Misconduct of airport screeners probed as other issues lurk

[alp227]

Joe Davidson, "Federal Eye" columnist at the Washington Post, 8/2/12

Maybe the timing wasn’t meant to rain on the union’s parade, but Democrats found it curious that Wednesday’s hearing on airport screener misdeeds fell on the same day the agency met to finalize a labor contract.

The title of the hearing into Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer behavior, “Breach of Trust: Addressing Misconduct Among TSA Screeners,” set the tone, at least from the Republican side.

Even more to the point was the opening statement from Rep. Mike D. Rogers (R-Ala.), the chairman of the Homeland Security subcommittee on transportation security: “Stealing from checked luggage; accepting bribes from drug smugglers; sleeping or drinking while on duty — this kind of criminal behavior and negligence has contributed significantly to TSA’s shattered public image.”

This hearing on the TSA and others that the Republican majority has called do more than examine whatever the particular issue is on the agenda. They feed a GOP narrative that the TSA is too big, much of its work should be privatized and a union contract could make things worse.

full: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/misconduct-of-airport-screeners-probed-as-other-issues-lurk/2012/08/01/gJQAI4bOQX_singlePage.html

[NYC_SKP]

1. More:

Congressman: TSA represents everything wrong with the Federal Government
August 1, 2012

Charlie Spiering
Commentary Staff Writer
The Washington Examiner


Members of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security this morning questioned a Transportation Security agency official during a hearing about recent reports of criminal behavior and misconduct from their screeners or employees.

In recent months, TSA agents have been charged with stealing laptops from checked luggage, accepting bribes from drug smugglers, sleeping on the job or drinking while on duty.

Putting up a chart, subcommittee chairman Rep. Mike Rogers R-Ala. pointed out that the process for dismissal at the TSA was inefficient.

“In Americans mind, TSA represents everything wrong with the federal government. Bloated bureaucracy.” Rogers R-AL stated during the hearing to TSA Deputy Administrator John Halinski.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/congressman-tsa-represents-everything-wrong-with-the-federal-government/article/2503761

[davidpdx]

2. I have heard stories about stealing from luggage in the 90's

Had a gf that worked for a subcontractor at PDX in the 90s. I heard all kinds of stories about what went on. Security was so lax back then. I was able to go into restricted areas (obviously escorted) and ride in the cockpit of an American Airlines plane.

This maybe one argument against the idea of subcontractors.