Government

TSA Agent Cracks Timothy McVeigh Bomb Joke to Passenger

TSA Agent Timothy McVeight Bomb JokeWhat do you think might happen to you if, while in line waiting to be screened at the airport, you decided to crack a joke about Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh? An enhanced pat-down would probably be the least of your worries.

So one airline traveler was taken aback recently at Boston’s Logan Airport when, after opting out of the new full-body scanners and electing for an enhanced pat-down, a TSA agent decided to tell such a joke. Here’s how he recalls it to The Consumerist:

After I passed the screening with no incident, the TSA screener quipped that “I guess you’re not a member of the Timothy McVeigh Fan Club.”

Now, if I had made a joke about Timothy McVeigh while waiting in the TSA line, I’d end up in a holding room somewhere. Shouldn’t TSA take airline security as seriously as they force us to?

Odd, isn’t it? The Consumerist decided to contact the TSA and got a response. TSA didn’t deny the incident, but said it would take action:

TSA trains its officers to conduct themselves with professionalism at all times. We regularly remind passengers that inappropriate jokes and comments will be taken seriously and that absolutely holds true for our workforce as well. TSA does not condone such remarks and will take the appropriate steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

One can only imagine what “appropriate steps” means.

This isn’t the first time in recent memory that a worker at the airport has been accused of either joking about security or abusing it. Earlier this month, a woman in Philadelphia was allegedly thrown off a plane after a gate agent complained to the pilots that the woman was a “security risk.” But the woman claims the agent was simply upset because she snapped a picture of the agent’s name tag after she said the agent was rude.

Comments (59)

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  • BurntHills
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:30am

    the TSA are the ACORN backwater that couldn’t make it as mall cops.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • Chris
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:18pm

      Recently a man who couldn’t make it as a Sailor was thrown out of the US Navy for abusing his Government Issued Travel Card for an approximate amount of around $4,000. He is now working for the TSA… Since the TSA is a government entity they have the ability to look though US Military records for NJP’s and the such. So even with this information at hand they still hired this martian… There’s a reason why I hate the gas prices skyrocketing here in the states… It’s because I drive so much more than I will EVER fly now that the government is in control of my safety in the air.

      Report Post »  
    • nptden
      Posted on July 20, 2011 at 2:29am

      Who authorized the TSA to hire ex-felons? Is this another ‘affirmative action’ job? Maybe it‘s time to take toll of the ’ACORN” hired people in Federal Jobs.

      Report Post » nptden  
  • RED-DAWN
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:04am

    BULLCOP34 You must be an intern for the retards that publish this supermarket tabloid crap

    Just because you are paranoid, does not mean they are not out to get you !!!

    Report Post »  
  • loveoursoldiers
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:35am

    mil-dot
    you are exactly correct.. we ( white people) are being conditioned to be ruled by BLTs and/or radical Islam. What is scary that many don’t see it and think that somehow they are safer because old white people and white babies are being searched while those who have fake boarding passes and come from places where many known terrorists come from…etc. fly .. and ostensibly bring their tazers with them without detection
    something is very wrong here
    where is the outrage?
    Issa should be investigating this
    maybe we should be contacting Issa and demanding a probe into what TSA is doing and what they ARE NOT DOING
    How is it that jihadist nut jobs are making threats to kill Americans just about every day and yet those who may be part of that group are not subject to enhanced screening.. hey if you check babies‘ diapers because they could secrete something in there isn’t that profiling of babies?
    profile .. profile
    OR
    SCREEN EVERYONE
    otherwise flying is NOT safe

    Report Post » loveoursoldiers  
  • IPSE_DIXIT
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:22am

    Another fine example of the work done by the

    Terrorists
    Subjugating
    Americans

    Resistance is futile. Once we have you all trained to put up with this nonsense imagine what we will do to you and your precious liberty.

    Ipse Dixit

    Report Post » IPSE_DIXIT  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:02am

    “Officers?” Fu** the TSA. They are not ‘agents’ or ‘officers’. Anybody can be a TSA employee. They lie, they steal, they grope, and they get away with it.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
    • Neo Con John
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:36am

      kickinback: I agree with your sentiment regarding the TSA, however, in an effort to raise the bar a little higher than the huffpo, we should substitute the word “barrack” for the adjective you used above,
      for instance, “barrack the TSA” , if you stop and think about it it really fits.
      That is in fact what he is trying to do to our great country, I think you will concur.
      An other good way to untilize this adjective would be to say we the American people are being “barracked” every day by this administration.
      This in fact is a more accurate and fitting way to present our side with the responsibility being placed right where it belongs I believe.After all the word “barrack” is very offensive to many on this website.
      Just a thought on my part sir.

