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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 6 of 6)
Hussein Feb 7th 2010 1:35PM
awww...the poor guy just robbed someone......the victim didn't need what was stolen from him anyway. Maybe that halfbreed Kenyan in the whitehouse, can give this poor fellow a full pardon
leslie dosik Feb 7th 2010 2:50PM
I have been a flight attendant for (too) many years. As I pass thru security I am always reminded that the two most plentiful elements on earth are nitrogen and stupidity. 1. A pilot is not allowed to carry his/her Swiss Army knife on board. Even the armed pilots (who carry guns). But s/he's being armed with an airplane. One had his hair gel confiscated. 2. Before a pilot can be certified to carry a weapon, (s)he must take a psychological test. If (s)he fails, (s)he can't carry a weapon but still gets to fly the plane.3. Ten "Mid-Eastern"passengers showed up, boughtn one-way tickets for cash & had no luggage (lga-dfw, 2002. friend's flight).Were removed, interviewed & cleared to fly. Same week, geezer in wheelchair in south Florida was denied boarding 'cause he had no gov't. issued ID (wheelchair-bound he had no driver license). Guess there was no PC issue with the old man. So sad.
kermit Feb 7th 2010 2:03PM
What happened to people deserving a second chance. Just because a person makes a mistake in life does not mean that he or she can NEVER be a decent moral human being again, People CAN and DO change for the good all the time. this story does not tell us the age of the applicant but if he/she has lived the last part of their lives as decent upstanding moral citizens then I for one believe that they deserve a second chance at life. Tell me what do you think is an appropriate job for a felon? where can a really good person and a really good employee work if he's made one stupid mistake many years ago. does a person have to serve time for the rest of his life. when can you forgive him his sins.
James Kossow Feb 7th 2010 8:39PM
I worked in Chicago for 38 years for an Airline, and I trave alot. I could tell you stories about TSA. TSA, wanting to hire FELONS, is nothing new, is anyone aware that the first 6 to 8 months that TSA started THAT NONE of there agents had back ground checks. People who had anything missing from there bags during that time should file a claim against TSA.
Dont let TSA tell you to pass thru there x ray machine till YOU see your carry on pass thru the baggage Xray machine FIRST. Remember, if TSA doesnt have trust in you, you should NOT trust the person behind you. Watch your baggage, the person behind you and above all TSA. Remember TSA, are the same caliber of person that was hired 25 years ago, just a differant uniform. Make work jobs.
Check the Chicago Tribune newspaper about a murder on the CTA by a TSA agent.
Ron Feb 7th 2010 2:19PM
It was stated by one of the above that he has a right to a job. This term is thrown aroun loosely. The only "rights" you have are those given to you by the bill of rights. All others are privileges granted to you by doing the right things. If he had not screwed up he would not be in this fix. Also, the person who demanded that he be given the pass, and threatened the airport, commited a crime. They should go out with him, all the way to the unemployment line.
Charles Feb 7th 2010 2:24PM
****American 2-7-10 @ 9:45am****...."rehabilitation" (?) OH PA LEEZ (oh poilice....4 all u OTHER stick up the as tipes) "OUR" jail (loosly) "system" IS NOTHING but(t) "OUR" indonisa (makin / compeating with the likes of jeans co.s / (NOT)free labor) and the ONLY rehab IS IF "they" get their GED....****GARY 2-7-10 @12:29pm****...."AMEN" (and woman)....****outlaw j w 2-7-10 @12:40pm****....and ur ma should have had an abortion too....as for this article....1st how about the "kid" that did (supposedly) web virus S**T and then went on to make the prog that searches out pedofiles (maybe tsa has a good reason 4 this guy on payroll)....and there IS another rub (no pun int) when "US" pile in to the same basket the KID (16) who had a "girlfrend" (15 / parents fault) along with the 60 yr old doing his kids....OH and then there IS the (at least here in ct) mention of "black mail" NOT a charge (lumped under fraud) as IS the gov #1 tactic....1) (is bad) take someone who DID something worst (ie marion barry / u know she had done SOMETHING REAL BAD to do that) and find SOMEONE (else) 4 "them" to make their job on (income / afflicted / addicted / STRUMM until dance the dance "them" want)....2) (Is worst) threat to kid (spittin on ground / weed etc) to get him to (do cops job) rat ANYONE out in his neighborhood (PUTTIUN HIS LIFE ON LINE or exposin him to THAT culture)....cj duh dj
dineen Feb 7th 2010 3:48PM
Scott Carmichael is either a complete idiot and a naive tightass or a paid shill of the private prison industry (not letting people work means more crime, hence, more business for our profitable privat prisons! Who cares about what is best for society? I say half of the people who agree with him must be paid bloggers as well. The others must be stupid childlike middle class people who have lived very sheltered narrow lives. Hey middle class on steroids-your economy is collapsig around you and you don't even notice! DUHH. You won't have a job soon idiot, church going moralistic pillar of society. Then you will see how it is to be without a job. And the people who "done it" are the people you admire so much and vote for-mostly Republicans like you. They say people get the government and and society they deserve. All of you bloodthirsty hypocrites will deserve it.
