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H.R. 1881, The Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009 (144 comments ↓ | 7 wiki edits)
H.R. 1881 would enhance the transportation security functions of the Department of Homeland Security by providing for an enhanced personnel system for employees of the Transportation Security Administration.
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Visitor Comments 
wyz
July 19, 2009, 8:08am (report abuse)its not a question of if this bill will pass but when. also im a afge union member and i know from articles i have read on thier website that they are looking to fight tsa on the recerve testing that they believe is not an acurate evaluater of our skills and is too suggestive. 3 months ago i too my practicles i never failed in the 3 years i have been with tsa until this year they said i failed the wanding. but when i redid my test at the terminal i did it exactly the same way i did it the day of the test and they said i did it perfect no errors. that may cost me level 5 this year. its rediculous that we have to put our job on the line every year as though we forgot how to do our job. supervisers need to be on the floor more evaluating us. and tip scores should used to evaluate our skills on the x-ray.if someone falls under 80% they should have to do some remedial training 60 hours. this would mean the trainers would actually get paid to train not test or read from modules.
Tax payer
July 20, 2009, 8:36am (report abuse)Apparently, you don't need to know how to read or write to be a TSO.
RENO FACTS
July 20, 2009, 2:09pm (report abuse)IN ADDITION, WHILE WORKING AT THE WTMD BRANDDON THOMPSON ASKED THE X-RAY SCREENER TO TURN THE MONITOR SO HE COULD SEE IT TO ULTIMATELY TALK THE X-RAY SCREENER OUT OF CALLING THE BAG CHECK.OF COURSE THIS WAS IN FULL VIEW OF THE TRAVELING PUBLIC.IN MY OPINION THIS WAS A BREACH!AGAIN BRANDDON RECEIVED NO DISIPLINARY ACTION!!
hjkjk
July 20, 2009, 9:51pm (report abuse)This is the sort of representation that management is scared of. If all the TSO's can join together collectively then we can attain some proper procedures and personnel. We won't have to put up with reverse discrimination any more.
Reno Airport
July 21, 2009, 1:24pm (report abuse)Without TSA there would be no traveling or airlines.
As for the problems in Reno.. the AFSD Sanchez is the real disease of RENO. He is the one that has created the violent struggle of the managements thumb. There is a small group that remembers the AFSD talking about "Jacking Off" in front of women and men of the supervisors. He is the one that started with putting individuals in thier place. No respect for who they are. Point is this..... cut out the disease and TSA Reno will be able to start over fresh, with respect for each other and create a team of professionals that you all are.
Appalled TSO
July 21, 2009, 9:58pm (report abuse)I am appalled that my fellow co-workers would display their dirty laundry for the country to read and judge us for. Not to mention that I have seen many examples of TSO's who can't seem to hold up the value of SSI. Maybe you should all follow the proper procedures when you have a problem and adress Washington before you slander our organization and make the public hate us even more. These kinds of comments reflect badly on us when they are there for the entire nation to view. Not to mention that everytime a regular person views these comments by our own TSO's, they write to our congress, asking them why we still exist with officers that don't really feel that they do anything. Which brings us closer to getting shut down and another agency taking over. One that is more professional than us. I have made my rant now. Keep the dirty laundry to yourselves and only post the good things about what this bill will do for us, such as give us a big raise and bargaining options.
RENO FACTS
July 24, 2009, 12:29am (report abuse)"I MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY, BUT WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT" THIS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR FIRST AMMENDMENT RIGHTS.HAVING SAID THAT,I DISAGREE WITH THE DISPARRIAGING REMARK AGAINST JESSIE SANCHEZ.HE IS A DECENT GUY AND A STRAIGHT SHOOTER.HE RECENTLY CUT ME HUGE SLACK AND I BELIEVE HE COULD HAVE NAILED MY BUTT TO THE WALL IF HE WANTED TO.WHERE OTHERS WANTED TO GET ME IN TROUBLE, HE ONLY GATHERED THE FACTS AND TREATED ME FAIRLY.I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU GUYS ABOUT HIM.HE'S ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.
