Enough is enough - Jerry Chandler lets fly

Congress should flat out refuse the Bush Administration's request to double the security fee passengers pay at least until the Transportation Security Administration teaches its screeners some manners.

In the administration's Fiscal Year 2007 budget proposal, the one-way security fee would rise from $2.50 per passenger to $5.00. The proposal, if approved, would boost funding derived from passenger security fees to $3.3 billion.

If that's what it takes to run a safe, efficient system, fine. But the travelling public - through its elected representatives - should first insist that TSA personnel exhibit a bit of humanity when they prod, push, and otherwise order airline passengers about.

We're not asking for servility here, just common - and consistent - courtesy.

On a recent trip from Atlanta to Tokyo, my daughter Elizabeth, a relatively infrequent flyer who is frightened by air travel anyway, was verbally assaulted by a screener as she cleared security. Liz had done nothing wrong. The woman simply wanted her to move faster. When she cleared the magnetometer, and picked up her carry-on, another screener smiled sheepishly at Liz as if to say, “we're sorry”.

Talk to anybody who has travelled in recent years and you'll hear a variation on the same theme. As a very frequent flyer, I know that I would be far more willing to put up with the delays and inconvenience if I could count on the people who pull security to exhibit a uniform degree of decorum.

TSA employs some competent, courteous people - real professionals - but it also tolerates its share of bullies.

There are enough people out there who need jobs, especially older, retired workers. They're ready and willing to work for the good pay and benefits a government screener's position provides. There's no need for United States taxpayers to pay the government more money to hire malcontents.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Cheap Flight News