Community Chat

[pateacher]

I was so upset that TSA personnel, who keep us safe, worked without pay during the recent government shutdown.

DH and I did a trip to Lousiana last week,  I made sure to thank everyone who works to provide safety for passengers.  I was surprised at those who were taken aback by my thanks.

Maybe I am behind the times, and maybe some will say that they are paid to keep us safe, which wasn't technically true during the shutdown.  However, sometimes a simple "thank you" can brighten anyone's day. People, regardless of their job, enjoy a little gratitude.

[Kinz]

I traveled to New Mexico during the government shut down and I also thanked the TSA.  They were very pleased to be acknowledged for their hard work and commitment.

[kitcat51]

There are plenty of important things to be upset about, that one doesn't make my list. They worked, got paid, done...fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.

[goldensrbest]

---

@kitcat51 wrote:

There are plenty of important things to be upset about, that one doesn't make my list. They worked, got paid, done...fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.

---

They make very little ,and have a important job to do ,our safety in the air depends on them, your post shows how un grateful you are.

[FrostyBabe1]

I don't want to see anyone put in the position that these folks were put in recently. 

However; the idea that the TSA "keeps us safe"? That's just plain laughable. As recently as November of 2017, they had a 70% failure rate when being tested on their skills at detecting weapons being smuggled thru checkpoints. And that was an IMPROVEMENT over 2015 when the failure rate was 95%! 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2017/11/09/tsa-misses-70-of-fake-weapons-but-thats-an-...

[I am still oxox]

Just a note all gov't worker,s those who worked without pay and were furloughed are receiving back pay

[pateacher]

I was safe for my roundtrip. Maybe I was lucky, or maybe it was TSA.

I don't know, but I hate to think about what might happen without them.

Back pay does not cover late fees, and contractors were not repaid.

[bikerbabe]

Unfortunately all the contractors and other people whose jobs rely on the government, but are not direct government employees, are not so lucky. No compensation for them.

[goldensrbest]

I don't see saying thank you as a problem.

[FrostyBabe1]

---

@pateacher wrote:

I was safe for my roundtrip. Maybe I was lucky, or maybe it was TSA.

I don't know, but I hate to think about what might happen without them.

---

Or maybe it was the FAA inspectors and mechanics that made sure it was safe for your aircraft to be in the sky. Or maybe it was ATC who made sure you didn't run in to another plane, either on the ground or in the sky. Or maybe it was the cockpit crew with their years of training and experience flying sophisticated aircraft. Or maybe it was the FAM's placed discretely thru out the cabin, keeping an eye on things. 

I'm all for effective, efficient airport security. But the TSA isn't it. Contrary to what they'd have you believe, they're not law enforcement officers and have very little actual authority. They're really nothing more than the airport version of a mall cop. And as a very frequent flyer, I've seen and experienced them doing things that are completely outrageous.