Catx tso
July 24, 2009, 10:14am (report abuse)Please remember guys that others are looking at these comments. I, as well as any of you, know how many serious issues we face. However, no matter how genuine your concerns, do remember that how we are PERCEIVED is how we'll be judged. The sponsors and supporters of this bill currently think of us as a group of professionals who deserve better. If we all seem like just a bunch of whiners, people with a personal grudge or just someone who doesn't deal well with authority too well WE COULD LOSE THIS BILL! Please don't be that the cause of that.
Reno guy
July 25, 2009, 4:38am (report abuse)Mr. Sanchez is not the problem at RNO. It was wrong to write those ugly things about him.
tax payer
July 26, 2009, 12:13am (report abuse)Freedom of speach doesn't protect against libel/slander. So for those of you posting all these rumors/stories using people's names or even pretending to post as those people, I hope you realize the consequences of your actions.
Based on the fact that you would post those things on a public forum pretty strongly suggests you don't though.
MonaLisa
July 26, 2009, 12:34am (report abuse)I've been with TSA since roll out at LAX. First of all, AFGE does nothing for screeners at all EVER! This bill will really boost the morale of the TSA workforce and I can't wait until Management no longer has the power of "interpretation". However, Collective Bargaining will NOT make wages and healthcare any better as people think and as Unions like AFGE make screeners think. Wages and Healthcare are regulated by Dept of Labor and Office of Personnel Management and will not be negotiated in collective bargaining. But collective bargaining will take a lot of power away from Mangement and that is what we need.
Re: Tax Payer
July 26, 2009, 11:42am (report abuse)Slander: a malicious, FALSE, and defamatory statement or report: a slander against his good name.
Libel: anything that is defamatory or that maliciously or damagingly MISREPRESENTS.
Rumor: a story or statement in general circulation WITHOUT CONFIRMATION OR CERTAINTY AS TO FACTS
You may want to review the definitions of the above words. The keywords/ideas are "False". So in this case, none of this qualifies as libel, slander, or rumor, as it is all true and the facts are presented.
Good try though..
tax payer
July 27, 2009, 12:13am (report abuse)Maybe you should go back and read the things that have been posted, including the MISREPRESENTATION that takes place when the same people who are posting these rumors, then follow up by pretending to be the person they just slandered and posting FALSE VALIDATIONS under that person's name.
Seriously, this is why so many Americans can't stand TSA. The quality of its employees seems about the same as what you would find in your average retail chain. There used to be an online forum for screeners back in the day, categorized by airport code. The same kind of stuff that's being posted here was being posted there as well.
It's quite disgusting that our tax dollars are apparently paying screeners (who are supposed to be the front line of defense against aviation terrorism) who can barely read/write, who feels it's appropriate to put dirty laundry on a public forum, and then have the audacity to sign in under the very name of the people they just slandered, pretending to be them.
Re: tax payer
July 27, 2009, 5:07pm (report abuse)Were it me going after said impersonater, I'd probably go more the route of impersonating a federal officer/official, but if you want to take the libel/slander route that works too.
Regardless, there's a lot of problems with the system as shown above, and although it won't solve all our problems, the bill is a step in the right direction.
Among other things, yes I agree that a lot of people dislike TSA because of the low caliber of employees. They do exist and they do ruin the image that TSA tries to eminate. I have run into TSO's that quite frankly I wouldn't trust with a pair of safety scissors, much less the securing of our aviation system. The point being made here is that the lowest caliber TSO's are being advanced higher up the rank, while those who are well qualified and do their job well, are left in the dust because of the terrible people higher up. These higher ups are the ones that make the call on who gets promoted and who doesn't.
Re: tax payer
July 27, 2009, 5:08pm (report abuse)Look, corruption and unethical behaviour are running rampant in the ranks, from TSO all the way up to the AFSD's. The problem is that scum enjoys company, and these people are abusing their authority and putting people similar to themselves in higher positions. Yes, a certain group of people have been named and called out on it. I as a fellow tax payer am glad to see, that while this bill is not going to clear these scumbags out immediately, it's at least progressing. The reason I'm not up in arms and calling for the complete disbanding of TSA is because I have dealt with and worked along side some of the greatest employees TSA can offer. These people are the majority. I'm sure you know from your own personal experience that those few idiots ruin it for everyone.
Re: tax payer
July 27, 2009, 5:09pm (report abuse)Honestly, by hearing these stories and having at least half a brain, I am motivated to call on my Congressmen and Senators to further this legislation any way they can, and work to scrub clean the scum that is upper management at RNO and all the other airports in the country.
