Screeners Say Agency Discriminates, Targets Complainers
We know this isn't a popular
position... but for a moment, put yourself in the shoes of an
airport screener.
You don't make a lot of money, and have watched as management
promotes others over you for reasons you suspect have more to do
with nepotism than any actual qualifications. Oh, and each working
day you're faced with a general public that resents your existence,
questions your effectiveness, and may even be trying to smuggle
dangerous devices past you.
With that in mind, it should surprise no one that morale among
Transportation Security Administration screeners is at an all-time
low. But don't take our word for it -- that's the finding of a
controversial 29-page report released this week by Homeland
Security Department Inspector General Richard Skinner.
USA Today reports Skinner interviewed screeners at eight
airports across the nation, who had previously filed complaints
against the agency. Among his findings -- a full 50 percent of
those interviewed are unhappy with their working environment. Some
accused TSA of nepotism and discrimination, while others said
overall workforce malaise contributes to high turnover rates, and a
spate of injuries at checkpoints.
They also fear retribution if they take their concerns to senior
officials... even the agency's ombudsmans, who are supposed to be
impartial third-party arbitrators.
Those findings aren't really anything new; other studies have
indicated the same thing. But Skinner's report is the first to link
disgruntled screeners to a possible drop in security.
"Given their frustration, employees may be distracted and less
focused on their security and screening responsibilities," the
report states. Skinner also accuses TSA of "not successfully
addressing ... longstanding workplace issues."
The report's findings riled TSA Chief Kip Hawley, who says
Skinner focused only on disgruntled screeners... and not those who
are generally content with their jobs. "This results in flawed
conclusions," Hawley pointedly said.
Boston screener AJ Castilla,
spokesman for a screener's union, said conflicts between screeners
and their managers have had a negative impact on effectiveness.
"With low morale, you can definitely lose your focus," Castilla
said.
That doesn't jibe with the official TSA position, however,
espoused by deputy administrator Gale Rossides. She claims morale
is "very good" and screeners "are very much turned on" and focused
on security.
"We have areas to improve upon, but we also have made great
strides," she added.
A DHS survey released earlier this year paints a somewhat
different picture, though. In that survey, 94 percent of screeners
said their work was important... but only 20 percent said
promotions are based on merit, not connections.
Hawley is also battling his own past statements. Two years ago,
he infamously characterized screening as "a dead-end job."