TSA gets new badges and uniforms — but will it also get respect?
How do you make the public respect a federal agency that’s become a punchline to every other joke about air travel? Why, you give the Transportation Security Administration new uniforms and badges, of course.
The federal screeners will soon sport 3-inch-by-2-inch, silver-colored, copper and zinc badges that will be worn on new royal-blue police-style shirts. The aim of the new attire is to convey an image of authority to passengers, who have “harassed, pushed and in a few instances punched screeners,” according to reports.
“It’ll go a long way to enhance the respect of this workforce,” says A.J. Castilla, a screener at Boston’s Logan Airport and a spokesman for a screeners union.
Not everyone is happy about the new badges and uniforms. Actual airport police, who carry guns and have arrest powers, worry that their own authority will be undercut by screeners who look like police.”
FedBlog at Government Executive notes:
“… police officers’ organizations aren’t very happy about the move — especially those who work at airports. They think it will just sow seeds of confusion about who the real cops are and create the impression that baggage screeners can handle crimes.”
Paul Mason, chief of the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport police, worries that passengers will mistake badge-wearing screeners for police and expect them to handle crimes. “There are going to be some growing pains on the part of the (screeners) and police,” he warns.
Duane McGray of the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network adds that “A lot of cops at airports are not real thrilled about it…It’s another way of saying (to airport police), ‘You’re not important’.”
The idea of TSA-agents-as-cops is getting a lukewarm reception online. A blogger who calls herself Capitol Hill 20210 writes that, “As someone in the law enforcement field, that has had to deal with these people before abusing their authority - this is a really bad idea.”
I believe that the TSA officers are getting a bum rap. A good number are hard working, trying to do their jobs, even saving a life or two. However, some also need to make an attitude adjustment.
Besides, according to FedBlog, before the screeners will be issued their new merit badges they need to “…complete a two-day training course on the implications of projecting the new sense of authority — including instruction on how to communicate calmly with passengers.”
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4 Responses to “TSA gets new badges and uniforms — but will it also get respect?”
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Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t think of a time that the TSA people have been out of line or doing anything other than their jobs. Maybe there are two sides to every confrontation story. I have observed that some small percentage of airline passengers are insecure, arrogant individuals that feel they must try and show their self-perceived importance.
The same holds true for flight attendants - never had a problem.
Same for gate agents - never had a problem.
I fly less frequently than some but more than most.
Overall they are ok at best. Once in PHL, I was on my way back from MBJ with flip flops on. They were not requiring shoes to be off and I requested that I be allowed to go thru the grimy floor without taking my flips off. Well, this one TSA got all belligerent and claimed I was uncooperative and then I got the secondary screening (without taking my shoes off).
I was not in a hurry, but the floor was gross, so it was cool by me. After I passed the wanding I went o my way and the TSA guy had run down the concourse to catch me and said “next time I guess you’ll listen when we tell you to do something huh?” To which I replied “don’t take those odds.” and went on my way.
Another time from SMF to BWI my flight was canceled and United was able to get me on one leaving in literally 10 minutes. I breezed thru security (no checked bags) and forgot my Palm was in my pocket. I explained the situation and asked if I could take the Palm out and re-pass and was told no. I explained about the flight and he said too bad. Called for secondary screening and the only secondary screener was just coming off break. He was 103 years old, walking with a limp and moving so slow. When he finally got there, he wanted to talk all about my flight and where I was going. They were paging me and he was just not moving. Finally, set free, I bolted down the concourse only to see the door being shut and a gate agent unwilling to re-open it for me..I don’t blame her.
Honestly giving these guys real metal badges will open the world to a whole bunch of trouble!
TSA is a joke organization with no real power, hence the “bully” factor they’ve self-granted. As ive traveled both domestic and international, I can honestly say that other countries(esp. in the UK and EU) airport police and agencies of this matter have struck both a balance of vigiliance and respectfulness of the traveler, unlike this organization, which is staffed with a decent number of the same morons who worked the airport pre 9/11. The only problem now is they have “power”
I agree with Bill R - fly out of Kansas City (MCI) every month or two, and the TSA screeners have been nothing but courteous and professional on every occasion, even when I set off the metal detectors and received (as deserved) additional screening via the wand. Of course, I’m also polite in the first place, just as I expect to be treated while I’m at work, so I may be in the minority of the travelling population by believing you reap what you sow, and not everyone was put on this planet to *serve* me - they’re just doing their jobs, so cut them some slack.