Re: tax payer
July 27, 2009, 5:17pm (report abuse)Also, impersonations aside, they're still not rumors if they're true.
Scwymstr
(logged in user) July 29, 2009, 5:52pm (report abuse)Hey all you poor RNO folk out there! I feel for ya! I was once in your shoes, but thankfully the economy was in better shape and i { unlike most of the screener force } have a fairly broad-spectrum work history. That said, i had NO IDEA that ol' brother Floyd made Mgr { bad ticker n' all ]hahahhaa!! Reno always was operated by the select few, for the benefit of the select few, along with the brown-nosers who made their daily lives worth living. It's obvious things have'nt changed much if at all, but then what did you expect? I started @ RNO 09-22-02 and that was the last day i spent there for almost 4 years w/out bein' lied to and/or havin' smoke blown up my skirt. Good luck w/the idgits in D.C LOL!! Any of my old compadre's out there readin' this might just know me by the name.
Fascism ending soon.
August 6, 2009, 2:18pm (report abuse)TSA has been the North Korean element of the federal government since the rollout in 2002. TSA is a prime example of the George Bush era of dictatorship, and abuse of TSA employees. When you hire 45000 people in 4 months, you end up with a lot of incompetant morons in management; i.e., people who would never survive in the private sector. In a few short months TSA will be an agency run by the many, and NOT the few. We will have a true voice, and management will instantly realize what a union environment is all about. TSA run by the few and not the many is soon coming to an end thanks to our Honorable President Barack Hussein Obama.(God Bless Him). A true democracy is run by the many, and NOT the few!!!
Ghost
August 10, 2009, 7:02pm (report abuse)write your representatives. unionizing is your right.
as for the "tax payers" guess what, the TSA officers pay taxes too. why would you want to deny somebody the right to join a union?
reno facts
August 13, 2009, 11:47am (report abuse)What you guys said about Joyce and Chris is chicken s**t!They,despite your opinion are human beings with feelings and emotions.If you know Joyce, you know you probably hurt her feelings very much.If you had the guts, you'd tell Chris to his face.Those who are with TSA since '02 are probably not to blame for these writings.
reno facts
August 14, 2009, 6:48pm (report abuse)Clearing the air....My friend who used to work at tsa wrote a couple of disparriaging comments about a TSA lead and mgmt.from my computer.Although I agree with a few points, I want to distance myself from any racial or anti-mgmt comments.All and all Mgmt has treated me fairly over the years.I did write comments in defense of Chris,Joyce, and Jessie and I stand by those comments :-)
re: Reno facts
August 15, 2009, 12:26pm (report abuse)Hooray for CYO (cover your ass). As for the feelings comment, sometimes the truth hurts and sometimes what goes around comes around. Grow some skin and roll with the punches.
reno facts
August 17, 2009, 12:02pm (report abuse)Growing some skin and rolling with the punches is fine, but misrepresenting yourself and writing a comment pretending to be someone else is dead wrong and chicken s**t!
Blue Statesman!
August 23, 2009, 4:46pm (report abuse)LOOK everyone, we know alot of people are mad at managment and know that they get away with alot of things but to be honest, this bill will probably not pass, so stop the infighting because after the dust settles we all have to go back to our checkpoints and work and if the managers at these airports DO get on here and read these comments they will be PISSED!!! Think about THAT...YEAH then what are you guys going to do !?!? You'll be dealing with SH**TY managers who are NOW pissed off because someone was writing disparriging remarks about them..!!!!
Researcher
August 24, 2009, 12:32am (report abuse)TSA Officers will get restricted collective bargaining; bank on it! What you all are porbably seeing now at your local airports is the preparation bt Management. They are dotting their I's and crossing their T's and setting any and all administrative precedence NOW!Officers will also be transferred to the GS pay system because of the faultiness of PASS. Now, to pay for all this. If you think TSA is going to allow Unions,GS Pay and roll out all this new equipment(At XRays and Inline Baggage) and the FTE allotment is going to stay the same, then you are crazy!After all this equipment is rolled out they are going to slash the numbers nationally.Do you think that as the Agency advances in technology they are going to allow officers to stand around at overstaffed checkpoints and baggage stations? They are not going to tell you, but a new FTE allotment will come out at some point after all this new equipment is deployed. So yes, equipment and GS are coming but it has to be paid for too.
