I got this story from a friend…
Bryan Townsend, a frequent flyer if there ever was one, says, when it came to getting through security, Birmingham, AL, was a welcome relief, if only because of two older women who checked IDs and tickets. They were, Bryan says, bright, cheerful, efficient, and friendly. He enjoyed and them and actually looked forward to seeing them. That’s rare, these days.
Now, TSA is handling that job, the two ladies are gone, the security checkpoint line is longer, and he wonders. For one thing, he wonders what happened to the two ladies. Bryan is a nice guy, and wonders if they were able to get new jobs at their ages in this market. He says, "I have always believed that people who do a job unusually well will move up in the world, but it surely didn’t work that way in this case."
I called the Birmingham Airport and talked with a lady who was very polite and friendly. She explained that—as we all know—TSA is taking over checking IDs and tickets, and suggested that I call Mr. John Allen, spokesperson of TSA for the area. I did.
Mr. Allen—another friendly, helpful person, BTW—confirmed that TSA has "assumed responsibility" for checking "travel documents." Then, as the southern expression puts it, he "’splained" it to me.
TSA has started using black lights and loupes (eyepieces such as jewelers use) to check travel documents. That requires training in techniques and procedures and it is considered that TSA needs to be in charge. (I suggested that they might also do some training in how to treat customers, and he seemed to agree.) To paraphrase the Bible, almost he did persuadeth me. Time marches on, and time will tell.
One good thing, he gave me a website—TSA.gov—that provides links including one for complaints.
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