TSA - They're Great - KMCO

[JEP]

....

More than half the federal security force at Orlando International Airport failed a test in June to measure how well the officers detect explosives, guns and other threats at passenger checkpoints, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Associated Press
Last update: August 23, 2006 – 12:17 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. — More than half the federal security force at Orlando International Airport failed a test in June to measure how well the officers detect explosives, guns and other threats at passenger checkpoints, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

A total of 501 people failed a test known as Threat Image Projection in June, according to a Transportation Security Administration memorandum obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. That represents about 60 percent of the airport's 830 security officers.

The test randomly flashes images of explosives or other banned items onto the X-ray screen as carry-on bags are being processed through the machines.

Officers who consistently fail to recognize dangerous images fail the test and are required to undergo remedial training.

TSA spokesman Christopher White declined to comment Wednesday on any of the numbers cited by the newspaper but said the officers fared better on the test in July. He called the June test results an "anomaly'' and noted that the test is just one of many methods used to evaluate officers.

The high number of failures in June was the result of an increased number of new and less-experienced officers on the job, scheduling changes and new, less-familiar threat images on the test, White said.

"The traveling public should be very comfortable with the level of security officers are providing,'' he said.

The agency also evaluates officers by sending undercover employees through checkpoints with concealed weapons.

[saxman66]

Yeah, I really don't think security is that much better since 911. Just my opinion though.

[Tim]

I can remember when working the ramp at MCO I could pass through the metal detectors with steel toes shoes/boots on and the metal chain holding my id and it would never set the alarm off. But when non reving and no metal it my watch would set it off. Very consistent there....

[surreal1221]

Are we suppose to be surprised?

The TSA is absolutely nothing, zero, zilch. They mean, and do NOTHING.

It's all fake.

[TheShortOne]

gov't conspiricy?

[kellwolf]

Yet, I would get stopped in full on ramp uniform (okay, it was a grey SWA t-shirt and blue shorts, but it WAS the ramp uniform....) with my SIDA badge proudly displayed on my left bicep and get the third degree over a bin pin.....

[Tim]

Steve did you guys have bin stretchers at SWA?

[kellwolf]

Not that I know of. What's a bin stretcher? If you mean kicking bags until you can close the nets, then yeah.

[tonyw]

I think that the TSA is a good show for your typical Aunt Bessie to make her feel better. Those of us who have a clue or two realize how easy it would be to defeat these types of screening.

Real security measures, such as explosive detection screening systems, would require the TSA to show some competence. And since we know the department of homeland (in)security has shown nothing of the sort, what can we expect?

Micheal Jerkoff and Krap Hawley deserve special places in the bureaucratic hall of shame.

[Tim]

A bin stretcher is a thing you send the new guy after. He will go to a supervisor working in another area and ask him and then that supervisor will send him somewhere else. Its nothing but a wild goose chase for the new guy. We had a guy that was gone for 3 hours looking for one. He went from B concourse down to the TOC and back.....good thing he had a sense of humor.

Its not kicking them....its stragetically placing them in order to provide the best performance numbers for the flight

[kellwolf]

Nah, but we had plenty of flight line and prop wash.

Sent some guy after some prop wash. He came back with a Delta bucket and some soap.....

[Tim]

Beautiful...........ahh the good ole days of the ramp...I just dont miss the wind, rain, cold or heat..otherwise it was a great job

[kellwolf]

Well, I don't miss the rain or the heat.....

[Tim]

At ATL when the winds come from the NW and whips around building or making the drive from E concourse to A..man it sucked big time....

[bLizZuE]

This makes me feel good...