Old man in the moon
August 26, 2009, 10:25pm (report abuse)Now we hear that TSA is making everyone fill out a sf86? Haven't heard about it yet? YOU WILL! All leads sups and bdo's are going first which just started 2 days ago (as of 8-26-09). What is it you ask? ahhhhh here check this ! We are now going to be asked to RE-SUBMIT AFTER ALMOST 10 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT OUR BACKGROUND INFO AGAIN!!!!! YES You heard right, you will have to go back 10 years from the date and give them EVERYTHING again, work history,financial history, criminal history,contacts they can check with, where you poop and when and what toilet paper you use to do it with etc etc etc, remember that papaerwork we filled out at the beginning? All that over again, heres the catch though, this time it is inputed on a computer! They want everything all over again but put on a computer! THIS IS BULLSH*T!!!!!!!!!!
Sgt Pepper
August 27, 2009, 12:12pm (report abuse)Your lucky to have a job in this economy. All this complaining isnt gonna win you any fans in the general public. As for bitching about your bosses i'm sure they know about this site. If I found it THEY can.
lonely heart band
August 30, 2009, 5:06pm (report abuse)Everybody already hates us at TSA remember?, we are the schmucks who piss everyone off even more (because there already pissed when they get to us) Anyways your wrong about being "lucky" to have a job. You must be in management (they pull that B.S line all the time) you can find a job that pays 14bucks an hour all day long just without the great benefits DHS offers. Management sucks to the bone and TSA is such a twisted place that now all we hear in the briefings are about "inside jobs" people who have sida badges and could try "something"! They have pissed their employees off so bad that now they are starting to worry about their own people trying to pull something. The idea factory is chock-full of awesome ideas about how to fix this dump hole of an employer but if you look at the "Ideas in action" section NOT ONE is related to making the employees life better, only "operational" ideas are voted on, crap like how to "monitor the idea factory itself!! hahahaha
Sgt Pepper
August 30, 2009, 6:16pm (report abuse)If you have ever worked for another Gov agency you would know that most agencies are run like you describe especially state agencies. Well atleased state agencies for the most part are paid well. You guys not so much but that will change when you get collective bargaining. Then you S**T better be right or the the press will have a field day. could yoy see the headlines now.
Researcher
September 1, 2009, 12:47pm (report abuse)Old man in the moon, the Sf-86 thing is standard. Your agency is REQUIRED to conduct that check every 10 years. You have to realize that TSA is the largest agency in DHS and it would probaly take 18 months to complete all the checks anyway. What you don't realize is this will also be used by the Agency to slice the numbers (FTE Count). They will be looking for whatever gives them the supportive ground to dismiss an employee. The TSA honeymoon is over now and it's all about saving money from this point forward. I don't care how large or small your airport is. If you can't perceive that something is going on under the surface of things then you are blind. More reprehensible is the fact that the Agency thinks that its employees are too stupid to feel the pulse that something is going on and between now and Fiscal 2011, something major is about to happen at TSA. If they know anything, they are sworn to secrecy and WILL NOT tell you anything.Just notice the administartive indicators.
Old man in the moon
September 8, 2009, 10:10pm (report abuse)No, don't get me wrong I believe rhere is something happening alright but it doesn't mean we have to agree with it. Overall however speaking in general terms I do believe this ship is sinking and there is no way to stop the water from coming in, I'm talking about our nation as a whole here. The dollar index is now trading at almost historical lows and soon it WILL be at an all time low. That means that just like many economists afe saying by next year or so at this time we will be facing Hyperinflation, so it doesn't matter to me really, we won't be able to aford to go to work anyway!
Old man in the moon
September 8, 2009, 10:29pm (report abuse)Soon many many more people will be out of jobs and the situation in this country will be dire. If you don't believe ME look up Peter schiff videos on youtube and be enlightened, TSA will be a past thought and the new reality in this country will be plight and famine and possibly a depression the likes we have NEVER seen leading to possible worst case scenarios that DHS much less TSA could deal with, like an all out civil war (No it's not a radical idea)Think about Iraq and all the different religious groups fighting, now apply that to us, in a dire situation! Here you have a miriad of religions, Baptists,Catholics,Pentecostals,Mormans,Latter day saints,Episcapals,ETC,ETC,ETC and their offshoots, and then ad the fact that we could be in a severe depression and BOOM a perfect mix for the MOTHER of all civil wars, TSA will be nothing but a distant memory, Hell, men will be fighting AGAINST the government, thats what the whole thing will be about, a new system of things, a NEW government!
