Convicted TSA Officer Reveals Secrets of Thefts at Airports

[n2doc]

By MEGAN CHUCHMACH (@megcourtney) , RANDY KREIDER and BRIAN ROSS (@brianross)
Sept. 28, 2012
A convicted TSA security officer says he was part of a "culture" of indifference that allowed corrupt employees to prey on passengers' luggage and personal belongings with impunity, thanks to lax oversight and tip-offs from TSA colleagues.

"It was very commonplace, very," said Pythias Brown, a former TSA officer at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey who admits he stole more than $800,000 worth of items from luggage and security checkpoints over a four-year period.

"It was very convenient to steal," he said.

Speaking publicly for the first time after being released from prison, Brown told ABC News his four-year-long crime spree came to an end only because he tried to sell a camera he stole from the luggage of a CNN producer on E-bay but forget to remove all of the news networks' identifying stickers.

"It became so easy, I got complacent," Brown said.

more

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/convicted-tsa-officer-reveals-secrets-thefts-airports/story?id=17339513#.UGXN-Y5xudw

[handmade34]

1. my daughter

who is a TSA Officer just called a few minutes ago and told me about this guy... bitching because it is people like him who give her a bad name...

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/orlando-tsa-agent-fired-accused-stealing-ipad/nSNbP/

[guardian]

7. TSA has a bad name for many reasons

* violation of the 4th amendment
* ineffective security theater
* waste of money
* waste of time
* ever increasing totalitarian fascist scope of powers
* over zealous moron employees on a power trip

[hedgehog]

2. In the old days, we heard stories of baggage handlers stealing from luggage.

[HopeHoops]

3. It's much more open than that. Stuff that's confiscated in the screening is sold by lot.

That often includes family heirlooms like sewing scissors and pocket knives that are relinquished for the sake of making a plane. Brass knuckles, larger knives, and various nail trimming devices also end up in these auctions. The TSA makes a SHITLOAD off of that stuff!!!

It isn't about safety, it's about fascism.

[zappaman]

6. Here's a crazy idea!

Don't try to bring sewing scissors, pocket knives, brass knuckles, larger knifes, or various nail trimming devices on to a plane if you don't want them confiscated.
Do I need to add guns to this list?
Apparently so...
http://www.complex.com/city-guide/2012/08/821-guns-a-grenade-launcher-and-more-found-by-tsa-at-various-airports-in-2012

[HopeHoops]

8. Geeze. When I first started flying I got on with a 5" buck knife.

I primarily used it to cut wire ties in computer rooms. All I did was put it in the bin with my keys and pocket change and that was it. Non-issue. But nail clippers? As for the sewing scissors, it used to be common to see people (mostly women) doing needle work on long flights. Besides, anyone can get a pair of disposable chop sticks and some 40 grit sandpaper through TSA, spend 5 minutes in the bathroom, and have two weapons I guarantee would be more effective than a pair of nail clippers or sewing scissors.

Brass knuckles on the other hand, yeah, I can see them being confiscated, but only because they're illegal. We've got an entire rack loaded with num chucks (for karate). It would probably be a bad idea to take those through security. My daughter's 4' swords might raise an eyebrow or too as well. But I make wooden knives (a fraction of an inch shy of 6" blades) out of oak and poplar and no screening technique they have would catch one of those. With my wood shop, it wouldn't be hard to make an oak equivalent of brass knuckles. The wooden num chucks with rope instead of chain would also get through. The TSA is a joke, but a profitable one.

[flamingdem]

4. I know about this, it explains the a-hole attitudes

that used to happen, more ten years ago than now.

I left a pricey laptop, a mac, same color as the bin 6am in the morning, empty airport, they never made an announcement but luckily something reminded me and I ran back. Instead of helping me they made me jump through hoops and were sneering towards me and when I got angry they threatened. When I said it was an Apple they said "Oh you mean the color is red" and didn't make any moves towards getting it for me. It was ugly and I'll never forget it. Since then since I carry a lot with me I've had many bad experiences where I'm left waiting if I opt out and they try to separate me from my luggage. The latest was that I had to put my money belt through again but I wasn't allowed to watch the process!

Sorry to those who stick up for them and I realize it's more incompetence lately than anything but they DO NOT have the customer in mind and they are taught to be assholes with their attitude and that's just wrong. Plus, I don't want to be radiated by the backscatter machines and they make me stand next to them while I wait forever for them to find someone to maul me. I refuse to do this and then get threatened and questioned. Believe me I do everything to be cooperative to avoid problems but they are built in to this process.

[Nye Bevan]

5. The TSA is the perfect career for people who want to steal stuff and molest people.

And order people around and inconvenience them and wear a fancy uniform to feel important.

BTW, for Venn diagram fans:

[guardian]

9. TSA training film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=JawsXB-5xNY

[DCKit]

10. If that's the case, the TSA should be self-funding - a Republican dream. nt