July 13, 2007, - 2:10 pm
Attention, Terrorists: In the Market for a TSA Uniform?
By
While TSA officials are making sure my tube of toothpaste doesn’t exceed 3 ounces, they apparently don’t care where official TSA uniforms end up.
Check out this letter to the editor from The Honolulu Advertiser:
TSA UNIFORM FOUND FOR SALE IN THRIFT STORE
I want to express my concern over an incident that occurred on July 3.
While I was browsing at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Kailua, I noted that a TSA uniform was on the rack for sale. The uniform was in good condition, complete with TSA patches and embroidery.
When I saw the uniform, my heart sank. Is there no policy about donating and reselling TSA uniforms? With all the strict security measures in place at airports, I was very disheartened to see that I could simply buy a TSA uniform for $2.50.
The same policies that pertain to the donation and resale of police uniforms should also apply to the TSA.
As I see it, the responsibility for this type of incident lies with both the TSA and the Salvation Army. The TSA needs to make sure that former employees return their uniforms. The Salvation Army needs to screen donations more carefully.
I would like to encourage both organizations to evaluate their policies in the interest of public safety.
Mary Ellen Zigli
Honolulu
Earth to TSA chief, Kip Hawley. . . . The dude is desperate–but not serious–when it comes to fighting terrorism.
Thanks to loyal Hawaiian reader and surfer KT for the tip.
Tags: Debbie Schlussel, editor, Kip Hawley, Mary Ellen Zigli Honolulu Earth, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Thrift Store, surfer, The Honolulu Advertiser, THRIFT STORE, TSA chief, USD
Why does everyone, particularly the media, grab hold of this idea that a TSA uniform in a pawn shop is somehow the golden ticket to the TSA chocolate factory. Did the same writer notice the pieces of military uniforms for sale right next to the TSA uniform? No one seems to be worried about those. Why? Because a uniform is not an all access pass. I can throw on some camouflage, a couple of shiny pieces of rank and walk up the steps of the pentagon, but guess what? I ain’t getting into the building.
Finally, as a frequent traveler, I’ve noticed several different versions of TSA uniforms. How do we know the one the writer saw was even the current one?
The TSA wastes enough of our money already. Imagine how much more it would cost the tax payers to round up and destroy all the old uniforms.
Derek McKaskle on July 13, 2007 at 4:43 pm