The TSA, Jeopardy and Racism
January 30, 2010 at 2:45 pm 11 comments
Well this just came across CNN today. Apparently managers of a Federal Air Marshall’s office in Florida decided to invent a game that ridiculed Minorities, Gays and Women. Here is the Article from CNN:
(CNN) — The Transportation Security Administration has launched an internal investigation into an air marshal field office in Florida where supervisors are alleged to have used a crew assignment board to ridicule and keep score on women, gays and minorities, sources told CNN.
The board, resembling the TV game show “Jeopardy,” includes categories such as “pickle smokers,” “our gang” and “creatures,” which sources said were names used by managers for gay men, African-Americans and lesbians.
A photograph of the board was sent to CNN. The Transportation Security Administration confirmed the investigation in a written statement but did not elaborate on when the board was in use, where it was displayed or how it was used.
“Following a referral from DHS Office of the Inspector General, TSA’s Office of Inspection is conducting an ongoing investigation at the Orlando Field office,” the statement said.
“The Transportation Security Administration is dedicated to ensuring all employees are treated in a fair and lawful manner,” it said. “Accordingly, TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. The Federal Air Marshal Service will continue to provide its full cooperation and support to the investigation.”
TSA’s Office of Inspection will present its findings to TSA’s acting administrator for appropriate action, the agency said.
The Tsa which operates the Air Marshall Service has had a long history of Discrimination bases on court filings and my own personal experience. With that said, I’m really not surprised as I have seen similar incidents at CVG. They have the same management. What I do find surprising is that the Public continues to put up with this kind of treatment. These are the people who are supposed to keep us safe. Instead we end up with this. It says in the article, there will be in investigation. I’ll believe it when I see it.
This is just another example of why the TSA should be dismantled.
Entry filed under: The Truth. Tags: air marshall, airport security, discrimination, tsa.
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sean5294
The Truth about the TSA and Aviation Security 
1.
big fred | January 31, 2010 at 6:44 am
I had high hopes for this blog but I’m done visiting. You provide no real insights. The majority of your postings consist of “TSA is stupid. These are the people that are supposed to be protecting you.” Not to mention the fact that it is hard take seriously your proclamations about TSA’s stupidity when nearly every sentence has a misspelled word, random capitalization, or grammatical mistake. Invest in some proofreading or editing.
2.
sean5294 | January 31, 2010 at 8:55 am
I’m sorry you feel that way. Something you need to keep in mind is that when a person works for the TSA as long as I have, they begin to lose some of their cognitive abilities. This happens because a person is not allowed to make even the simplest decisions that pertain to their job. Ever decision you attempt to make is questioned by higher ups. The Tsa simply wants its employees to become mindless drones who do nothing more than fill a position.
3.
AngryMiller | January 31, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Fred, you’re a guest over here as am I. Guests usually don’t drop their pants on the floor and then proceed to crap on the carpet. If you have issues with the way things are written, then please take it up with they blog owner privately. That way you allow him to maintain his dignity and you not show the fact that you’re an ass.
As to high hopes for this blog, as time goes on Sean will probably expand on the topics. TSO’s job isn’t to protect us. It is to keep WEAPONS, INCENDIARIES, AND EXPLOSIVES off of the aircraft. Anything they do beyond that probably exceeds the scope of their responsibilities.
4.
sean5294 | January 31, 2010 at 7:19 pm
You are indeed correct sir. 🙂
5.
AngryMiller | January 31, 2010 at 7:24 am
The funny thing about this is that it was someone on the ‘inside’ who both took the picture and sent it to CNN. Perhaps some of the workers found the board very distasteful, unprofessional, and just down right mean spirited given the jobs those people were tasked to do.
What will probably happen is that the cell phones, and cameras these folks have with them will get searched for the deleted pictures. Once found their internet usage will be examined and if they find the individual who did this, will be fired. The managers that either encouraged it or allowed it to stay, will get shuffled off to a do-nothing job.
6.
sean5294 | January 31, 2010 at 8:36 am
I think that was most likely the case as well. I do know that managers have always been above the rules and rarely held accountable for their actions.
7.
AngryMiller | February 1, 2010 at 7:12 pm
This made the CBS afternoon news. Seems that Janet got rolled out for a comment. Perhaps the adverse publicity caused cracks in DHS/TSA foundation. If that’s the case then we’re winning.
8.
sean5294 | February 2, 2010 at 7:32 am
It definitely seems that way. Ill have to go check out what she said. Hopefully she realizes she is in way over her head.
9.
AngryMiller | February 8, 2010 at 8:46 am
Janet is so far in over her head that she doesn’t know it. DHS/TSA scandals/incidents continue on unabated by the continued use of poorly written procedures. In a way I feel for the folks forced to use those SOPs as they’re forced to walk point with the public while management hides in offices.
10.
sean5294 | February 9, 2010 at 7:23 am
Thats exactly how it is, the Sop seems to change every other day. The Screeners ask about the reasons for the change but are never told anything.
11.
AngryMiller | February 9, 2010 at 11:27 am
Not a good way to run a show. At least keep some information flowing to the people out on the front lines. That way they feel a litle more invovled in the process and will do a better job.
The screening process invovles nothing secret. You buy off the shelf components, put together a screening plan, then go for it. What is secret (not SSI), but actual HTG secret is the intelligence put together to evaluate threat levels (NSA, CIA, not DHS). Other than that the screening process should be a walk in the park for both the passengers and TSOs at the checkpoint.