Old man in the moon
September 8, 2009, 10:42pm (report abuse)Here is a video of Peter schiff predicting what will happen in the near future. If your not familiar with him he was one of many economists who predicted the current crises back in 06 and were being laughed at on the air. Look up Peter schiff on youtube in particular "peter schiff was right" and watch that to start. Also keep up with his daily video blog on youtube at "the schiff report", But copy and paste this clip in your web browser to be taken directly to this video and watch it, this guy is a real pro not some radical leftist or rightist who goes on tirads just a very smart economist who predicted the current crises years in advance. However like he says there were many who were calling it, and they are all saying the same thing now, that our problems are not behind us they are in front of us and they are GIANT problems. We are facing something that we have NEVER faced before in history folks and this time it's not a joke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djgH9wA-JSU
Don Vernon
September 8, 2009, 11:51pm (report abuse)This proposed bill needs to be voted down. A security screener position is a responsibility & a duty based on continued demonstrated satisfactory performance -- not an entitlement based on time in grade (ie., seniority).
DonVernon
September 9, 2009, 12:00am (report abuse)Comments continued -- The job specs & performance acceptability standards for TSA employees need to be established by management, & not be subject to negotiation with unions & their continual elevating of their pay & benefit demands, or else they will go on strike. This same issue is why President Regan fired the air traffic controllers.
wyz
September 9, 2009, 6:04am (report abuse)from the comments i have read on here i have read no ssi people have thwe right to speak their mind. what goes in tsa goes on in other agencies as well and you hear it on the news. so what has been said in here is nothing new to the public. it does nopt matter what we say or do people are going to have their own opinion about tsa whether it is positive or negitive. i like what i do and like working for tsa and i honestly dont care what the public thinks they dont see what i see or have a full understanding of why we do what we do. the majority of the public have a good opinion of what we do and those that dont i could careless.
jfk
(logged in user) September 10, 2009, 10:50am (report abuse)You can view today's hearing,on the committee on goverment oversight and reform website at www.oversight.house.gov. View it now or later on.
curious
September 10, 2009, 11:40am (report abuse)the video feed during the hr 1881 markup had audio issues so i wasn't able to hear the outcome. does anyone know the final status of the bill?
jfk
(logged in user) September 10, 2009, 5:11pm (report abuse)The Committee on Goverment Oversight and Reform today favorably reported without rejection by a roll call vote of 19 yeas to 10 nays.The next step for HR-1881,is for it to go before the Full House Committee for vote, before going to the Senate.
CH
September 11, 2009, 8:59am (report abuse)I would like to see this bil pass as well but I would also like to see a major shakedown of the whole organization. Get rid of all incompetent staff. Including TSO's as well. Tired of the welfare types calling out, lying about on the job injuries and generally slacking off while on duty. Those that think a union is the answer to our prayers are also fooling themselves. Unions are just as corrupt and incompetent as the rest of the government. They just become another deduction on our already shrinking paycheck.
Scott
September 11, 2009, 2:27pm (report abuse)I think this will help. I worked with TSA from the creation of the organization worked on the mobile training teams and worked my fingers to the bone then and after being assigned to my home airport in Reno, Nevada. After five years and despite receiving very positive evaluations, I was past over time and time again for promotions. I finally resigned seeing no personal future as well as not seeing any of the promised improvements materialize.
Boxer
September 14, 2009, 3:22am (report abuse)Its obvious the TSA is looking to cut it's staffing by all the programs they are instituting. Let the bean counting begin!!! The TSA is currently on a mission to cut it's staffing with any means they can. I think there are too many high end positions they need to get rid of in TSA. TSA is too top heavy!! There are retired military, government, law enforcement, postal people, airline employees in the TSA who are milking the system. Building up their retirement of 30 plus years and collecting a paycheck. Collecting a paycheck at others expense.The TSA needs to force those out into a final retirement. Most of the TSA's employees that are categorized as "dead wood" are those who are retired in high end positions.For those employees who do not want to come to work they need to move on. At some point in the near future TSA will end up with a skeleton crew at airports.
angryscreener
September 14, 2009, 12:42pm (report abuse)I have been a TSO for 7 years. I have personally experienced the hell they given me and other TSOs. It's time us to have the same rights as other agencies. They have wasted millions of dollars on part-time TSOs that won't stay. They keep saying we're overstaffed, but how come I have to do ticket check when I should be checking bags ramp side. While baggage TSOs are upstairs doing this, bags are not making it on the planes with the passengers. Don't we still need to check cargo, railroad, and shipping. Management at my aiport needs to stop abusing TSOs, and this bill will do it. Vote yes for HR 1881.