      Report Post »  
  • Bill Rowland
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:59am

    Every time we give up our rights in the name of security or safety we allow ourselves to be controlled by the professional politicians. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! Big Brother is here – they can search you, bug your phone,enter your home because someone thought you were suspisious. They no longer need warrants and just one ATF or DEA or FBI agent can do it on his own authority. Kiss your freedoms goodbye. The things that made this country great are disappearing and we are not doing anything about it.

    Report Post »  
  • million
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:32am

    Draft Allen West for POTUS in 2012

    http://allenwest2012.ning.com/

    Report Post » million  
  • wethepeoplepress
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:28am

    Check out my TSA story, I captured it on video. Upon leaving the plane and entering Atlanta airport passengers came out to blaring flashing lights and a emergency message over the loud speaker, very interesting. What was spooky was the comment the TSA or Airport women gave me.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPo8R79lQ6Q

    Report Post » wethepeoplepress  
    • Bullcop34
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 10:17am

      And just what was so interesting about that? Have you ever been in a building when they have a fire alarm? or what about the TSA lady that told you something that is not on your video? You must be an intern for the retards that publish this supermarket tabloid crap

      Report Post » Bullcop34  
  • LIBSALWAYSLIE
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:14am

    TSA are government employees, every week we see several stories about them doing something stupid. Patting down small children, little old ladies in wheelchairs, etc.

    Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
    • chazman
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:23am

      A passenger would have been arrested for making jokes like that. I guarentee it.

      Report Post »  
  • cabnetdude
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:11am

    The TSA is a Nazi organization! Period! Enforced by the Dark Lord and his filthy left wing regime. Anything they say or do anti American. You can try to justify thier existense any way you want but that fact remains that these thugs are about CONTROL…not about the safety of Americans.

    Report Post »  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:24am

      The TSA was started by Governor Tom Ridge as his assignment from Bush and Cheney. Judge Michael Chertoff took it over when Ridge showed common sense that was equated with weakness.

      The Chertoff Group is today the principal TSA consulting firm for body image scanners at $175,000 a copy without software and maintenance. It turns out sniffer dogs were not profitable enough.

      Halliburton has open ended contracts with TSA, that allow no-bid awards for all sorts of cost plus fee construction projects at 20% profit.

      Report Post » MONICNE  
  • Mil-Dot
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:11am

    The TSA is nothing but a minority hiring hall with a few white guys and gals (fat ones) thrown in for color. Just like the US Postal Service.

    Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:53am

    TSA agents are fat, rude, not educated and run by a bunch of political appointees. It’s a jobs deal for the poor and they are sharing their liberal thoughts. How come it wasn’t a joke about an Islamic nut case, eh? Talk about living in the past. JIMHO

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:05am

      Stop insulting fat and rude people!

      Report Post »  
    • mobynowak
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:07am

      That’s because their training tells them that the “lily whites” are the real threat and not the Muslim males between the ages of 25-40.

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:13am

      Hopefully, the appropriate action will be taken before the NLRB allows the TSA to unionize!

      Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:14am

      This whole “inappropriate comment” crap is nothing other than thought control. If a person truely had intentions to do harm they would not be joking about it-hence the term “joking”. It is nothing other than brainwashing the American people into not insulting members of minority groups. I think it violates the 1st Amendment.

      Report Post »  
  • brntout
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:49am

    So what was the punchline that made it a joke? Where’s Neopolitan on this one?

    Report Post »  
  • Sound The Trumpet In Zion
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:42am

    “TSA trains its officers to conduct themselves with professionalism at all times.”
    This is impossible for them to train them to be professional since there is no way that what they have these perverts do could be considered professional in any way, shape or form.

    @one years food ration like glenn says
    It is quite obvious that you have not dealt with the TSA. The times I have went through they didn’t give me any kind of hard time but I saw them acting that way with others. Or perhaps you are with the TSA?

    Report Post » Sound The Trumpet In Zion  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:42am

      @sound – its obvious you lack reasoning ability.
      Just because YOU had a good experience does not mean that they ALL are professional.
      So, you should not dismiss others’ bad experiences based solely on your own.

      I‘ve seen them pull a ’marital aid’ out of luggage and hold them in the air and start laughing while the owner turned as red as her lipstick. Then, they started SHOUTING to one another to look at it. Then, they started giggling and laughing about it.

