TSA: I'm a believer

[Typhoon1244]

Yesterday, I entered my home airport (DFW) through a security check point fully staffed by the TSA for the first time. I was shocked! They were courteous, efficient, intelligent, and American! But it didn't stop there. They actually treated me like what I am, their partner in airport security...as opposed to a potential security threat that the Argenbright knuckleheads treated me like.

After I cleared the entry, I went over to the supervisors and shook both their hands, told them that we were all glad to have them (the TSA) there, and that they were doing a great job.

I don't think anyone ever complimented them before; they didn't know what to say.

I don't know if the TSA is going to completely fix airport security--I tend to doubt it--but I'm glad to see them focusing their attention on actual problems instead of flight crews. By the way, I'm not alone in this attitude; everybody I talked to from my company agreed that the TSA is a massive improvement over what we had.

I hope they keep it up.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Not too shabby...

I was down at DFW today, too. In civvies and with my son (had to go to ops). I showed my SIDA badge and they actually treated me like I belonged there. The where courteous, professional and very good command of the english language.

I will withhold judgement for a while until I get around the system and see if it is consistent. I was impressed though, and hope it keeps up.

So far, so good.

That being said, I didn't feel any safer than before. To be fair I never felt unsafe though. Granted the TSA isn't really there to make us safer, just to make the public feel better. As long as they make things less of a pain in the a$$, maybe the public will come back.

Load factor, load factor, GO! GO! GO!
Load factor, load factor, GO! GO! GO!

 

[avbug]

Eventus stultorum magister

What does that mean?

 

[MetroSheriff]

Eventus stultorum magister

What does that mean?

Experience is the master of fools.

Or more loosely, Fools must be taught by experience.

 

[RichardFitzwell]

Typhoon1244,

Thank you for the post. Your comments are appreciated.

 

[generaltso]

My experience with TSA at BWI has been great so far. Who ever I dealt with, they were nice, had english as their primary language, and they all wished me a good flight.

 

[Dep676]

Glad to hear it.

I am glad to hear of some good experiences.

I also want to publicly apologize to Mr. RichardFitzwell. I am sorry I have bashed in the last few days and posts. I neither know you or others that work for the TSA. I was just going on what I have heard and observed at the airport the last time I flew. I hope that the TSA and it's employees can make things better for all passengers. Although I still believe profiling needs to be done.

Good luck to all and Fly safe.
Truse, Fitzwell

 

[172driver]

I posted a while back that I thought the TSA was a 180 degree change from the previous knuckle draggers. I have had nothing but good experiences with them. Though I was still selected to have the 'special' screening as a non-rev, they had it done within minutes. They were polite but not friendly. Almost a military type efficiency. I think they were at MCO earlier than most other places. Glad to see they're at other airports now. Let the Ardenbright people go back to their caves...

 

[Saluki Dawg]

It's amazing what paying TSA employees more than a 3-4 year regional F/O does for their professionalism and great attitudes! I guess if I was making that much money my first year with only a H.S. Diploma if you're lucky, I'd have a grin on my face too.

I was in GRR and GSO last week during a 4 day trip, and I swear that the TSA at those 2 airports had a 2 to 1 ratio between them and the number of passengers in the terminal. How many of these new screeners do they think we need anyway?

I will say that I don't have a beef with any of them. They were all very courteous and professional. When I told one of them that they make more than our 3 and 4 year First Officers, he laughed and said "I don't think so". He actually thought that I was lying to him. That's just plain sad!

 

[schafjet]

It is sad that the screeners make more than the 3 or 4 yr. F/O, I remember those days at Great Lakes, but it is also sad that I and many other pilots on furlough have to go and work for the TSA for much less than what we were accustomed too. Don't get me wrong I am thankful for the job that will pay me 32.9 a year, but I think right about now I would much rather be one of those F/O's making a little less. I never thought I would miss flying as much as I do. You people who have flying jobs, count your blessings. It sucks to see your buddies going thru security on their way to their airplanes to start a trip.