Just ensuring the safety of the ball's travels.
Just another government boondoggle. TSA can justify its presence at virtually any high-profile event in the name of “homeland security.” And rest assured; those VIPER teams aren’t composed of your usual TSA gropers at the airport. I’ll bet you a dinner at your favorite steak place that all are supervisory personnel (probably GS-11 equivalent or higher) and many are from out of town.
It’s also a fair guess that most had been in town since Wednesday or Thursday of last week, to ensure adequate preparation time for Sunday’s operation. So, take the number of TSA employees present at the stadium and figure that each were getting at least $190 a day in per diem and lodging expenses, plus round-trip airfare for each TSA worker who’s not from the local area. And don’t forget to add in the rental cars (one for every two members of the team).
All told, the TSA wasted thousands of taxpayer dollars on their little “op” at the regular season finale. And it will be repeated at every playoff game and the Super Bowl. In fact, it would be rather interesting to see how many folks from DHS, TSA, the FBI, BATF, ICE and other security organizations will be in New Orleans for the big game in February.
They'd heard there was going to be some ball groping so charged the taxpayers for a training seminar.
Are we sure it wasn't armed?