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TSA forces Richmond airport to issue access badge to convicted felon
In today's episode of "what did the TSA do this time?", the agency is under fire for not only hiring a convicted felon, but demanding that his assigned airport issue him an access badge. The unidentified TSA employee was hired by the agency after passing their background checks - but when he applied for his airport badge, Richmond airport turned him down, citing a conviction for robbery when he was 18.
When the airport denied the badge application, the TSA demanded that they reconsider, citing "unspecified consequences" if they refused. To me, this sounds an awful lot like blackmail.
The employee had not mentioned the conviction on his TSA application, and it doesn't look like it it would have mattered, because the TSA claims he actually committed the crime when he was 17, and that they don't really care about a conviction at that age.
The airport access badge is required to obtain access to the "sterile" area of the airport, including the baggage sorting areas and airline parking spots. Of course, the job of a TSA agent also includes passenger and luggage screening - something convicted felons should not be allowed to do if you ask me.
Politicians are now getting involved, and U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor has asked the TSA to clarify their actions. Given the recent bad press for the TSA, it never ceases to amaze me how they continue to screw up, creating even more bad PR. Lesson to be learned? If you are a criminal planning to protect our skies, make sure you don't commit any crimes after your 18th birthday.
What do you think?
| Yes - assuming they paid their price to society | |
|---|---|
| No way - these people are in charge of our security |
Filed under: North America, United States, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
patriots1167@aol.com Feb 7th 2010 11:56AM
DAN:
You hit the nail RIGHT on the head! When you intenionally DO NOT list any crimes on your application it is "deceitful" application. The apps don't say, "Were you convicted of a crime (10) yrs. ago?" It's not specific. It says ANY crime means from the time you were born until current. He didn't list it....end of story...he's terminated. Period! There are some Federal Jobs you WON'T get (ever) and that's just the way it is. Whether they're "sorry" or they say, "I was young and stupid..." OK, but if your PARENTS didn't teach you right from wrong...then...YOU pay the consequences and what we must reiterate in TODAY's society to these juveniles...YOU DO A CRIME (whatever it is)...YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for what you do for your ENTIRE life and that's that. DO NOT do something that you will later have to apologise for. The problem with society today is not enough Parental involvement (discipline) to when they become Adults. So sorry for this fool who wants to "whine" about how he owns (2) successful businesses now and he was convicted of a Felony for forging $186 check. Was it worth it? If he was going to take a chance he would've been no far worse than signing a $11,860 check and he would've received the same Felony charges. DUMB! It's (former) military like you and me that need to set the "Zero Tolerance" standard and make sure the vibrations are sent right up to the top Mgmnt. of TSA and the White House!
bungydiver Feb 7th 2010 11:46AM
John....point very well taken. And, I might say, more articulately than I'm used to seeing on these posts. There are circumstances that can find almost any one of us using momentary poor judgement...sometimes this lapse is met with severe consequences. But...as with a loan, once your "debt" is paid off, it should be put behind you and allowed to stay there. It is what we do, not what we did that really matters.
I have a son who is now serving time as a felon because of one of those "circumstances" I mentioned and a no-tolerance violation in which the system would not look beyond the "facts." I am encouraged by reading your post that there is hope for him in the future, and that he, too, may flourish. I wish there was a way for him to get your guidance and support when he returns to an apparently unfriendly world. He will need all the help he can get.
My best wishes to you. Bungydiver...here at AOL.
jim Feb 7th 2010 7:08AM
It appears that the operators of the airport have a better system than TSA. It is especially worrying about blackmail threats from a government agency. Sounds like the applicant had an influential supporter.
BTDT Feb 7th 2010 8:07AM
"Sounds like the applicant had an influential supporter."
___________________________________________
It starts with O and rhymes with Mama.
danzillo4 Feb 7th 2010 7:15AM
This should also apply to politicians as they can come out of prison for taking bribes and such and are allowed to run for office again! Double standards! What would we expect from lawyers who write the laws that benefit them....
schubroc Feb 7th 2010 7:47AM
Seems to me, we could be selective when we want and that is when it sounds like this story is NEWS Worthy! Let's look at a few things, George was President and convicted of some crimes in his younger years, nobody complained about that. Dick shot his buddy, but we call it an accident. Seems like the stories and situation are selective when it comes down to what will get the attention of anyone who loves to hear trashy News. Well, good for us who do buy into your article. How bout finding some good in people and report on that instead of trying to slam TSA every opportunity you get. The Great Charles Barkley said it BEST! Some News, Article, and Reporters are TRASHY! Don't you be.
JustUnderstand Feb 18th 2010 10:45PM
I so agree with you. America seems to be one of the most unforgiving places on earth. People can't make mistakes anymore without being bashed - even if it was decades ago. People can't say ANYTHING anymore without having to make a public apology; and the media blows everything out of proportion (starting with ambiguous headlines) just to get their articles read and start a mob. People crave NEGATIVE news!
I am an American and I shake my head at how things have changed so much. Life didn't used to be so uptight. Now, EVERYTHING seems to warrant an apology. Even using the word "midget" now warrants an apology. You have to say, "Little People". Halle Berry once said on a talk show that a picture of her that was taken in a mirrored funhouse made her look like her Jewish cousin. The next day, such a big thing was made out of that statement that she had to make a public apology. WHY????
