Originally Posted by
Phrog Phlyer
I agree we shouldn't take a delay, but disagree that keeping them ignorant is the best approach. I've always found it better to work with a properly informed person than an ignorant one.
What we need, IMHO, is for ALPA National to work with the TSA/FAA on a clearly delineated policy about what to expect during these inspections/tag-alongs so as to avoid confusion and misinformation over the authority the TSA.
Agreed 100%.
Originally Posted by
DustyRoads
One problem I have seen with TSA is they are trained to engage pilots in a conversation. This is to smell your breath for alcohol. To me this seems confrontational, especially since I know why they are doing it.
There's a two-fold problem here. Pilots are paranoid of TSA and TSA screeners are paranoid of pilots. We get nowhere by being paranoid of each other. Maybe the TSA screener is talking to you to smell your breath. Or maybe the screener is actually just being nice. I find if you smile and say "Hi. How're you doing today," you get snarled at less often. Usually if you treat someone civilly, they'll do the same back. And if they don't at least you know you're the better person for being nice/polite/civil/personable/professional. Confrontation very rarely enables progress. I understand it might be necessary sometimes, depending on the individual, but it's not the best path all the time.