Last weekend at LAX I had my first interaction with a TSA agent since the federal government shutdown began.
She was friendly and smiled at me. I thanked her for showing up to work during the shut down, noting that it was unfortunate she was being used as a political pawn.
Well thank you very much. I do appreciate it and also hope they resolve this issue soon.
I agreed with her. After handing me back my ID, she added:
Do you want to adopt me?
Lest you think this was flirting or serious, she broke out laughing before I did. It was a nice encounter.
Ben (Lucky) from One Mile at a Time shared of a different incident. He was at the airport and the person in front of him in line thanked the TSA agent for working during the shut down. The TSA agent responded, “I hate when people say that.”
Talk about rude.
Based upon that anecdote, Lucky reasoned:
TSA agents mostly aren’t working because they want to be, but rather because they have to be, and because they can still be disciplined if they don’t show up or take too many sick days.
“Thanks” doesn’t pay for gas, credit card bills, rent, or child care.
But thanks affirms human dignity. It also expresses thanksgiving. And to be sure, I am thankful that upwards of 90% of TSA agents continue to show up to work. I’m thankful that most airports are still running smoothly during the shutdown and that the agents are still doing their job to the best of their abilities.
On the one hand, the agents will likely receive backpay once the shutdown is over. Thus, their paychecks are merely being delayed. But on the other hand, many entry-level TSA screeners are working paycheck to paycheck. Starting pay at the TSA is only $25,518/year. No, saying “thank you” does not pay bills. But it shows solidarity. That counts for something.
CONCLUSION
My point is simple. Just because some agents may be (understandably) in a bad mood should not stop you from expressing your thanks to them. I assume most of you, like me, are genuinely grateful that these agents are on the job. Not so much because I view them as essential or useful, but because under statute flights could not operate without them.
One of the greatest joys of human life is giving to others, including giving gratitude. Don’t let a few rude agents stop you from expressing thanks to TSA agents during the shutdown. And if you know any TSA agents in specific need, help them out. At least in California, the TSA agents now have relief.
Thank you Matt! After 30 days, I can imagine the political discourse while they are doing their job can get a little wearing because they (we) are living in this situation. For some, those hours at work may be the opportunity to forget (or at least distract themselves) about what is going on at home or how they are going to pay their bills until they eventually get paid. Saying ‘thank you’ seems the least we can all continue to say to people who perform any service.
Dear TSA
Thank you for confiscating all that stuff from me that actually **is** permitted to fly. Thanks for groping my 86 year old grandmother. Thanks for grabbing and twisting my junk when I declined the X-ray machines that have now been banned.
I’m sorry you are a pawn in a political game but border security is very important, arguably much more important than airport security theatre that has never actually caught a terrorist. Until you grab my junk again…
You’re an idiot. I hope you die.
Argumentum ad hominem…You lose.
Why not a balance between the two? Instead of going out of your way to be overly thankful to the TSA agents (or other government workers), how about just being friendly, period? I can see how it can be annoying to Lucky’s TSA agent, but I can also see how the person you encountered might find it encouraging. Plus, each person who takes an extra 5-10 seconds to have a meaningful exchange is slowing down an already slower than normal line (presumably). Add that over 100s or 1000s of people, and you’re making the problem worse.
It’s kind of like a customer service situation (retail, dining, hospitality, AIR TRAVEL, etc.), where too often, customers/guests/passengers don’t bother to acknowledge the employee. A simple “hello” or “thank you” or “good day” or a smile goes a long way when many people don’t bother saying a word. There’s no need to engage any further, as long as you’re courteous to EVERYONE you encounter.
Or, if you feel compelled to thank them for working, maybe Lucky’s approach is best – gauge the person’s mood and/or pay attention to the situation. That’s probably another thing people don’t do enough…
JMHO.
@sorry no sorry. Wow. Bitter much? Love to see you go do it and not get paid. TSA is such an easy target millions of people go through it every day with no issues no complaints. I have run into an occasional unfriendly TSA agent. But guess what I’ve run into unfriendly police unfriendly McDonald’s workers unfriendly waiters unfriendly bankers unfriendly lawyers and the list goes on. Get over yourself.
Well done Matt
They are working through the shutdown because they believe in the the wall. They of all people know the importance of security. They do not need to be thanked.
Who are you, my mother? Are you going to tell me to finish my vegetables too? This is another in a long line of smug, self righteous posts.
Sorry not sorry said it perfectly. I have zero sympathy for these sickos who spend their days violating the fourth amendment rights of their fellow Americans. #EndTheTSA
As both a currently serving member of the armed forces and a veteran who’s been thanked for [my] service frequently, here’s two things to be cognizant of:
1. We acknowledge that others are appreciative of the work we do. I chose to be in the military and, by extension, chose to serve in Iraq and elsewhere. Still, it’s always generally nice to know that others appreciate that there are some who are sacrificing a little, and some who sacrifice it all – and this is true across the spectrum of civil servants who go in harm’s way – even if we’ve done so by choice. It’s common courtesy and general social niceties to accept that gratitude gracefully and move on. So yes, that TSA agent was kind of a dick.
2. Often times, especially for servicemembers, a “Thank you for your service” is awkward as there’s seemingly no correct response. “You’re welcome” seems condescending. “Thanks!” feels contrived or otherwise lacking in substance. So what do we say? Ultimately you just loathe receiving said appreciation because it consistently creates awkwardness or social anxiety. I’ve started replying with, “Thank YOU for your appreciation. It takes a village,” or some approximation thereof. So I understand the TSA agent’s frustration, though that frustration needn’t a voice outside close friends/family.
If you feel the need to “thank” someone in this situation, whether TSA, FBI, military, or local LEOs or firefighters, a simple, “I appreciate what you do. Keep up the good work,” makes for a much smoother compliment.
I”m with “Sorry not sorry”. The TSA is yet another example of government run amok. Those in charge of the TSA think they can get away with practically anything under the guise of “air travel security”.
Not paying them now doesn’t go far enough. Abolish the TSA and make every person who currently does or has ever worked for TSA repay the taxpayers all of the wages and benefits.
I have no sympathy for the TSA due to all the people they hurt and harass. I will not thank them for continuing to work when I want them to just go away. With their failure rates as high as 95% and the fact they missed every terrorist that came their way including one that used Precheck, it’s all just one big show that has also proven itself to be quite ableist many times over. Pre-9/11 security was simpler, faster and more effective than the TSA could ever hope to be and it never violated our 4th Amendment rights. Until they go and find another job, they deserve zero pay.
Until every government employee receives a pay check no one should receive a paycheck. That includes the president, vp, supreme court, house and Senate, irs, treasury department. It’s BS that the Coast Guard is not being paid because they are under homeland security like the TSA. Yet all other military branches are receiving paychecks from the DOD. We have coast guardsmen that are serving in the middle East (Bahrain) supporting the 7th fleet. The people they are working with are getting paid why not the Coast Guard.
I support our military branches 100 percent but if one branch is not getting paid no one should get a check.
You Americans sure are a nice bunch
No. The TSA is a violation of our rights.