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More than 400 TSA officers have quit since shutdown began (www.nbcnews.com)
submitted 6 months ago by to c/news@lemmy.world
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TSA employees have been working without pay during a partial shutdown of DHS over demands to reform immigration enforcement.

More than 400 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit since a partial government shutdown that began on Feb. 14 left them working without pay, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Funding was shut off to DHS over demands by Democrats for reforms at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection following alleged abuses and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year.

There has also been a national callout rate of 10% at TSA on more than half the days of the last week, Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, said Saturday in response to questions.

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[–] 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

You're very combative. I think you're missing the entire point.

I don't think I'm special... But when I finish with the TSA experience and reach the airport of a country that doesn't have that security theater, the difference is stark.

I've never had a random security check by non TSA, and when they do inspect my luggage they neatly repack it and close it.

They see that I have a child in a stroller and they direct me to a wider path so I can roll it through, sure I still have to take my child out and walk through the metal scanner, but having someone grab the stroller and pass give it back to me on the other side is an acceptable inconvenience compared to having to also fold and lift the stroller unassisted into the belt.

I don't think I'm special, do you think TSA agents are special? Do you think security agents at other countries don't work as hard or don't deal with exhausted travelers? Do you think there's a good reason why so many agents across the world are helpful and friendly but the TSA literally has a reputation for screaming at people?

My question is, do you feel safer in American airports because of the added inconvenience relative to other countries?

I can just picture you going through the line, huffing and puffing, and complaining about how long it is taking, and you don't have time to wait, yadda-yadda. I've seen your type in airports many many times.

Wow. I've seen that type also, and putting aside that it doesn't match me at all, are you suggesting only people who huff and puff go through what I described?

Are you suggesting friendly travelers don't have to take their shoes off (they don't anymore, after 20 years of theater that hasn't caught a single person with a bomb in their shoe)? Are you suggesting TSA agents will pack your bag neatly?

And to be clear, I've had experiences where they went above and beyond, maybe they're new and haven't stopped giving a shit yet, or maybe they're just rays of sunshine. But it's not standard practice to be polite and helpful in the most standardized security theater in the world, and that's a problem.

I'm not special, I don't think I should receive special treatment or be less inconvenienced than other travelers, I'm asking why you think we should all be extra inconvenienced? Once again, do you feel safer due to the inconvenience?

Do you feel safer having to take your belt off? I wear sweatpants when flying so it doesn't affect me, but do you feel the very minor inconvenience of taking your belt off is a necessary price to pay?

Why defend an expensive theater because "they're doing their job"? That money could serve you better.

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  • [–] -2 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    Stop that. You are trying to sound normal in this post, acting like you are having a perfectly normal experience, but you were super dramatic in your first post, describing TSA agents who were "screaming," shoving, etc. I wasn't being combative, I was responding to your over the top descriptions of TSA experiences, that don't match ANYTHING I've ever seen in any airport in America.

    For instance, in this post you say:

    I've never had a random security check by non TSA, and when they do inspect my luggage they neatly repack it and close it.

    Very reasonable. But in your original post, you said:

    Have you had to deal with agents asking you what's in your bag and screaming at you not to touch it as if it contained a bomb that you're doing to activate? Oh no your toothpaste and USB charger overlapped in the x-ray and looked like an IED! Then they shove everything back in your bag so it doesn't close and tell you to move it so they can deal with the next suspect, and the only place to repack your bag is on a bench 15 feet away?

    That is in direct conflict with your supposed personal experience, so which is it? If you've had normal experiences with TSA, why were you trying to spread nonsense about abusive behavior that you've never experienced? And what is wrong with me countering your dramatic first post with my normal experiences, which turn out to mirror your second experience?

    And you accuse me of being combative, when you go on some incomprehensible rant where you half agree with me, and half don't, start interrogating me about feeling safe about my shoes or belt or something, I don't get it. Like this:

    And to be clear, I've had experiences where they went above and beyond, maybe they're new and haven't stopped giving a shit yet, or maybe they're just rays of sunshine. But it's not standard practice to be polite and helpful in the most standardized security theater in the world, and that's a problem.

    So they're nice to you sometimes, and not nice to you sometimes. Who cares? They're doing their job as security, and you're doing your job as a traveler. Why do they have to live up to some personal standard? They see thousands of people a day. Are they supposed to read everybody's minds and treat them the way they like? I don't expect that, I just expect them to do their job, that's all. They don't have to smile for me, too, that's just condescending, and gross.

    Do I feel safer? I don't know, I don't really think about it, and that answers your question.