      I’ve head them curse. I’ve heard them call people derrogatory names – racial, sexual, etc.

      So, before you get on your high horse, and declare that they are all PERFECT because YOU have never seen anything to the contrary; you might wanna LISTEN to what others have experienced.

      Me thinks your brush is WAAAAAAYYY too broad.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
  • Hockeydadfla
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:28am

    Funny union TSA member…. This is a mockery of the American way. Next the TSA will recommend an amnesty box to leave your constitution at the airport door. Another example that has to be changed after the 2012 elections. God willing.

    Report Post » Hockeydadfla  
    • Thighmaster
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:40am

      So you still beleive there will be an election in 2012? Why do you think they’re doing all this “positioning” then?

      Report Post » Thighmaster  
  • Av8tor056
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:27am

    Enhanced Pat-down: The politically correct way of saying sexually assaulted by government official.

    Report Post » Av8tor056  
  • TopOfTheMuffin2u
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:27am

    Now I know why they are doing the enhanced pat downs. They are looking for white Christian people not middle eastern men. I guess I need to read the paper and listen more intently to the 5 o’clock news, because I didn’t realize who the biggest threat was. HHHMMMM. Who is the enemy???

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:18am

      I totally agree, this makes all the pat downs make sense. It’s the media telling everyone that all Christians are extremists and want to bomb places. I have one question…I don’t recall at the time that Timothy Mcveigh was labeled as a Christian and doing that so that he could get to heaven (on a holy mission) like the jihadists claim.

      Report Post »  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 11:37am

      the obamaite TSA moron was making a snark remark meaning gun-owner Conservatives were in some kind of Tim McVeigh fan club.

      Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:26am

    “Appropriate” means they will let it continue to happen, encouraging more and more severe actions and ‘jokes’ from the agents until someone finally goes off in a panic at them. I would personally in this matter, having had so much trouble with the TSA in the past, ask for a air marshall to come over and have the agent arrested for making viable and serious threats in my direction.

    I personally take my own safety very seriously as well, and figure it has to run in both ways; for all I would know at that point the agent was the terrorist and trying to blame me for a mess. Joke or not, there is no excuse for that happening. NONE.
    http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • troutbum71
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:20am

    duality at its finest…

    Report Post » troutbum71  
    • love the kids
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:21am

      Hopefully they unionize soon so the worker can fight the decipline

      Report Post »  
    • one years food ration like glenn says
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:30am

      This is ridiculous , it was an obvious a joke.. If the man being pat down said ( after the pat down) I guess I don’t belong to the Timothy Mcveigh bomb club ,with a smile on his face, I‘m positive nothing would’ve happened and I bet they all would get a laugh out of it.. The guy is making a big deal out of nothing..

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
  • On_The_Spot
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:20am

    Despite all of the announcements that “Security is no joke”, airport security in the United States is a joke. We have become the laughing stock of global air travel, and the TSA hasn’t got a clue.

    It’s long past time to drop the “Politically Correct” mantra and do the job the same as they do in Israel – no fancy, potentially dangerous, machines, just good old common sense and profiling by professional, trained (typically ex-military) security.

    Report Post » On_The_Spot  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:19am

    The whole TSA is a joke.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • MONICNE
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:18am

      Thank the patriotic guys who started it, who are now working as body image scanner consultants. LOL

      TEA

      Report Post » MONICNE  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on July 19, 2011 at 9:28am

      The TSA is not a joke. They are part of the “civilian army” that Obama was talking about. “Just as powerful, just as well funded” as the US Military. They are the beginnings of the Brown Shirts. They will eventually morph into something else even more sinister. There will be road blocks and check point in the name of “security”. And, all of this conditioning of the American people to “shut up and do what we say” will lead them to quietly obey while being marched into “re-education camps”. Just like the Jews in WWII.

      Report Post »  
  • NOTAMUSHROOM
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:17am

    Well now that the TSA is AFL-CIO or whatever, he’ll be sent to a holding room with full pay and benefits.

    Report Post »  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:16am

    tsa needs to be pitched out now.

    WHY are we still flying, folks? Really?

    Report Post »  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:16am

    If the joke had been told TO the TSA agent BY the passenger – well, the guy would probably still be in a holding cell somewhere.

    Not funny. Not funny at all. And very unprofessional – but not surprising – its the TSA..

    Report Post »  
  • jagr1850
    Posted on July 19, 2011 at 8:15am

    the big tsa joke might be that they never captured a terrorist in over 10 years….

    Report Post » jagr1850  
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