The Heat In Da Kitchen Is Now Way Too Hot!

Just when you thought that the TSA had stemmed the flow of bad news out comes a doozie!

On June 24th, someone flying out of Boston's Logan Airport did so without having his i.d. properly checked and matched to his boarding ticket. He made a cross country trip to L.A. and an alert flight attendant suspected that something was wrong. The man was occupying a seat that should have been empty and, when questioned by the flight attendant, was unable to produced any valid boarding pass and seat assignment.

Rep. John Mica has all the ammo he needs; he must be tickled pink. Thank goodness for the end of June; July has to be better.

Here's the complete story!

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-security-breech30-m,0,3693004.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fnews+%28L.A.+Times+-+Top+News%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

What do we hope to accomplish?

Body Scanners!

We have supplied you with information which we deem to be of high importance. A tremendous amount of time is spent gathering and reading this information before it is released to you.

Too many medical centers have cast more than a shade of a doubt about the information that has been released by the TSA. The government has a history of telling half truths, and, when it concerns us all, whom would you rather believe? The TSA or these professors and scientists?

The TSA statement that there is minimal risk is unacceptable, especially now when so many are speaking up about the safety of these body scanners.

Let your voice be heard! Send emails or letters to the TSA or to your elected officials demanding more complete and truthful information.

Cancer Warning- You need to read this!

You may have seen this news today and you may not have. This is what they don't want you to know.

http://www.tgdaily.com/hardware-features/56899-tsa-ignored-warnings-on-cancer-cluster

Stay informed!

When will the Idiocy Stop?

We hope that the TSA, behind the scenes, is taking steps to insure that something like this never happens again. Officially, they are defending what was done. But, what are they really doing?

Actions like this are impossible to justify. The TSA is just heading down the wrong path and a change is inevitable.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/26/florida.tsa.incident/index.html

Rep. John Mica feels da pain!

In an article, which we will include a link to, Mr. Mica talks about " a solution to a dysfunctional workplace." According to him, the only way to correct these issues is to go to private contractors.

Huh? It seems that he is totally and completely fooled by Mr. Gerry L. Berry of Winter Springs,Florida. If he wants an honest and frank opinion of the morale and working conditions here at SFO he will never get it from Mr. Berry.

Mr. Berry condones favoritism! He condones girlfriends promoting their boyfriends. He condones the promotion of people who don't meet the basic qualifications set forth in our job postings. Just look at the recently announced promotions for the SCC positions. All three of them have not been here the required one full year. Yet, our H.R. department looks the other way when they should be crying out that this is wrong!

(Also, isn't it amazing how quickly these promotions were filled and announced? Yet, the promotions for the Checkpoint and Baggage are still left unfilled. What are we missing here?)

Mr. Mica should just continue to focus on the bloated staffing levels at the TSA. He needs to do more "homework" before he makes a statement about feeling our pain and frustration. His solution is not a solution, it would only change the "warden."

http://gcn.com/blogs/gov-careers/2011/06/feeling-tsa-workers-pain.aspx

Just More of the Same Ole Thing!

Why even post the qualifications for the SCC positions if they don't really matter? The people who were chosen for those promotions did not meet the basic requirements. Were those qualifications only listed to keep the number of applicants down?

We urge you to seriously consider filing a complaint with either the EEOC or the NLRB. Use whichever agency that is most suited to deal with your issues. Age discrimination, gender bias, life style choices? Use the one that fits your situation.

The onus is on you to stand up and fight for fair treatment. We will help you as much as we can.

What we will not be getting!

You guessed it, we will not be getting a shift differential.

Let's translate, into dollars and cents, what this means to those who work between 1800 hrs and 0600 hrs. For the sake of argument let's say that it is a difference of 2 dollars an hour. Multiple that by the number of hours that you work. ( it will vary depending on your starting time.)

Now, here is the kicker, if one of those work days happens to be a Sunday tack on another 25% or, in our example, 5 dollars more per hour. So now, we are talking about an extra 7 bucks per hour. Do the math, how much is our not getting shift differential costing you? ( Per day, per week, per month, per year!)

This new CBA will be for 3 more years. Multiple all those numbers by 3! Figure out how much you are not getting and then tell us that it doesn't matter. It's time to get involved. Speak up and tell this union what we expect out of them.

If our "lack of bargaining" committee is not experienced enough to not sell us short they should bring in some more experienced negotiators.

