The TSA was spawned from Satan.......
 

.......or might have well have been. Up until this point, I have tried to refrain from complaining, but I am now an official complainer in the ranks of complaining pilots.

The TSA is an evil organization. Their goal in life is to make our lives miserable. Many of the employees take a sadistic pleasure in exerting their power.

We go through the same background checks as TSA employees. Why do we have to go through security in the first place? I guess they are afraid we will take control of the airplane.

Oh, but we get the privelege of being exempt from the liquid rule when in uniform. I was commuting the other day from DFW and was harrassed about my coffee when I didn't have my uniform on, though I did have my ID. Geez, would it make you feel better if I went to the bathroom and put my uniform on? This is a stupid rule. Anyone can purchase a pilot uniform online. Not everyone can get an airline ID. Besides, I was drinking the darn thing. Guess I can have an ax behind my seat but not a cup of coffee.

The majority of TSA employees are uneducated government workers looking to feed off my tax dollars. Hell, they probably love the terrorists because it gives them job security.

OK union guys. I always read about how the unions unite and make a pilot's job better. Why aren't they standing up to the feds to eliminate the senseless harrassment to our flight crews? Most of it is window dressing for the public, but it needs to stop. We get our background checked just like them. We should be able to bypass security.

Any thoughts on this subject are greatly appreciated, plus any info on petitions or changes to the rules to relax the screening on flight crews.

So, for us non-121 guys, what is FFDO?

Haha... I thought you meant TranStates... and yes they are spawned from Satan... both TSA's.

Terrorist killer.

TSA has never given me too many issues. Though I hate when they run the belt through crashing my bags and everybody else stuff everywhere. Canada's security is great and they actually look at your ID and are respectful. In fact there are some TSA girls in BOS that are pretty hot.

Hopefully John Praeter will deliver on this crewpass thing.

I know I am not the only one who has seen carry on bags go through the X-ray machine while the TSA screener is telling a story to her friend, not looking at the computer screen as the bags and run through.

Meanwhile, the same TSA agents are allowed to go in and out of the metal detectors full of god knows what items, setting off the detectors, and continuing on to where ever that may be. While I have seen pilots accidentally set of the detector twice, and get a 5 minute thorough patdown in front of confused and concerned looking passengers. I have seen those agents purposefully make those pilots look like the enemy! Unbelievable!!

I have seen many questionable looking people working for the TSA. I just can not believe these people are allowed to walk right through the metal detectors with whatever they want.

Yeah the whole "you're not in uniform thing gets me." If you have to commute the night before and really don't feel like wearing the monkey suite becuase you have to wear it for another 4 days after that.... ugh.. Someone needs to post the SNL skit on the TSA.

I do not give TSA an inch. If they try to bypass the metal detector, I cry foul. I ask for the manager on duty. When I do not get the answers I want, I tell them I will call the local news. They do not like that kind of publicity.

You asked for it...one of the best skits ever! http://youtube.com/watch?v=9PmqsYvWi0U

Just be thankful your uniform isnt a jump suit with seven metal zippers...

"Just frisk me and get it overwith.."

that snl video is too funny!!!

Well not only we go through the same background checks, but c'mon, how can they have more power than the crew when it comes to safety??????
You want to check if im carrying anything I can use as a weapon??? well, you see that thing parked outside weighing 70,000lbs…!!!!!!
TSA it's definitely doing a job that needs to be done, but they have to stop when it gets too ridiculous and annoying for pilots that are way more interested in safety than anybody else would ever be:mad:

Federal Flight Deck Officer

Why are you guys hating on these TSA employees? Don't they seem like they are career aviation professionals? Afterall they have weeks of training. Sorry, I meant a week of training.

I got the 10 minute pat down while in uniform, in front of many many people going through security. Shoes removed, everything...it's so stupid.

Hold on ladies and gentlemen...after the TSA is done looking inside my shoes, I'll be right down to the gate so we can push off.

And of course, when commuting, I wasn't in uniform, so they felt it super important to take my toothpaste.

I get a kick out of seeing them all the time at a Meijer outside of Detroit with their unfiroms untucked, unbuttoned shirts, "D" hat on backwards, or a do-rag. Walking around like a bunch of thugs, standing outside, 3-4 in a group, smoking, probably talking about how many old ladies they beat up today, and how dumb the gubermint is for giving them these joke jobs.

Then of course some are not that bad either, but come on.

What a stupid ignorant thing to say.

Be careful about posting SSI on this board...

If you're in uniform and they want to give you additional screening, ask to speak to the supervisor on duty. A "3-striper" is good, but you really want somebody in a suit.