Boxer
September 14, 2009, 7:11pm (report abuse)A union does not give you a "get out of jail free card." AFGE is a joke of a union. Charging $30.00 a month for bogus representation! TSA nor DHS reconizes a union. Yes there are unions floating around but none of them can do anything. If any union should come to the TSA, NTEU should be the one. NTEU represents Customs, Border Patrol. Does NTEU charge union dues for bogus representation?? No!
TSA 2009
September 14, 2009, 7:53pm (report abuse)Why are there dicussions about what they do at RNO or any other airport? This blog is about HR-1881 not issues about screeners, AFSD'S or any other individuals. Am I correct?
Jack Hoff
September 15, 2009, 12:06am (report abuse)Who gives a sqirrel crap what they talk about Are you the moderator of this site? There is no Tsa forum for them to post on since the only one that existed was shut down.
TSA 2009
September 15, 2009, 6:11am (report abuse)Jack Hoff, I am not the moderator here. Just wondering why we are straying from the issues at hand. Going to a GS pay scale and having collective bargaining agreement.
Old man in the moon
September 21, 2009, 8:56am (report abuse)I have been a TSO for 6 years now and I am "actively" looking for another job. Tsa is such a joke. The BEST thing that can be done is to privatize the airports again just using the standards that are now in place (Which were NOT pre 911) Get the over burdened government out of the screening/ guard/soap and dirty underwear checker business! Fact is all we here about now is inside" jobs or cases that are 12-20 years old. With all the employees going through the portals at airports THATS where they should be focusing but do they? NO...Idiots!
Canry no cole mine
September 21, 2009, 11:47am (report abuse)Uhhh the old saying comes to mind if your not part of the solution then you are a part of the-- well you know
Big dog
September 22, 2009, 10:11pm (report abuse)Yeah I hear you man, I think Tsa should be privatized too, people at the airports look at you guys and see their hard earned money being wasted.
Canary no cole mine
September 23, 2009, 4:18pm (report abuse)5 percent of bills actually become law and this bill does not have a sponsor in the Senate so in my opinion this bill is dead in the water. Maybe the president will grant collective bargaining.
JAH former RNO TSA 2002-2008
September 26, 2009, 6:03pm (report abuse)I just want the public to know that the vast majority of TSA officers are hard working, well trained and knowledgeable people with the best interests in the safety of the traveling public. We did the very best with the equipment we were given. This blog has made TSA look like a joke which it is NOT. I was caught in the first wave of "downsizing" a year ago; but knowing the complications of the job, I am thrilled that newer "state of the art" equipment is coming in and the "unproductive" fat will be trimmed. The agency and the traveling public will be better off for it!
Best wishes to all my former TSA family.
Scwymstr
(logged in user) September 26, 2009, 7:44pm (report abuse)Hey Folks!! Me Again!! Ya'll need to go back in yer collective memories a bit. When the tsa was first started the private company folks who were doin' the screening were promised the better payin' gigs ifn' they'd hang around 'til all us " 1st Edition " tsa folk got into place. Of course we 1st edition folk didn't know that hahahaa....when we'uns walked into the airport on our 1st day we was greeted by ticket agents and $6 an hour private company screeners who was now, low and behold, MANAGERS hahahhaaa!! Most of 'em was dyslexic or just plain stoopid!! That's why they had the " acting supervisor " gig goin' on for well over the 1st year! They was scared to death to let the supervisors they " GAVE " the positions to actually try to do the job! The point being? The TSA started out wrong, and it will always be run incorrectly. Period. End of discussion. Get a real job. Later.
Sgt Pepper
October 1, 2009, 1:24pm (report abuse)What the!!! Topic: Bill -No Bill. Pass-- No pass. NOT-- The tsa is this the Tsa is that. There out to get me. The Ufo's are coming. Jesus what is wrong with the people that post here.
