Interviewer: Colin Miley
TSA Expert: Richard Archer, Lead Transportation Officer, Transportation Security Association
Location: Bradley International Airport
Question: Do you enjoy your job at TSA?
Answer: Yes, I enjoy working with different people every day.
Question: Do you think full-body scanners are dangerous because they emit radiation?
Answer: That is a big misconception. They use millimeter waves, not the same radiation as the old ones. Those were x-rays. The current ones emit extremely little amount of radiation.
Question: Do you think full-body scanners and pat-downs invade privacy?
Answer: No. A lot of people miss the point that flying is a privilege, not a right. Terrorists can hide things that are non-metallic that metal detectors can't find. That's why we need body scanners. It does invade personal space though. You can ALWAYS choose a pat-down in a private room. We are required to offer one.
Question: Do you think TSA Screening violates the 4th amendment which states you are secure against unreasonable searches and seizures?
Answer: Absolutely not. The courts have made an exception for airport screening. It is not a violation.
Question: Have you ever stopped anyone with dangerous materials or objects from passing through security?
Answer: Absolutely. I have found a wide collection of guns, knives, pepper spray, mace, and throwing stars. On average, around forty-five loaded weapons are found in passenger bags per week around the country.
Question: Do you think TSA PreCheck is a good idea?
Answer: Precheck helps the process. Everyone is pre-screened before they get to the airport through a computer data base. When you buy a ticket your name runs through watch lists, etc.
Question: Should people who have not gone through pre-screening, be allowed to randomly go through the Precheck line?
Answer: No, people always go through screening when they buy a ticket, but not as much as the pre-screening (finger print etc.) you need for Precheck.
Question: Should people who have gone through pre-screening be guaranteed that they can go through Precheck line, or should they be randomly excluded?
Answer: They should be randomly excluded but on a small scale. 96% of people will get to go to the Precheck line. It keeps people honest because they might have to have full screening.
Question: If you were a passenger on a plane, would you want to go through security?
Answer: I am required to go through security. There have been times when workers try to go through the back door and got caught.
Question: Do you think there are any ways the system could be improved?
Answer: There are always more ways to improve. It could be more efficient. A more educated and informed public would help things run more efficiently.
Question: Has anyone gotten angry at you while you were screening them?
Answer: Absolutely. Sometimes people ask not to go through the machine and then they have to have a pat-down and don't want one. You need to act professionally and try to reduce the stress level. If needed call your supervisor.
TSA Expert: Richard Archer, Lead Transportation Officer, Transportation Security Association
Location: Bradley International Airport
Question: Do you enjoy your job at TSA?
Answer: Yes, I enjoy working with different people every day.
Question: Do you think full-body scanners are dangerous because they emit radiation?
Answer: That is a big misconception. They use millimeter waves, not the same radiation as the old ones. Those were x-rays. The current ones emit extremely little amount of radiation.
Question: Do you think full-body scanners and pat-downs invade privacy?
Answer: No. A lot of people miss the point that flying is a privilege, not a right. Terrorists can hide things that are non-metallic that metal detectors can't find. That's why we need body scanners. It does invade personal space though. You can ALWAYS choose a pat-down in a private room. We are required to offer one.
Question: Do you think TSA Screening violates the 4th amendment which states you are secure against unreasonable searches and seizures?
Answer: Absolutely not. The courts have made an exception for airport screening. It is not a violation.
Question: Have you ever stopped anyone with dangerous materials or objects from passing through security?
Answer: Absolutely. I have found a wide collection of guns, knives, pepper spray, mace, and throwing stars. On average, around forty-five loaded weapons are found in passenger bags per week around the country.
Question: Do you think TSA PreCheck is a good idea?
Answer: Precheck helps the process. Everyone is pre-screened before they get to the airport through a computer data base. When you buy a ticket your name runs through watch lists, etc.
Question: Should people who have not gone through pre-screening, be allowed to randomly go through the Precheck line?
Answer: No, people always go through screening when they buy a ticket, but not as much as the pre-screening (finger print etc.) you need for Precheck.
Question: Should people who have gone through pre-screening be guaranteed that they can go through Precheck line, or should they be randomly excluded?
Answer: They should be randomly excluded but on a small scale. 96% of people will get to go to the Precheck line. It keeps people honest because they might have to have full screening.
Question: If you were a passenger on a plane, would you want to go through security?
Answer: I am required to go through security. There have been times when workers try to go through the back door and got caught.
Question: Do you think there are any ways the system could be improved?
Answer: There are always more ways to improve. It could be more efficient. A more educated and informed public would help things run more efficiently.
Question: Has anyone gotten angry at you while you were screening them?
Answer: Absolutely. Sometimes people ask not to go through the machine and then they have to have a pat-down and don't want one. You need to act professionally and try to reduce the stress level. If needed call your supervisor.