Shakeup: TSA Suspends 12 Agents, Plans to Fire 36 in Hawaii For Improperly Screening Bags
- Posted on June 11, 2011 at 7:04pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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HONOLULU (AP) — The Transportation Security Administration said Friday it plans to fire 36 workers, including two high-ranking officials, and has suspended 12 others after an investigation found they did not properly screen baggage at Honolulu International Airport.
The 36 employees were placed on paid administrative leave Friday morning, TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said. They include the airport’s federal security director and the assistant federal security director for screening.
“They haven’t been fired yet,” Melendez said. “The process has begun.”
Each of the 36 workers will have an opportunity to appeal.
The 12 workers suspended Friday were found to be less culpable, Melendez said. They will be allowed to return to their jobs after a suspension without pay for up to 30 days.
The agency began an investigation at the end of last year after two Honolulu TSA employees told officials that thousands of bags weren’t checked properly or screened for traces of explosives. The employees were placed in non-security roles pending the outcome of the six-month probe.
The investigation was “exhaustive” and included interviews with more than 100 employees, Melendez said. It determined that some checked bags during one shift at the airport were not properly screened.
“A small percentage of commercial flights departing Honolulu were affected by this,” Melendez said. “This group of officers intentionally did not screen bags according to proper procedure.”
The Honolulu airport has 750 TSA employees.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents TSA workers, said the employees who are under fire faced pressure to make sure flights departed on time.
“While no one condones compromising security measures designed to keep the traveling public safe, it is NETU’s understanding that pressure from airlines and supervisors to ensure that morning international flights departed from Honolulu on time led to the events triggering the investigation and resulting discipline,” said Colleen M. Kelley, union president.
She said the investigation illustrates the need to provide the TSA with sufficient resources and personnel.
TSA management-level staff and National Deployment officers have been temporarily assigned to the airport to make up for the loss of the 48 employees, Melendez said.
Deputy Area Director Stanford Miyamoto has been named the airport’s acting federal security director.
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Comments (119)
Table Crumb
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:25pmHave we as Americans ever imagined we will come to a point in our county’s history when the private sector employees will be pitted against the public sector employee? Well it’s here. How sad and to make it worst is that they pulled it off. A wedge is officially driven between our unity as citizens. The power is in the people but the people are quickly becoming the government. United States of America is irrelevant without the “United Citizens of America”.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:44pm@ TABLE CRUMB
I imagine that great wedge between public and private sector is intentional. Just another way to spark off unrest. Another Cloward and Piven strategy to destroy America.
Report Post »desertdove
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:24pmI just want to say…. VOTE…..2012
Report Post »NSWPP
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:23pmSecurity of the people in their travel is a paramount concern and responsibility of the government, as is any police/security function. Suspended? They should be in jail for failure to discharge their duty. Sadly, the unions and jews have them kowtowing to the negros and the arab mongrels in the name of political correctness, and their bizarre and warped duty parameters only make it more likely that White people will die to placate the monsters of Mecca. But of course, that aligns with the intents of the blasphemous obscene traitor in the White House,who has yet to do anything right.
Report Post »richard bensen
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 2:06amright on! ‘88’
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:20pmI’d really like to see Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Janet Napolitano and other demo-crooks getting groped up and picked apart by TSA searches. I’d also like to have Air Force One screened by TSA. No exceptions! And they should also be charged top dollar for it.
Report Post »trooper
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:20pmThe monkeys stole my camera out of my bag in Boston once. Just goes to show ya, monkeys can’t be trained to be honest, no matter what! They always think YT owes them something for being so muck like apes and utterly stupid!
Report Post »Table Crumb
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:12pmBig government is not limited to Democrats. Big government is not limited to Republicans.
It’s only Liberalism or Conservatism…
READ….
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/mzuckerman/articles/2010/09/10/public-sector-workers-are-the-new-privileged-elite-class
Where are the indicators pointing?
The seed they sow now will bear it’s fruit in due time.
We will fight about who gets how much of the harvest later unless we plow the field now and plant new crop.
Report Post »Mr. Oshawott
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:54pmIt is so heartbreaking that none of those passengers that were interviewed ever heard of Benjamin Franklin’s solemn message: “Those who give up their freedoms for a little safety deserve neither freedom nor safety.” The unconstitutional frisks and the government-sponsored molestations of the Transportation Security Agency proves this message to be true every time.