    Look, it's real simple: Before the 90s, hijacking were out of control world wide. American security improved until it was pretty good by the 90s. Then 9/11 happened, and they realized that the threat was getting worse, with the rise of Al Qaeda, and they enhanc d their security. The result has been a 25 year hiatus since the last hijacking.

    That's success right there. It's obviously working, so whatever they have to do, I'm willing to be cooperative about it. My home airports are two of the busiest in the world, and I never have any issues. I show up early, take my time, do my thing at security, help less experienced travelers if they need it, and move on. I have never witnessed these dramatic problems that people have seem to have, despite being in some of the most crowded airports in the world.

    The result is that I don't have die in a hijacking. Isn't that the ultimate objective? So what's everybody whining about?

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago

    You are trying to sound normal in this post

    Okay?

    acting like you are having a perfectly normal experience

    I'm describing my average experience with TSA, which involves unhelpful rude agents that bark directions at you, constant random security checks, and unnecessary burden when traveling with children.

    in your first post, describing TSA agents who were "screaming," shoving, etc.

    I'm still describing them as screaming... I don't think I ever claimed they were shoving people, and I'll take etc as the same category of imaginary anger you built up.

    I don't like the TSA and I don't think they serve a good purpose, their competence has not made me feel safer. They're very good at catching water bottles but I've personally and accidentally flown with a 3" folding pocket knife in my backpack.

    That is in direct conflict with your supposed personal experience, so which is it? If you've had normal experiences with TSA

    "non TSA". My positive experience was with non TSA. I travel internationally a lot, and while I've been asked (way less often) by non TSA to have my bag checked, they ALWAYS handle it very gentle and repack it for me. I've had ONE experience I can recall where a TSA agent actually put things back in my bag neatly. Once.

    I travel with lots of tech, so my bags are often pulled for secondary screening, but it's not specialized tech, it's always a waste of everyone's time. I've had my package rummaged for AA batteries.

    And you accuse me of being combative

    You literally attempted to describe me personally in very strong negative words, and dismissed my claims based on your certainty that I'm the problem. You don't think you're being combative?

    when you go on some incomprehensible rant

    You just can't read, probably because you're reading with eagerness to strike back. I've been very consistent.

    So they're nice to you sometimes, and not nice to you sometimes. Who cares?

    I've already explained this. I'm comparing it directly with other countries' security screeners and how they're always polite and helpful. I don't think I'm special and need to be treated well because I'm special, I just don't think TSA agents are special and should get a free pass to be assholes when the rest of the world doesn't allow their agents to go that.

    I mean some counties do, TSA experience is sometimes as bad as flying through Egypt, where overt corruption and incompetence is on full display, why are you okay with that?

    Why are you defending it so much? Why are you bending backwards to praise someone as doing their job when their job explicitly is NOT being rude to you. Do you accept rude waiters or mechanics or hotel staff because they're dealing with frustrated customers? I doubt it. Why do you think TSA is special?

    They're doing their job as security, and you're doing your job as a traveler. Why do they have to live up to some personal standard?

    I reject that they're doing a job of "security", I feel like I'm being very clear with my questions "do you feel safer with the security theater"? But you're somehow choosing to interpret that as personal "interrogation"... I don't think they do security, I think they make travel inconvenient, and they're mostly unpleasant on top, and I don't think that's a price anyone (not special me and my standards) should pay to not be more secure.

    The glass displays they have of confiscated items at some airports tell you so much. Do you feel safer with that many nail clippers confiscated?

    Do I feel safer? I don't know, I don't really think about it, and that answers your question.

    I'm literally inviting you to think about it with my "interrogative" questions.

    Look, it's real simple: Before the 90s, hijacking were out of control world wide. American security improved until it was pretty good by the 90s. Then 9/11 happened, and they realized that the threat was getting worse, with the rise of Al Qaeda, and they enhanc d their security. The result has been a 25 year hiatus since the last hijacking.

    If you've flown enough before 9/11, you'd have recognized what really reduced hijackings. Before, the cockpit was open and children were often invited to come to it, it was like a bus. Now, they have reinforced doors that are locked the entire flight, and on planes where it has to be opened the cabin crew block the path with a cart and physically stand in the way. It's the flight crew that keeps you safe and prevents hijacking, not the TSA taking your water bottle and nail clippers.

    That's success right there. It's obviously working, so whatever they have to do, I'm willing to be cooperative about it.

    The data backs this up, reinforced cockpit doors stop highjacking. TSA security theater does not.

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