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TSA releases operating procedures document - fails to redact top secret information
Recently, the Transportation Security Administration finally released a document containing their "standard operating procedures". The document describes the basics on how the agency operates airport security. It's all pretty boring stuff, and despite page after page of details, there isn't much in the document that hasn't already been discussed before. What makes this document interesting is that the TSA redacted portions of it deemed classified and only available to people on a "need to know" basis. Unfortunately, the person in charge of the redacting this classified information failed to pay attention during Adobe PDF class, because he or she hid the information under a simple black box. This is the dumbest way to hide information, because the text itself is still under that box, and can be viewed with a simple cut/paste job.
The document in question has already been pulled by the agency, but many sites grabbed it and posted it themselves. I'll stop short of linking directly to the document in question, but I'm pretty sure a quick Google search can help you out.
Update: as a commenter points out, the release of this document was not intended for the general public, but was still placed out in the open anyway...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bstill Dec 8th 2009 8:52PM
The thought occurs to me that it might be worth investigating the person or persons who actually posted the information.
I'm wondering if the TSA itself might not be infiltrated. They're certainly compromised.
I'm sure Al Qaeda would do this if it were at all possible.
As I see it they'll stop at nothing and National Security better go to a heightened level of security. Al Qaeda will certainly recognize a moment of vulnerability and if a plan is in place this could spell trouble!
Alpha O'Mega Dec 8th 2009 8:57PM
I worked for these assholes and there is not a more incompetent group of weasels on this planet than the TSA.
LH Dec 8th 2009 9:17PM
Well, I work for the TSA NOW and after reading your comments, I'm glad that YOU don't work with us anymore. Any agency is as competent as its workers, so good riddance to you!
Pat Dec 8th 2009 10:36PM
I am glad you said that because my husband worked for TSA for while and he did the best damned job that he could to train his people for YOUR safety moron!
Be glad there are people and no organization is perfect and I am glad you don't work for them either any longer!
jh Dec 8th 2009 10:14PM
this & the recent White House eposde proves what frequent travelers have known for a long time--the words 'government' and 'security' cannot occur in the same sentence.
Gary Dempsey Dec 8th 2009 10:46PM
Yeah, Wolfman! And after we fire the whole TSA and Pres. Obama, we'll next fire the whole Army chain of command, 'cuz they couldn't even protect our heroic soldiers and lady soldiers from just one (possibly) Al Queda-influenced shrink. I'm sure that good conservative types could run the Army better than who we have in there now. Did I also hear that Gen. McChrystal is OK with Obama's latest 'Ghan Plan?? And, BTW, didn't a certain "leading voice on the right" just release a book with a picture of himself in some kind of military uniform? Make HIM the Army Chief-of-Staff, with Pres./Commander-in-Chief Palin! That's the way!!
Daniel Dec 8th 2009 10:37PM
In the 1930's Hitler created an agency to "inspect" travelers in the name of security. They wore brown uniforms and were able to catch the enemy in public areas. You know, Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, Catholics, and anyone else that didn't fit into the master plan.
I really don't see much difference between then and now.
mario Dec 8th 2009 11:18PM
dont see the difference now? lol how about we dont torture then in concentration camps and kill them anymore.
Daniel Dec 9th 2009 12:39AM
You sure about that?
Try watching the news, or just look up CIA rendition.
Anon Dec 8th 2009 11:59PM
we just lock them up in Gitmo for years on end and waterboard them till they die or give up useless information.
gram23 Dec 8th 2009 11:51PM
My son-in-law works for TSA and I know for a fact they are under appreciated.It is the grovernment entity that runs TSA who is all messed up. Besides, why does anyone think a terrorist would be so dumb as to try the same thing twice. Next time they will be looking for something entirely different to catch us off balance/
Bstill Dec 9th 2009 12:21AM
I'm not so sure. What about the old adage that the best place to commit a crime or act of terrorism is right underneath their noses?
Dan Dec 9th 2009 10:48PM
"the person in charge of the redacting this classified information failed to pay attention during Adobe PDF class, because he or she hid the information under a simple black box. This is the dumbest way to hide information, because the text itself is still under that box, and can be viewed with a simple cut/paste job."
The moron can loose the job now, many qualified applicants are lining up for it.
Lou Dec 9th 2009 5:56PM
Please do not criticise the TSA. Remember they are the ones with the brains We are only the sheeps,roaming throu out the country.
shay Dec 9th 2009 11:02AM
I think we need Tsa! I am sure alot of crime has been cut down due to the implement of security we have now.
A~ Dec 9th 2009 12:54AM
I worked for TSA...which stands for Thousands Standing Around or Take Shit Away. It's a joke. I have watched co-workers steal jewelry, fall asleep on the x-ray, and at the walk through metal detector, etc. They are so incompetent. When the manager of our airport asked me if they could do anything to get me to stay, I told him to fire the rest of those poorly trained, pathetic people that treat others like shit. They now have their metal badges, and they think they are law enforcement. They're NOT. Your airports are NOT safe. Doesn't matter how much training they go through....when tested for renewal of employment, each year, the folks at McCarran fail almost 50% of their officers.
And the SOP....you might as well hand it to the passengers. I've told people how to get their water, juice, etc through the checkpoint. How to get your knives through....it's not safe people. If someone wants to take something through, they'll find a way. TSA is not keeping you safe. You can bad mouth me all you want and say you're glad I don't work their any longer. Believe me, I'm really glad I don't work there.
Z Dec 9th 2009 1:32PM
As with any agency, organization or comapny there are good and not so good people within. I'm sure there are many great employees with the TSA and thank goodness they are there to do the job. The pay isn't the greatest and they do the best they can to attract qualified individuals. Some do fall thru the cracks though which shouldn't happen with a security agency. Like the TSA dope that damaged 9 of our planes and put them out of service for up to two weeks while we repaired them. The guy thought he would expose us for security breaches by showing how he could climb up into the planes as they sat over night on the tarmac by using various sensitive probes as the TAT, PITOT and Ice detectors as hand and foot holds. You think he would figure out that you couldn't and that he was doing damage after just one plane but no he had to damage 9 planes. Forget that you have to get thru 2 levels of security one of which is maned by them. All that said I know of many good and well qualified TSA employees.
J Dec 9th 2009 2:11AM
complain about the TSA all you want but the fact of the matter is this, you all here about what test they fail or all the mistakes that makes there way to media, all the failed numbers......the one thing people need not to forget, 0, thats the number of hijacked planes in the U.S since the TSA was implemented. But nobody cares about security anyway they just want to make there flight. guess it'll take another tragedy before they are re appreciated. If you dont like there security arrangements catch a bus, or shut up geesh
pam Dec 9th 2009 3:40AM
i think your comment says it all they are the most stupid group of people that i have ever come in contact with. They need real help but your comment was outstanding and your right they must get there employees off of a list of rejects that think they are rulers of the air way. But to here them tell it they have the right to spit on you and if you do not jump through there hoops then they will sent you to jail they are true Rent a Cops
willybob22124 Dec 9th 2009 8:31AM
We spend multiple billions of dollars each year on airport security that is not needed. Once you make the cockpits of airliners secure, what's left to worry about? OK, once in a blue moon some nut might bring a bomb aboard and blow everything to smithereens, but the plane can't be used as a weapon so long as the cockpit remains off-limits to would be perpetrators. We're paying for protection we don't require. Bombs can be planted anywhere. What's special about planes? Anyone remember the last time someone blew up a plane for no reason?