You know people, I find the whole TSA experience a large PITA. I think the lack of consistency and transparency is maddening. The waste of resources screening flight crews ludicrous.

But stop your sniveling.

Another word for Screeners is people. TSA agents have the same strengths and weaknesses, foibles and faults as we all, collectively, do.

Do they need a new uniform? Probably not. The blue does look more like law enforcement then the white/maroon did. It probably won't hurt their ability to do their job.

Are they Federal Employees? They damn well better be. I don't want any private firm operating airport security ever again. Sure they come in saying "We can do a better job. We're more responsive. We're more efficient." Bottom line is they're looking at the bottom line. That means more money or less service. Which do you think is easier for a private contractor to accomplish?

They are our first line of defense. And all they are is a trip wire. Are any of you old enough to remember Rome and Vienna? Probably not. Rome and Vienna airport attacks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The TSA can't defend against that kind of attack, except by being the target themselves. A shiny badge is just an aiming point for a certain kind of person. And y'all have the stones to spite them for it?

When the TSA does their job, in the manner in which they have been directed and trained to do, it makes our lives more difficult. I don't like it, I don't think it is efficient, nor find it necessary; and I don't expect you to either. However I do respect the individuals who are doing that job, no matter how personally annoying I find the process to be.

As fellow human beings, they deserve your respect too.