appropriate bins in a matter of about 9 seconds and send them on their way through the conveyor belt. Yet I am still subjected to being yelled at to do these things. People who don't travel so frequently can't do it as quickly, but yelling doesn't make them able to do it any faster. Interestingly, at airports where TSA agents do not yell, things don't go any slower than where they do.
bastard from s.d. Oct 19th 2008 3:33PM
Bastards ???, its not my fault my mother did not abort me. But even a bastard is smart enough not to fly unlees they are flying there own plane. Why would anyone trust any airline to get you and your luggage to the place you where going to safe. They do not care... Get real they have all kinds off stuff in luggage, including frieght that could have most anything in it. Water bottles why cant persons know that buying water is the biggest scam ever. Water is everywhere. They have water on planes that are grem free. So many little dumb things. But still who is flying the plane. Also whats in the planes luggage. Would you fly knowing that if a person that might be a terroist on the plane and the goverment will shot it down if any problems. Not me, slow down take a second look at your life and see if being in a hurry is worth being aborted because someone did not do there job. They never have and as I can see they never will unless an airline takes charge off there airplanes and the persons working for them. I bet the airlines when they have a problem they blame some other department for an escape goat when something does go wrong. Do you really feel safe flying ???, Any one can make or buy a uniform duh, The Bastard from South Dakota.