Watchdog report faults TSA on Amtrak security

[MARC Rider]

TSA undercover tests have people pose as normal passengers and try to sneak both fake explosives and banned weapons through security.

That article is about a year old. Perhaps TSA has fixed some things.

Also, I'm not sure the tests meant anything. Apparently the testers had full knowledge of all security protocols in place. Unless our security system is totally infiltrated by the various terrorists groups, I don't think it's a fair test. They should be hiring outside security consultants with no access to current agency practice to to the tests.

Besides, as people have mentioned, who needs to get guns and bombs on a plane anymore? Just commit your terrorist act at the crowded security line. TSA should be developing systems to minimize the impact of attacks like that, things that probably involve passive architectural solutions, not simply invest in bossy little functionaries who aren't totally effective, anyway. For one thing, it might be nice if there are on-site paramedics and emergency room faculties at every airport and large train station. No all security involves macho men with guns.

 

[MARC Rider]

The TSA just canned the Head of TSA, Security ( aka " The Fall Guy") after the IG revealed that he had been given a $90,000 Bonus based on cooked books.

Not quite. We're dealing with the government, where you can't be fired for anything. He was just removed from his position. He's still being paid by us, and probably for doing nothing now. (Not that he was doing anything before.)

Not entirely true. In my government career, I've seen people get canned. It's mostly for conduct issues, like an IT guy at one of the agencies I worked at who used government computers for a side business, They sure got rid of him pretty quick.

For performance issues, they'll usually do more passive-aggressive stuff to get rid of you, like reassign you to the field office in Bismarck, ND, or the equivalent. In fact, they will be more than happy to write a glowing recommendation to an employee with performance problems who is applying for another job just to get rid of them. However, I've also seen incidents where the agency actually goes through the entire process and cans someone for performance issues.

 

[Thirdrail7]

The TSA just canned the Head of TSA, Security ( aka " The Fall Guy") after the IG revealed that he had been given a $90,000 Bonus based on cooked books.

Not quite. We're dealing with the government, where you can't be fired for anything. He was just removed from his position. He's still being paid by us, and probably for doing nothing now. (Not that he was doing anything before.)

Rumor has it he is on the short list of people considered to replace Boardman*.

* I just started that rumor.

 

[hermit]

The TSA just canned the Head of TSA, Security ( aka " The Fall Guy") after the IG revealed that he had been given a $90,000 Bonus based on cooked books.

Not quite. We're dealing with the government, where you can't be fired for anything. He was just removed from his position. He's still being paid by us, and probably for doing nothing now. (Not that he was doing anything before.)

Rumor has it he is on the short list of people considered to replace Boardman*.

* I just started that rumor.

lololol

 

[JoeBas]

TSA undercover tests have people pose as normal passengers and try to sneak both fake explosives and banned weapons through security.

That article is about a year old. Perhaps TSA has fixed some things.

Also, I'm not sure the tests meant anything. Apparently the testers had full knowledge of all security protocols in place. Unless our security system is totally infiltrated by the various terrorists groups, I don't think it's a fair test. They should be hiring outside security consultants with no access to current agency practice to to the tests.

Besides, as people have mentioned, who needs to get guns and bombs on a plane anymore? Just commit your terrorist act at the crowded security line. TSA should be developing systems to minimize the impact of attacks like that, things that probably involve passive architectural solutions, not simply invest in bossy little functionaries who aren't totally effective, anyway. For one thing, it might be nice if there are on-site paramedics and emergency room faculties at every airport and large train station. No all security involves macho men with guns.

Given that the rates have been there for over a decade, I'm going to go with "No, they haven't fixed this". ESPECIALLY given that these are literally cartoon-like things that actually LOOK like bombs, and they can't even find those.

And yeah, with their high turnover and inability to recruit and keep employees, I'm sure there's NO chance that any bad guys could get hired on for a couple months and learn all their SSI super secret information. Now, where did I put that rolling eyes emoticon...

But the thing is... they don't even have to go through the trouble. Just become an airside vendor, who have virtually unfettered access to the sterile area, and are only occasionally randomly checked, because they've been "vetted". It's like putting a lock, and deadbolt, and chain, and bars, and a vault door, and snarling dogs, and a mine field and barbed wire, in front of your front door, and leaving your back door with a rusty screen door with an eyehook.

