Live Q&A With Ex-TSA Agent Jason Harrington 141
Jason Harrington (@Jas0nHarringt0n) is a controversial blogger, frequent contributor to McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and one of the TSA's least favorite ex-employees. His descriptions of life on the job as a TSA agent caused some big waves and restarted a national discussion on security theater. Jason will be answering your questions below for the next couple of hours, or until the security line starts moving again. Please keep it to one question per post so everyone gets a chance.
Update: 03/01 02:11 GMT by S : Jason has finished up for now — you can skip to his answers at his user page, or simply browse the comments to read everything. Thanks Jason for answering our questions!
How do you think that it should work? (Score:5, Insightful)
Jason,
Thanks for being here and answering our questions. Given your experience working as a "line" TSA screener, how would you propose that we fix airport security, making it more effective, yet less intrusive for travelers? Clearly, the TSA isn't going away, and they will be the agency that regulates airport security for the foreseeable future. However, would you (for example) suggest empowering agents with additional flexibility? Perhaps implement policies more in-line with real security and risk management strategies, eschewing the current models of "security theater" and reactions to past threats? Maybe eschewing use of TSA's screeners, and having private firms provide security (again, under TSA regulations)? Something else altogether?
Re:Sampling drinks at the gate (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Hi Jason (Score:5, Insightful)
Why would anyone believe it suddenly becomes okay to violate people's fundamental liberties simply because someone is trying to "earn a living"?
Re:Sampling drinks at the gate (Score:4, Insightful)
Thanks for the answer. I avoided it by keeping my drink in my bag as I boarded the plane!
Whoa man, Jesus Christ! The TSA works hard to develop these comprehensive foolproof security measures such as looking for someone holding a drink and then scanning it. Can you please avoid giving the terrorists information that they otherwise could have never gotten if you hadn't posted common sense on the internet? Think of the goddamn children!
Obviously I need to write to my congressperson to push them to write a law that bans you from the internet or talking to people. In the name of security, of course.
Re:Two questions: (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Behind the scenes theft (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Lighters (Score:2, Insightful)
We should just get government thugs out of airports.
Re:Hi Jason (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:no groping please? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Hand swabbing (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:off-hour vending machines (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Looks, Gate Screening and Missing Your Flight (Score:5, Insightful)