[Infowarrior] - Ask The Pilot: A GOOD commentary on TSA

[Richard Forno]

This Salon article is penned by a current commercial pilot flying for  
a major airline.  It explains much of what is wrong with the notion of  
'passenger screening' at the circus known as airport security  
checkpoints.  While the article is too long to repost in its entirety,  
it's certainly worth reading.  However, I encourage you to resist the  
urge to break something over your computer monitor afterward.  (You  
have been warned.)  Coming from someone "on the inside" as a  
commercial pilot, he presents a unique view and echoes what many  
competent security folks have beein saying and advising for years.

Article at:  http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2008/07/11/askthepilot283/print.html

Toward the end of this article was this gem, which I think deserves  
special mention, as I think it truly reflects the attitude taken by  
the USG in pursuing the impossible goal of ensuring "zero risks" to  
the "homeland -- namely, that a) appearance and *perceived*  
effectiveness of the state security apparatus is a paramount goal of  
homeland security (as opposed to truly effective results) and b) "shut  
up and do what you're told" (ie, the creation of a compliant and  
docile citizenry) has become an acceptable part of the New Normal in  
America.     I, for one, neither am reassured nor comforted by these  
realities.

--rick / infowarrior.org

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To scare away complainers, TSA is also deploying signs at airports  
around the country. "Interfering with security personnel or procedures  
in any manner," the signs read, "is prohibited."

That "in any manner" bit is an eyebrow raiser. Does that include  
questioning or challenging TSA's methods? Are guards not answerable to  
those they're supposedly protecting, and who are paying their  
salaries? How about a sign that cuts to the chase: "Don't question us,  
just do as you're told."

And what does "prohibited" mean, exactly? What sort of a threat is  
that? We ask because although it does not have law enforcement powers,  
TSA has begun issuing navy-blue uniforms and silver, cop-style badges.  
Not by accident, the badges look exactly like the kind worn by actual  
police officers. They say "U.S. Officer" at the top, with an eagle  
emblem in the center and "Transportation Security Administration"  
across the bottom. Not all law enforcement officials are happy.

The agency will tell you this is a way of enhancing the TSA's image,  
but in reality it's a method of coercion. Speaking in a USA Today  
article, TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe said, "Some of our officers aren't  
respected." It's not often that I laugh out loud while reading the  
newspaper, but that one had me going. You don't say.

In the same article, a screener at Boston's Logan International said  
of the new badges and shirts, "It'll go a long way to enhance the  
respect of this workforce."

No, sorry, that's not it. You don't bully and fool people into  
respecting you. If TSA wants respect, it can start with a radical  
overhaul of its policies, replacing the rules we have with ones that  
are sensible and effective.