 

[NW cannonball]

What? ME worry?

Actually I don't worry.

Yeah, the "shoes" and the "remember 1 3 3 " blueshirt theatre - yeah yeah.

Actually here at MSP , yes the back door is unlocked, and -- "be prepared to be scared" -- and -- not wanting to be racist or such but -- (half or more of the secure-side workers are -- "Muslims -- "

I like most of the Somali Muslims that work at MSP. Some of them have joshed me "Hey man you look like Saddam!" (that was before my beard turned gray)

I ride the bus with "Scary Muslims" every day. Not scary.

Can't find the quote from HLM, but -- roughly -- "keep people scared, they will pay you for 'protection'"

I can and do put up with a lot of phony "security" crapola that doesn't help me at all. I'm a socialist. Jobs for the losers.

TSA undercover tests have people pose as normal passengers and try to sneak both fake explosives and banned weapons through security.

That article is about a year old. Perhaps TSA has fixed some things.

Also, I'm not sure the tests meant anything. Apparently the testers had full knowledge of all security protocols in place. Unless our security system is totally infiltrated by the various terrorists groups, I don't think it's a fair test. They should be hiring outside security consultants with no access to current agency practice to to the tests.

Besides, as people have mentioned, who needs to get guns and bombs on a plane anymore? Just commit your terrorist act at the crowded security line. TSA should be developing systems to minimize the impact of attacks like that, things that probably involve passive architectural solutions, not simply invest in bossy little functionaries who aren't totally effective, anyway. For one thing, it might be nice if there are on-site paramedics and emergency room faculties at every airport and large train station. No all security involves macho men with guns.

Given that the rates have been there for over a decade, I'm going to go with "No, they haven't fixed this". ESPECIALLY given that these are literally cartoon-like things that actually LOOK like bombs, and they can't even find those.

And yeah, with their high turnover and inability to recruit and keep employees, I'm sure there's NO chance that any bad guys could get hired on for a couple months and learn all their SSI super secret information. Now, where did I put that rolling eyes emoticon...

But the thing is... they don't even have to go through the trouble. Just become an airside vendor, who have virtually unfettered access to the sterile area, and are only occasionally randomly checked, because they've been "vetted". It's like putting a lock, and deadbolt, and chain, and bars, and a vault door, and snarling dogs, and a mine field and barbed wire, in front of your front door, and leaving your back door with a rusty screen door with an eyehook.

 

[neroden]

For one thing, it might be nice if there are on-site paramedics and emergency room faculties at every airport and large train station. No all security involves macho men with guns.

Damn good idea.

 

[CelticWhisper]

Now a group of senators are pushing to have this resolved and...what, to have airport-style BS introduced?

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/US-senators-call-on-TSA-to-address-passenger-rail-security--48512

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Now a group of senators are pushing to have this resolved and...what, to have airport-style BS introduced?

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/US-senators-call-on-TSA-to-address-passenger-rail-security--48512

Anyone who doesn't want to see the TSA setting up in train stations full time should probably take a few minutes to inform their senators and congresspeople of their position. Running away from the airlines isn't going to make the TSA go away. The TSA has already reached critical mass and is more than large enough to be perpetually self sustaining at this point.

 

[andersone]

yes lets stop the terrorists swarming on the train in Osceaola,,,,,,,,

 

[JoeBas]

Now a group of senators are pushing to have this resolved and...what, to have airport-style BS introduced?

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/US-senators-call-on-TSA-to-address-passenger-rail-security--48512

Hey, they hit ALL the Chicken Little states. Well done!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Why stop @ the Brown, er Blue Shirts setting up their gauntles in the Rail Stations.

Let's put them at every Bridge,Overpass,Yard,Grade Crossing, heck, they can even cover every mile of the Rails!

Instant job creation for millions! It'll be huge and the Mexicans can pay for it!

 

[JoeBas]

TBH the above list is likely more "concerned"* about commuter rail than they are long distance.

* By concerned, I mean they just want cover to say they wanted to do something, in case anything ever does happen, so they don't get blamed.