Report Post »madhornet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:46pmmust be nice. They continue to fail to do a job right and then still get paid for it by sitting at home laughing all the way to the bank with their union benefits in hand. what’s to discuss by appeals? they did not screen properly so you fire them. they don’t belong working in our nations airports. One of these days somebody will be paid off millions, then not show up for work. most likely they would move out of the country to avoid being caught. I hope i’m wrong but someone will be getting desperate
Report Post »Rubicon
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:45pmFire all of those corrupt TSA workers, I do not have an ounce of sympathy.
Born and raised here on Oahu, I can tell you this the entire state is full of corruption. The unions run the state, they are the puppet masters here. The politician that kisses the unions a$$ the best is the one that WILL get into office. Hawaii is a liberal blue dog state, which really SUCKS for us conservatives here. On a brighter note I can tell you that the tides are changing here in Hawaii, I’ve noticed many people are starting to lean to conservative values and are finally waking up. Our local online newspaper comments are full of conservatives blasting the corruption and ideology of the states politicians especially Gov. “smoking my joint” Abercrombie. Our local news station have yet to report that his wife is a member of Democratic Socialist of America, and that the Gov, attends meeting/events for this radical group.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:48pmI believe you. And wasn’t it Hawaii that was “unable” to locate Obama’s birth certificate??
Report Post »TJexcite
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:39pmMaybe they did not search the bags because they saw that they belonged to some kids or people that did not look like terrorists so they let them though. Is that is worth a firing because they did what the people wanted not what the rules state.
People on the other TSA thread want nothing searched so the one who did not seach should be kept and fire the ones that did. That makes sense in someone reality.
Report Post »attitudijudi
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:37pmIt is not just Hawaii. TSA has a problem at most airports. Yesterday my husband watched a business woman have a full search of her carry on’s and herself and a few minutes later he watched a woman walk through the screening with her sneakers on. TSA never said a word. My husband has also been patted down more than once and he has blond hair/red mustach and a full blooded American that served in our armed services and had secret clearance. It is really humiliating when you are patted down by a 23 year old after you have served your country. If a policeman stopped you and told you he was going to search your car he could not without a warrant. How do these people get away with this crap?
Report Post »Outlaw_Josey_Wales
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:27pmWhen the TSA is unionized by the obama administration, no longer will incompetent TSA employee be suspended or fired, instead they will get a nice raise in pay.
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:27pmI think trained police officers only!!!!! And by the way that would make it Constitutional, you know that illegal search and seizure thingeeee!
Report Post »NJONY
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:24pmWhy does someone always have to make excuses. If their was a problem the workers should have notified their unions but they should not have allowed bags to go through without screening.
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:22pmWe are no safer today than before TSA was created, but we are so much less free. This experiment in expanding government must come to a close.
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:16pmLike…is anyone surprised…they are like hiring Anthony Weiner..only even more stupid…Most can’t even write their own names…Kind of gross…like many govt workers….
Report Post »AmericanLass
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:08pmImproperly checking of bags one gets fired. Improper groping of babies, small children, women, men, disabled and one get a pat on the back.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:20pmSEVEN HUNDRED and FIFTY at one airport? Are you kidding me????? I can pick twenty of my fellow retired friends and profile the the whole place. $8 an hour and all the donuts you can eat.
Report Post »Bob_R_OathKeeper
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:22pmThey aren’t touching my bag, my luggage either.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:56pm@ CHIPS1
Imagine how much that costs taxpayers! Nobody ever accused government of being efficient.
Report Post »BrownWaterVet
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 12:37amDon’ forget that these employees are all UNION members voting the UNION way: for Obama.
Semper Fortis
Report Post »BigMick51
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:05pmTSA (Totally Screwed up Administration) enough said!
Report Post »Wayne
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:07pmWe don’t these people all we need to do is watch for Easterners anyone who look like a Muslim, so far they are the only ones we have had a problem with. lets profile them all. And when we find one send them back where they come from.
Report Post »eat-more-bacon-USA
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:04pmWhat – weren’t they stealing enough out of the luggage?
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:18pmThey opened my daughters luggage , and opened her cosmetics and then did not close them and her clothing was ruined…
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:02pmDO NOT FLY, at all, ever again. Not until this “agency” is de-funded, debunked, and permanently dismissed from duty, action, whatever.
janetrhinouglything needs to go with them. O-U-T!