I agree, the TSA is completely inept...when I was MKE based, I was going through security by the D concourse, in full uniform with ID, etc, and the screener stopped me and asked if I had a boarding pass. I said I didn't have one as I was ON DUTY and IN UNIFORM, to which I got a blank stare and just got waved through.

I don't have a boarding pass, but I DO have a giant bottle of shampoo in my bag!!

Expanding on my original point....thank god there are still some bases that don't require us to be screened at all.....

......contrary to what a lot of my buddies say, not everything about my home base is an ORDeal.........

I was totally unaware of the requirement to be in uniform. I commute from IAD (never in uniform) and consistently have all my toiletries scattered in my suitcase. They haven't said a thing to me. Nice to see there's no standard across the board. But hey, it hasn't hurt me yet.

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I can't think of a single good reason to jumpseat out of uniform. For me, it's all about not taking my shoes off! :)

That's borderline SSI...your'e right - so why did you quote me so that I could not withdraw my comment??

Moderator Input
 

I realize many of you are trying to help your fellow pilots, but please be careful of the type of information you're posting here, especially when it comes to FFDO and jumpseating procedures. If there is any doubt as to whether it is sensitive or not, be conservative and don't post it. Thank you for your cooperation.

I'm sure if there is going to be a breach of security, it will come from the pilots. I sure couldn't see a security breach coming from that highly trained and disciplined group of TSA screeners. No question about it. I know who I would put my trust in.

LoL

My big argument w/being screened when I'm on-duty is that it just doesn't make any sense...the TSA says we cannot be trusted enough to bypass security (but we are entrusted with 50+ lives at 450kts). If we can't be trusted, why are pax even boarding our planes??

I'll second that........my worst fear is a TSA screener with a "Turkey Sandwich".

For those of you who didn't get that........click on http://youtube.com/watch?v=9PmqsYvWi0U

They got that one spot on. What a bunch of retards.

I wasn't in uniform, even had a boarding pass and my AIRLINE id, and the checker griped at me for not showing her my drivers license...ummm....My crew badge doesn't work?? Reluctantly, I got out my wallet. To the TSA's credit, it was a concract worker, not a TSA person.

I go through all the time not in uniform. Only been asked to remove my shoes once...

Much of the problems with TSA are due to the fact that the individual screeners are given ZERO leeway to use their own judgment and have to follow protocol to the letter. Unfortunately it seems more and more TSA agents have the "Between the start of the line and the metal detector, I AM the law, and you will obey me" type attitude.

The lack of consistency and amount of disrespect shown both to the crews and passengers is disgusting at times. Crews should be able to commute out of uniform with IDs without losing their shaving cream, or dignity, in the process.

Although its hard not to start laughing when your standing there, in uniform, with no shoes, getting the pat down from a TSA agent with everyone watching. "Right this way folks, they've confiscated my nail clippers, so everyones safe now. Welcome aboard"

You forgot.......the PA announcement should be.."Right this way folks, they've confiscated my nail clippers, so everyones safe now. Welcome aboard........and try not to trip over my crash axe........and if you as much look at me wrong, I will toss a gallon of blue juice in everyones face!!!!!!!!!!" and Once again, on behalf of the crew... welcome aboard:D

Location: Denver

Jumpseating to the AK to start a trip, wearing uniform pants and a nice polo type shirt. Usually check my bag because of long trips, couldn't this time. TSA guy says I can't take toiletries through. I pull out uniform shirt and epaullettes while standing in line, take off polo, replace with uniform shirt and tie. Immediately allowed to go through with liquids, gels, etc.

Brilliant.

everyone has complaints about it, but how do we improve the situation?

Take Amtrak? Actually, A good start would be stop recruiting stupid people. But honestly who are you going to get to do that job that that has half a clue.

Maybe we oughta get Elvis to screen us! ;-)

1. Realize that a pilot uniform is not an additional security measure and the wearing, or lack of wearing, one should have no bearing on security procedures, whatever those procedures may be.

2. Realize pilots and crew have gone through the same, if not more so, stringent background checks than TSA agents and do not pose a threat to the flight regardless of what they bring on board (liquids, gels, etc).

3. If an airline crew ID is not sufficient to positively ID someone as a member of the crew, then change the crew ID system. Personally I feel the ID looks "less advanced" security wise than many states drivers licenses, if thats the problem, address it.

I would like to add:

Maybe the airline unions should lobby congress to get this fixed. They seem to have alot of energy to protest things. Maybe a protest would bring some attention to it.