In another life when I was in training at the TSA during their initial start they had us confiscating scissors from pilots. I questioned the rational of that because the pilots were in the cockpit and in control of the plane anyway.
The reason to confiscate from pilots was “Someone might break into the cockpit during flight and go straight to the pilots personal gear, take the scissors and try to take over the plane”.
I just sat there in amazement at the Barney Fife mall Ninja wannabe’s answer. I needed a job at the time so I bit my tongue. Some of the the people I worked with initially were actually fairly well educated and motivated just post 9/11 and needed a job as well. The rest of the TSA screeners were doing good just to get dressed and actually find their way to work.
The organization slowly changed into a giant welfare to work make-work project for the chronically unemployable.
“The organization slowly changed into a giant welfare to work make-work project for the chronically unemployable.”
I had friends who tried to become TSA screeners shortly after the agency was formed. The screeners test was very difficult and you had to be pretty sharp to pass it.
I don’t know about what the test is like now but if you look at what the job pays (entry level) and the working hours (usually part time), I doubt that they attract the best and brightest into government service.