I know I digress here, but can we PLEASE lighten up??? ONE bad judgement in life made years ago does not necessarily mean that a person is still that same person. What? Is he NEVER supposed to be hired again by any employer? I will admit he was wrong to lie; but it is really ashame that he felt he HAD to lie because of how unforgiving people seem to be. It's not safe to make mistakes anymore in life. People will never let you live it down!
King David Feb 7th 2010 8:42AM
TO ALL OF YOU POSTERS: Go rent, buy, or borrow the movie "Wag the Dog", watch it, and learn. Not only are the actors superb but the plot is something that most of you need as a reference to all of the crap that is going on today, EVERYWHERE!!! GOOD MOVIE ABOUT REAL LIFE.
RayZorCWB Feb 8th 2010 8:03AM
Let me guess, your political affiliation? A Democrat... How meanial... Your transparent. Has no Democrat done anything wrong? Guess not!!! Keep it 100.
Truth Man Feb 7th 2010 1:01PM
How about Ted Kennedy killing Mary Jo Kopeckne? Or doesn't that matter because he was a liberal?
mlredd Feb 7th 2010 7:50AM
There is just another of many many reasons why the government can not run health care or much of anything else in it's current state of mind and position.
richard Feb 7th 2010 8:02AM
Why does everyone assume that he is some monster? People who have a felony conviction may have been in bad circumstances and made a stupid mistake. If he has paid his debt to society, shouldn't he be allowed to find suitable work? Most convicted felons cannot find suitable employment and end up falling back into trouble. It has been a very long time and if no other problems have arisen, then he should be hired. Depending upon the application question, he may or may not have lied on the application. That is a different issue altogether. Still, a fair application process would look at the whole person, his abilities, and his past accomplishments and failures alike, to decide if the person is suitable for the employment.
FSHNT21 Feb 7th 2010 8:12AM
SOUNDS LIKE A PERFECT CANDIDATE FOR BARRY'S CABINET...
ruler777 Feb 7th 2010 8:21AM
The TSA employees steal from passengers. They are not policed properly. They act like bullies at times when it is unnecessary and unwarranted. The airlines have millions of dollars in claims against them for missing items in luggage after their inspections.
ldystrge Feb 7th 2010 9:26AM
When I was hired to work for a major airline as a ramp agent, I had to fill out enough paperwork for more than one person, and had to account for more than I could remember. It was horrible, then I had to wait for weeks to be approved by the airline, the airport, as well as the FAA, it sounds like the TSA isn't near as good as it needs to be investigating it's possible employees! Shouldn't they be better than most?! This is going to be what causes problems, employees whom shouldn't be there, not caring, paying little attention, and unfortunately a planeful of innocent people are going to pay the price! Keeping in mind, however that any employee with access to the "sterile" area and airplane cargo and baggage could be persuaded for the right price to add an extra piece of dangerous cargo to the plane after everthing has cleared security!
DarrenInDC Feb 7th 2010 8:37AM
Let's not forget that the Obama adminstration also wants to hire formerly convicetd felons to work for the Census this year. All of it is part of the Democrats' desire to keep the nation's black population in self-dooming lockstep support of their party.
sandman Feb 7th 2010 9:48AM
its either that or we take it from your punk a^*...by default YOU ALL are being out bred on a worldwide basis...and everybody has nukes.this is why there is so much compromise amongst super powers...keep watchin your hunting shows while all these other countries are churning out engineers and scientists by the droves! spoiled bitc#%s
Jeremy Feb 7th 2010 11:20AM
what a pompous ass!! you really have no clue what it takes to actually be labled a felon these days. do you? its people like you and most of the pricks running our country that make it damned near impossible for anyone to start over if they've ever had a felony conviction. it could be one extra drink of a beer that makes you over the legal limit to drive. if that happens twice, boom, instant felon. as far as i'm aware, montana is the only place that has a slight understanding of this. Once you complete your sentence, basically re-pay your debt to society, you get your rights returned to you. I stole parts for my vehicle when i was a stupid seventeen year old and because of it I will never have the right to vote on something i believe in, never be able to serve my country in a time of war, never be able to return to a full life. all because of assholes like you that think you are so much better than everybody else. I have not been in trouble since my conviction aver 14 years ago. I have my own business and a beautiful family. Yet, I can never have a voice on how the government wants to run our lives. and believe me, they do run it. I love my country to death and I will die for it, but our present government scares me. If you would quit looking down that nose of yours at anybody who might have made a mistake in the past, and start looking at where we are heading as a country it would scare you too.so please, separate your butt cheeks, withdraw your head, take a deep breath of fresh air , and do something to make a difference. many of us that are willing are no longer able. Thanks to a decade and a half old felony.
melbagman Feb 7th 2010 8:34AM
1) He was 18 (or 17 ) when he broke the law
2) He was convicted and paid the price for his actions
3) How long ago was his conviction (meaning how old is he / she now )
4) It appears that the person is trying to work an honest job now
5) I believe he is at least an American
News flash, airports have so many "foriegn" workers that have been BADGED to work inside the "sterile" areas of the airport. Even though the airport does back ground checks on these "foriegn" people who really knows if they were not convicted felons or criminals from their countries but there just isn't record of a crime that Badging background checks can find ?
don Feb 7th 2010 8:37AM
I worked in airports around the country, the average TSA worker is only 1 step above the average mcdonalds worker.