Report Post »axel@25
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:20pmExcellent idea…I’ll start driving to Hawaii or maybe take a bus or maybe the train. Or…the next time my boss wants me to make sales presentations in Seattle, Totonto, amd Atlanta, I‘ll suggest that I’ll need 2 weeks and 14 days of hotels, meals and $1000 in gas money…. That‘ll show the TSA who’s boss.
C’mon, you can admit it…you applied for a job as a TSA screener and were turned down.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:41pmWorks for me KICKAGRANDMA I will be driving over 1500 miles one way …. soon.
Report Post »Da Kingfish
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 2:15amDon’t forget de-turded, and for AXEL@25, his boss need to quit wasting money on him and tele confrence, but that wouldn’t get him away from home enough.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 6:18pmOR, you could use GOTOMEETING.com or one of those type online services, and save your boss the entire trip’s expenses, hotels, airfare, etc.
You have spoken with your wallet.
Enough people do this and the airlines will put pressure on the TSA.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:01pmFire them all.
Report Post »His Lamb is Satanic
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 7:59pmNo problem, TSA has 46,000 released calif inmates to hire now to join the rest of the perverts at the airports.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:29pmIn an earlier article it said that congresspervert anthony went into seclusion via air. I wondered if he went through the TSA pat down (or even the pornographic scanners – did they take away his blackberry? – inquiring minds want to know). Either way, I’m sure he was happy. Sorry to bring anthony into this story.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:23pm@ DALE
If they patted down Weiner, I hope they took pictures and tweeted them!
Report Post »Hula Calhoun
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 7:58pmSo the TSA is groping elderly women, children, babies and the mental challenged, but they aren’t screening all of the baggage? What is wrong with this picture? (answer begins with J-A-N-E-T)
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:38pmExactly … time for them ALL to go. Private security could do it better and cheaper.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 7:55pmTSA personnel are basically glorified security guards.
Report Post »What do you expect from people who could just as easily be working the door at your local supermarket?
walkwithme1966
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:45pmThat’s true they are just security guards, getting paid next to nothing. They don’t have to have any special skills to get their jobs – the whole system is a joke.! http://wp.me/pYLB7-13c
Report Post »texanpatriot
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 10:53pmWhatever happened to the local option to be able to hire contractors versus very expensive out of control feds?
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 10:10amWhen all this crap started, they took our shampoo’s, face creams, combs with lift tines, and now they want the dignity of our children. Has all this made you feel safer? Not when I look around and see the faces of those who slipped right through security and look like the type who should have been patted down and questioned.
Report Post »This whole TSA thingie is intended to make us more like sheeple, not safer. I quit flying. If I can’t drive, swim or row a boat, I’m not going anywhere until this craziness stops. I’ll only feel safer when they profile the types who have done us harm. (take a look at many of the TSA people; most look like they never finished high school, let alone capable of sweeping or washing dishes)
RightPolitically
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 7:54pmThe whole damn thing NEEDS TO GO……. No more TSA! Let’s find a better (non-government) answer.
Report Post »frustratedwithgovt
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:13pmI agree – the private sector can do it better, cheaper, and with more accountablity.
Report Post »publicuss
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:17pmYou are spot on! The Int’l Airlines Assoc. proposed the hiring of private ‘marshals’ for all aircraft-world wide to the faa and other int’l flight agencies since 1972… and are still refused. The IAA mantained that the increased cost to the flying customer would only be $5.00 US in this last years 2010 proposal. They also wanted to privitize the inspections to follow the Israeli model, that was included in the $5 bucks! I have flown for many years over seas and the lines move faster in Israel. It is not racial profiling that they use, it is facial/body movement. Just like that Lie to Me tv show that was cancelled. The Israelis, most don’t realize it is not the IDF walking around the airports, but private security in what resembles IDF uniforms. there are israeli police, but they are there to assist the private security. El Al adds $1.50 to every ticket (you gotta go through heck to see it broken down) for the armed air marshal you don’t see on the plane and the private screening/security you do see… The TSA still refuses to accept advice from the Israelis and instead treats normal Americans like suspects and can’t search a bag properly. I have watched closely how the israelis treat the Arabs and everyone else at BGA, and it is fast, efficient and there are no crotch grabs and still El Al has a PERFECT safety record.
