Don’t Touch My Junk!
Unless…
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is back in the news, and as usual, it’s not in a good way. The latest accusation is that checkpoint screeners out of Denver International Airport (DIA) were fired for allegedly plotting to set up male passengers for additional screenings so that they could grope them. From time to time, alleged TSA gropings are reported in the news, but this latest plot evolved around screeners picking out “attractive” male passengers in the checkpoint lines and sending them to another part of the checkpoint for “additional” screening.
First, the passengers would go through a body-scanning machine. If these findings were deemed inconclusive (more likely, adequate), they would be sent to another part of the checkpoint for a “pat-down”. I’m sure this wasn’t like the exam for testicular cancer that a doctor performs during your annual medical physical. Thank goodness we haven’t heard of any incidents of TSA conducting free prostate examinations.
In response to this latest incident, TSA took swift action and terminated the screeners involved with the DIA groping incidents. Acting TSA Administrator Melvin Carraway stated the following on TSA’s blog:
Disturbing Incident in Denver
By now I’m sure some of you have seen or heard reports in the media about a pair of Transportation Security Officers at Denver International Airport who were engaged in what can only be described as egregiously inappropriate behavior at the passenger screening checkpoint.
The two were caught because an alert employee noticed something was not right and reported it to TSA’s Office of Inspection Hotline. After a thorough investigation, including a review of closed-circuit television camera footage, the allegation was confirmed and the individuals were removed from duty and are no longer with the agency. They now potentially face local criminal charges as well.
This blatant violation of public trust by two individuals has significantly tarnished TSA’s reputation. Think about it — in an agency that employs more than 50,000 people, the irresponsible and potentially illegal behavior of just one or two reckless employees can severely and negatively impact the operational effectiveness of everyone else committed to carrying out our vital national security mission.
The vast majority of our employees act with the utmost integrity and professionalism every day, but unfortunately the conduct of a few can do significant damage to the entire workforce — and this damage is very difficult to overcome. We are committed to working very hard to prove ourselves to the public we serve in the months ahead to regain your trust.
Our mission requires that we initiate direct contact with the American people millions of times each day. In doing so we must learn from every incident and become better. The lone bright spot in this dark and disturbing behavior is that another employee saw what was going on and did not allow it to continue. Our workforce is strongly encouraged to report illegal or unethical behavior wherever and whenever they see it. Professionalism and integrity are at the core of who we are as counterterrorism professionals, and it is up to each and every one of us to demonstrate this with every passenger at every airport around the country. We must perform our work, for you the traveling public, with honor and pride. Anything less is a disservice and will not be tolerated.
Melvin J. Carraway
Acting Administrator
TSA is trying to make the point that this incident was remote and not tolerated, which is good to hear. It’s very probable that out of 50,000 employees, there will be a few “bad apples” in TSA, just like there are in every other aspect of our daily lives — from bad cops who are supposed to protect us to perverted teachers who we trust to teach our children in a safe learning environment. I wonder why some passengers get so upset going through the airport screening process? Everyone wants to be assured that his or her flights are safe and that everything is properly screened and checked for contraband, so what’s the big fuss?
Many of my friends in law enforcement (the good cops) say a perfect place to hide weapons — or explosives, for that matter — is in one’s undergarments, whether it’s underwear or a bra. It’s TSA’s mission to secure the aviation domain, so no matter how intrusive one thinks of the screening process, it has to be done.
I know everyone remembers 9–11. Today, there are still a number of threats from numerous terrorist groups. We do not want any more acts of terror occurring on U.S. soil, especially like the ones that occurred on that beautiful Tuesday morning. TSA is doing everything within its scope to protect this vital transportation venue. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the stats below.
This is the total amount of guns that TSA screeners found on passengers as they processed through their screening checkpoints from April 24, 2015 through April 30, 2015 (just six days):
- 49 guns… and 44 of them were loaded!
- Plus, 24 stun guns, 2 flashbang grenades and a replica claymore mine. Who cares if it is fake… why are you bringing it to the airport???
- This is insane: What about all of these knives that don’t look like you brought them from your kitchen drawer so you can cut a Chipotle burrito in half to share with a fellow passenger?
Most of us air travelers have good intentions and mean to do no harm to our fellow passengers. We, ourselves, know that fact, but TSA does not, just as the police officer who pulls someone over in a traffic stop does not know us. Most passengers go through the same screening process and may be subject to undergo additional screening procedures. TSA does have a program called TSA Pre✓ which allows an individual to apply for a vigorous background check. In turn, these passengers are permitted to go through an expedited screening process. Keep in mind that TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed TSA Pre✓ screening.
I have flown over three million miles on business since 2002. Yes, at times the TSA screening process can be quite cumbersome, but only in a few instances have I had a negative experience with a TSA screener and I have never felt like I was intentionally groped or violated (and I’m a good looking guy, too). These people have quite a difficult job — ensuring our protection. I know they are strangers, but it is their mission to ensure that events such as the terrorist attacks of 9–11 never happen again.
When you travel next time, remember these reasons and cut the TSA screeners a little slack. I’m sure they don’t want to grope you, no matter how good looking you think you are!
This Scipio Securitas contribution was written by a career federal transportation security official.
Brought to you by Scipio Securitas — Improving Homeland Security Awareness!
Follow Scipio Securitas on Facebook and Twitter.