Israel
October 13, 2009, 4:07pm (report abuse)The TSO's deserve more. In my travels I have seen many arrogant and ignorant passengers. It is the passengers responsibility to know they are entering an airport and they need to prepare and comply with security protocols for their trip. If they don't like it, don't fly. Talk to the airline go online to the TSA website to know what to expect at an airport. Flying today is a much different than 20 years ago. We live in a global network now. If people want to live in a bubble and be self-centered as if the Officers at the airport are supposed to know you then they will have problems. Those seeking to do harm are from all cultures, ages, from children to grandmothers, from people in uniforms to business suits, from the healthy to the invalid, whether knowingly or not. I have lived and travelled in Europe and the Middle East and Americans are the whinniest group. TSA is there to keep us safe. Dr. Condolezza Rice said 'we have to be right 100% of the time, they only have to be right once.'
Sgt Pepper
October 14, 2009, 8:38am (report abuse)I agree Americans are very whinny. This is the have it your way country. No matter the cost. God forbid you show id to get on an airplane. Just like driving, which by the way you need id for, flying is also a privlage and not a right.
Israel
October 18, 2009, 7:47pm (report abuse)This Bill will put these Officers on the GS pay scale. It is not giving them more than others who are doing similar work on the GS scale. I have read they are constantly being tested to keep them abreast with current procedures. In a world were those seeking terror are doing everything to get around procedures there is a need to change on a regular basis. I have to keep up with things when I travel. Unfortunately it is a necessary evil. I hear fellow passengers complaining and arguing with these officers about things. We have to realize that when we enter the airport we are entering the front lines of aviation security. We may not like something but that is not the time or place for debate. Talk to your senator and congressman. The Transportation Security Officers are there to preserve democracy, not to practice it. They deserve appropriate pay for appropriate work.
Screener til the wheels fall off
October 31, 2009, 12:30am (report abuse)It doesn matter wether we talk about 1881 or the issues at airports because they are one in the same. Tsa has the highest attrition rate the ;highest turnover rate and highest Injury rate than all the dhs agencies combined and I am damn proud to be apart of that record hahahahaha. This is why we need 1881. If you don't believe YouTube Ted Kennedy speech.
2nd try
November 10, 2009, 1:21am (report abuse). TSA has just a set of rules that are up to the interpretation of the Local management. They tell lies to Washington, get they’re budgets passed and do what they want. After 7yrs it really needs to be addressed.
As officers of the federal gov. We screen for passengers who we keep safe. We are not different or less needed than customs or ICE or any agency. So why are my workplace protections different? Why are we the only employee’s that need to pay to park at work.
Why does the person cleaning the checkpoint make more than a so called certified officer. We need a labor contract so managements dictation of our job description is outlined. That we are paid for what we do and cannot be fired because of a local policy subject to the good ole boy interpitation
Old man in the moon
November 11, 2009, 6:41pm (report abuse)I have come to the realization that we need to just be thankful we have a job in these times of economic uncertainty.
update
November 21, 2009, 4:22pm (report abuse)This bill is pretty much dead in the water. No co-bill to introduce it with and no sponsor in the Senate = very low odds of this ever seeing the light of day.
Pestimistic
November 22, 2009, 12:23pm (report abuse)The bill in question is not going to pass. One sign of this is now the BDO program is under pass, with this going into effect for fy2011 why would we all think this bill would pass this year, last year or any upcoming year. Let's face it the good ol' boy system is here to stay and if you not kissing someones you know what or blowing someone we will never get promoted and put the right amount of food on our tables. We are just the bottom feeders of this agencyeanwhile you got H and I band managers reaping all the awards for our hard labor. Now I now what a Chinese sweatshop feels like. We not only have a unfair pay system but uninhabitable work conditions as well. As a man once said if we don't like where we work we should start looking for another job. It is only a matter of time until you have an automated checkpoint with a little need of the amount of officers we currently have in this agency.
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WashingtonWatch.com Digest – September 8, 2009
This is the WashingtonWatch.com email newsletter for the week of September 8, 2009. Subscribe here. email newsletter | tell a friend | wiki | about | home | log in Earmark Collecting Done! Our earmarks contest has collected over 41,000 ear...