SEIU has to show us that they are representing us well and that they are earning the dues that they so willing collect.

Are You Highly Favored?

How can you tell if you are one of the highly favored at CAS? Take this simple quiz.

You are 2 hours late for work. Again. Your superior:
a. writes you up.
b. rips you a new one.
c. sends you to see HR.
d. jokingly asks you not to do it again.

If the answer is d, you are one of the highly favored. Dena Crawford, we are looking at you. Again.

The Honeymoon is Over!

When John Pistole was appointed the new TSA Administrator, we here, had a difference of opinion concerning the future direction of the TSA. I, for one, thought that he was the right man for the job and had asked that we give him time.

Initially, the changes that he had suggested seemed to be for the better. Well, he has now proven himself capable of "business as usual." Has there been any real positive changes at the TSA? Can anyone really say that the TSA has improved and has earned the trust of John and Jane Q. Public?

We have seen numerous and embarrassing missteps. We have seen, almost on a daily basis, the lack of moral fiber in a few "bad" apples amongst the TSA workforce. We have seen the constant complaints and the call for change at the TSA from the media. Has the TSA made any attempt to properly deal with these issues? What we have seen is the creation of new departments and the ever increasing staffing levels. To what end?

What do we take away from what happened in HNL?

This should serve as a reminder that we are here to provide security. Don't let the size of the line or the amount of baggage waiting to be screened cause you to be less thorough.

We need to follow the SOP 100%! Do what we were hired to do and protect yourself from losing your job. Let's control the things that we can control. Staffing and scheduling issues are beyond our control; that's the responsibility of management.

As a private contractor in the TSA world we are watched more carefully, especially now since Rep. John Mica is pushing for drastic changes at the TSA.

"A word to the wise should be sufficient."

A Father's Day Poem!

A poem says it best! Enjoy this day.

A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He's someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He's proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There's always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you're even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad...
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you!
Happy Father's Day

How much longer....

will CAS delay the announcement of the promotions? At some point they should be running out of excuses. Who can they say is on vacation and are waiting for? (A dose of role reversal is in order.)

Congratulations to those that will be promoted. To those that didn't quite make it; our condolences. If you feel that you have been unjustly treated and discriminated against it behooves you to learn what options are available to you.

This link will give you some guidance if you are considering going this route.

Good luck!

http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/index.cfm

A PiP is not an Occurence!

We recently learned that CAS has been intimidating some of the newbie checkpoint screeners into signing an occurrence form for failing a certain procedure that they were unfamiliar with.

We will not, and cannot, go into details relating to the exact procedure that is causing a PiP to be issued. But, CAS needs to do the right thing by making sure that everyone becomes familiar with this procedure and they also need to educate the "newbies" as to their rights.

Intimidation is not the proper course of action! Let's not take advantage of those who are less informed.

Another Piece Added to the TSA Empire!

One has to look closely at the press release, from the TSA, concerning the investigation and firings that took place at Honolulu International Airport (HNL) to notice a new entity. (You can read about the causes and the outcome by following this link.)

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/0610.shtm

Tucked away in this press release from the TSA is an announcement about a "newly established Office of Professional Responsibility."

We are puzzled, what exactly does the Office of Personnel Management do? Should this not be part of their responsibility? Let's just create redundancies and a bigger empire. Let's just make sure that all of those in our bloated staffing pool have something to do.

(By the way, the unions vying for the right to represent the TSA workforce claim that there was too much pressure caused by an unbearable workload. So, that condition cause a security breach that was sanctioned by the FSD at HNL.)

Six college professors question the safety of body scanners!

Scientists are stating that the information provided by the TSA claiming that there is no safety hazard is unreliable. These scientists are going on record as saying that the actual dosage is much, much higher than previously mentioned.

The test results that were released by John Hopkins were results that were not from an actual working model of the body scanners. A letter sent to White House science adviser John Holden points out flaws in the test. Their letter also states that the released report was heavy redacted and that there is no way to repeat any of these measurements.

The TSA response was that allowing outside testing would result in exposing sensitive security information. So, information about a possible health hazard gets hidden in a shroud of secrecy all in the name of security? If it's dangerous let the public know! And for that matter, let those who are manning the equipment know what the real risks are.

Read the full story at:
http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/TSA-body-scanners-safety/2011/06/10/id/399656

Let's revisit the causes of this petition!

Management should be thinking about the low morale and despair that is prevalent in the workforce. Left unaddressed this situation will only get worse.