https://www.eff.org/wp/patterns-misconduct-fbi-intelligence-violations
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:22pmI also agree – the TSA is nothing more than a gang of wild bandits given uniforms and official license by the Homeland Security to act as their bully boys and thugs.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:24pmWhere are the pedophiles and sex addicts gonna get their jollies now/
Report Post »Dale
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:24pmGee, 36 agents and management gone for not doing their job; and not one plane fell from the sky, not one terrorist gained control and flew it into anything. Makes one wonder just how effective these screening techniques are. I was troubled when one passenger said that they have the right to go through you bags. THEY DO NOT! You’re right the whole system, along with current management, odumbo [BIG EARS!], need to go.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:36pmMeanwhile they are feeling up the mentally challenged and babies …. and granny…. can’t “offend” the Muslims who MIGHT be terrorists. That is okay? All the TSA needs to be fired NOW!
TEA!
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:43pmOf course they didn’t get fired for improperly handling people, just the baggage. What a joke the whole thing is and we are probably no safer than we were before! http://wp.me/pYLB7-13c
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:55pmI wish it was up to the airlines……the free market works beautifully when left alone (hasn’t been left alone in a very long time)……Freedom works!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:01pmThis Goon squad was probably manhandling a retarded (Paying) flier. This org is a bunch of power hungry’s, leading a mob of thugs. With probably some nice ,level headed , peeps mixed in
Report Post »CatB
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:01pmWe aren’t .. we “the people” are more aware .. look who has stopped the terrorists ,,, shoe bomber …. passengers stopped it … Christmas underwear bomber .. passengers stopped it. These weren’t because of the government or TSA .. they were in SPITE of it!
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:25pm@ PUBLICUSS
I‘ve always thought that we should model our airport security after the Israeli’s version. It’s a much smarter, less invasive, and more effective approach!
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:38pmc’mon cut them some slack – they were probably too busy terrifying the mentally challenged and small children, looking up granny’s skirt and saluting the middle-eastern folks as they walked right on thru. Don’t they get points because their brethren off-island confiscated a very dangerous (ie: hard) plastic toy hammer
(heavy sarcasm & disgust is intentional)
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 9:54pm@ DUSTYLUV
They’ll have to go to wherever Weiner is getting his help, and hang out with him. And tweet it!
Report Post »GBMBulletsSKNRD
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 10:02pmI feel ohhhh so much safer when the government is involved. (wrong)
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 11:01pmFeel up old people and kids but have open borders. This country is run by fools, the insane and weiners. No wonder we are falling apart just like Rome. Our chickens have come home to roost
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 11:45pmTSA should have to get a warrant for search and seizure for anybody and everybody.!
Report Post »Bounder
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 12:57amProfiling. It’s the only sensible answer.
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 1:22amYes, a private organization…..Need people who have a work ethic but more importantly there are many who have an uncanny sixth sense and just know when something is not right. Remember several years ago a woman (an inspector) on the Canada border had that sixth sense and followed up on her sense and found a car to be full of explosives, I think it was New Year’s Eve. This guy had already passed other checks but she had a gut feeling about him and probably saved many lives. We need to do like Israel does at their borders!
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 4:06amNot to worry. Everything’s been taken care of, and we all know this could only happen in Hawaii….
Report Post »jhaydeng
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 6:45amThe TSA should suspend the TSA!
Report Post »joe3
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 6:50amTSA is the domestic security force that obama promised will be just as large and well funded as the military. in germany those kinda folks were known as brown shirts. america is dead people, the fascists have taken over. what are you going to do about it?
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 8:04am4 more years!!!! not, if I’m told to do something by the gov. that i don‘t like I don’t get in line for it. they got nothing i want except a drivers liscence. which is a hint or insite into all bs by them. ever deal with the angry cops, who are the jury also. usually disrespectfull. none of um can lose there job as easily as i.
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 3:15pmUse DOGS to sniff for whatever they are looking for. DOGS are inncorruptible, loyal, hard working, and pesonable. And, they work for biscuts and love to sniff crotches.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 6:14pmAnd so the UNION begins to wedge its way further into the TSA.
Just in case any of you TSA‘s weren’t convinced you needed our wonderful UNION, we’re stepping in to do something – anything – to make it look like you need us.
Just HAD to insert themselves, didn’t they!?!?
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