The Martins Feb 7th 2010 3:16PM
Should a former criminal go a certain amount of time without commiting a crime, then their criminal history should be sealed. I fail to see why many felons, why those convicted of petty offenses, or why even many so called sex offensenders should have their lives marred permanently because of their criminal history. My thought is, if someone goes years or decades without relapsing into a life of crime, why should we continue to punish them?
If someone is indeed a consistent and constant threat, then why have them on the outside? It is understood that there exists a class of predators who cannot be rehabilitated. But most criminals stay out of trouble upon release. Why not offer them job training, counseling, education, life skills and a shot at a clean record so that they can succeed on the outside?
I reiterate, if someone is a child rapist, a serial rapist, a violent offender, or otherwise a threat to society then to hell with "offender lists". Just keep them locked up for ever and ever amen. But if we see fit to let them back out, it is in our best interest to integrate them into society. This is often a herculean task when they can't even get a job as a janitor because of their prior arrest record.
Chuck Feb 7th 2010 3:30PM
As for the article, the person attempted to deceive by not reporting the previous crime. That doesn't bode well for his/her current state of reliability. To forgive is great, everybody has done something they want to be forgiven for. The current state of our Penal Code and Justice system is deplorable.
We will need to generate an even larger percentage of felons in the future just to keep the law students currently in school employed.
Our "Rights" are diminished every time the Federal or State government passes a new law. I think we should have fewer felonies and harsher punishment, but that's just me. I have been the victim of a crime (theft) on several occasions, but never received any justice. The police and law enforcement in general seem to be satisfied with solving crimes, not preventing them.
I do like the comment that we should all be granted our 2nd Amendment rights unrestricted. What a concept! The knowledge that everyone is potentially armed would seem to be a big deterrent in itself. But it will never happen.
The idea of an agency to protect our safety on the airlines is a good idea, but has been poorly executed. I avoid flying every chance I get now. The TSA acts like the Gestapo to the public, treating everyone as a suspect and continuosly inventing more sever restrictions while seeming to avoid the high profile travelers.
When they reacted to the "Shoe Bomber" by making everyone remove thier footwear I joked with a friend that "Someday some religious fundamentalist will try to get on a plane with exploding underwear and flying will be fun again!" (true story). I was wrong, please forgive me.
jokesl3 Feb 7th 2010 5:06PM
Jeremy, in many states felons have the right to vote. Check your local laws.
Unforetunately from the comments, Obama was right , we are not a Christian nation. What happened to forgiveness? Most people don't even know the difference between a misdemeamor and a felony. It's a fine line folks. These days with mandatory sentencing, many people become felons because cases are not judged on an individual basis. Vending machine justice. If you are an ex-felon, see a lawyer and see what you can do about expungement or reduction of conviction to a misdemeanor. It is very hard for a felon to get a decent job. some of your attitudes may change if it happens to you or a loved one. I am a felon. I am also an old man with cancer. Couple of years ago, I was caught with a controlled substance in my possession. Instant felon, never mind that I cannot be cured and am in constant pain. you should look ito your hearts and give these young people a break.
Willsr Feb 7th 2010 6:03PM
Of course another that is better than the rest! I'm sure you've never heard of being a habitual offender? Although rarely enforced because too many people would be classified in this way. Another load of crap as you say is the fact that you are working in the very place that is supposed to enforce those laws that you so willingly break and then you brag about it. Who are you to chose which laws to break and which ones not to break. When you speed or drive recklessly you put others lives in grave danger without thought to whom might be killed by your total disregard for the LAW!!! The entire circumstances about his deceit are not revealed maybe his record was sealed as are a lot of cases for young first time offenders, so he believed there was no need to reveal it? My main point is still let's look at giving someone a chance to redeem themselves and prove that they just made a grave mistake and they will be a productive member of society!!! And better yet stop judging others until we do right ourselves!!!
John Feb 8th 2010 6:05PM
This is really sad. I thought the point with juvenile offenders was to rehabilitate them. Here is a guy who obviously has turned his life around if after all that time, the only thing on his record is that crime. Instead of vilifying this guy, perhaps here is an example of a kid who really turned his life around. We should be praising him for working hard enough to keep his record clean in order to get this position. Get off his back. If we don't allow people the opportunity to change their lives, we are guaranteeing that the only option open to them is crime.
tammy wulf Feb 9th 2010 11:40AM
HOW OLD ARE YOU! did you know that this question could land you a felony my son at age 17 met a girl who he started seeing who said she was 15 was really only 13 he was 4 years and 23 days older than she when he found out her real age it was to late he was being charge with 2 degree statutory rape facing 32 years in prison and he never even had sex with her only touching three months after my son turning age 18 he is now a felon and to this day the girl still is lying about her age and dating older guys this law needs to change
TO THE LAW MAKERS see want you had placed on my son WHO at age 18 has loss all of his dreams