Food for thought! Let's suppose that the efforts of Rep. John Mica are successful and let's suppose that airports are allowed to "opt" out. What happens when, and if, CAS gets additional airports?

One has to believe that CAS would send some of us to these new locations to impart the "culture" of CAS. Should that imparted culture be laced with horror stories of low morale and shady back room deals? Isn't it better to have employees who feel that they are appreciated and well treated? Just think of the possibilities!

CAS has waited, and so have we, for this chance to expand. Why waste an opportunity to work with the workforce to improve our relationship? It's never too late! Let's do it.

A journey of 1,000 miles starts with a first step!

It Didn't Take Long....

for the two unions who are competing to represent the TSA workforce to come to the rescue.

Nothing motivates a union more than the possible loss of dues paying members, or in this case, potential dues paying members. And, just how are they attempting to come to the rescue? Why, by reaching out to key members of the Democratic Party and crying foul!

The TSA has stated that this reduced budget, if it passes, will cause a reduction in numbers somewhere around 5,000. Now, one union is putting out a more dramatic number of 8,000. Let's sit back and watch these unions use scare tactics to make sure that this budget reduction doesn't pass.

The full story can be read at: http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/tsa/165639-unions-vying-to-represent-tsa-push-senators-to-oppose-amendments-passed-by-house

A Line in the Sand!

There is a petition being circulated highlighting, and bringing to a boil , the unhappiness of the rank and file with a certain manager. This unhealthy relationship has existed far too long and a breaking point has been reached. All of this could have been avoided, and should have been avoided, by just showing some compassion and understanding. No one was ever, to the best of our knowledge, asking for something that was contrary to operational needs. Of course, there are other issues that have not been mentioned, but this issue is the biggest.

What needs to be remembered, it seems, on a daily basis , is that we all have families and scheduling conflicts. Why not work with us as we attempt to balance our work schedules with our family and personal lives? Let's take the high road!

Lot "D" Anyone?

The success of the Long Term Parking Lot has caused an overflow condition which results in vouchers being given for use at the Short Term Lots at the airport. One of the options that is being discussed is moving us out of Westfield and into Lot"D." There is plenty of space available at Lot "D" and this would allow the airport to have maximum revenue from two premium locations. If we get any updates we will pass them along.

(We heard this several weeks ago from two of the bus drivers.)

This time the "Empire" will not strike back!.

There is a battle over who will be the overseer of the TSA and their ever increasing numbers. Currently, responsibility for TSA is under the control of Pete King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. If Rep. John Mica gets oversight of TSA, as he is attempting to do, there will be drastic changes. The TSA workforce levels will change and so will the number of managers versus screeners. There will also be a greater push to allow more airports to "opt" out and to use private contractors.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Rep. John Mica has reduced TSA's budget by 10 percent which amounts to 270 million dollars. It now must be approved by the Democratic Party controlled Senate before it reaches the desk of President Obama for a signature. Will SEIU open its purse strings once again?

According to the TSA, the plans of Mr. Mica would result in a reduction of 5,000 needed screeners. Maybe the TSA should reduced the number of the 3,700 personnel in Washington, D.C. who make, on average, 100,000 dollars per year. Let's have fewer chiefs and more Indians! How does the TSA justify the current ratio between managers and screeners?

Whether or not the TSA can successfully protect its turf, for the moment, depends on the outcome in the Senate. Is there a dark helmet in the house?

One Year Anniversary

A year ago today, we launched this blog. Over that time the blog has had a couple of design changes as we tried to figure out what worked best. And our focus on certain issues has changed. Overall, the most important objective of this blog has not changed. That has been to keep all of you informed as best we can about what is happening at the airport, Covenant Aviation Security, and TSA.

The public and private support we have received in that year's time is what has encouraged us to keep going. Hopefully that support will continue. As long as it does, this blog will remain. The most important thing is that all of you remain informed. We have seen that those in the know will not keep you informed.

It's imperative that we all keep our eyes and ears at attention and keep the information flowing. One of Covenant Aviation Security's ongoing tactics is attempting to keep the work force in the dark as much as possible. The only way to counteract that is by getting the necessary information and releasing it to the open.

While some of our commentary can be a bit biting, remember it is our attempt to get all of you outraged with how CAS treats and disrespects us. If we all sit idly by, CAS will continue doing what they have been doing.

So happy anniversary to us, to you, and to everyone that supports us!