While traveling non-rev across the country last week on the way to and from my vacation, I quickly noticed the new uniforms of the TSA Agents. I would definitely have to say that they appear to be a step up, at least in terms of the sharpness factor.

The old uniform seems somewhat dry and bland when compared to the striking new blue themed uniform, shown at the right. One thing I’d like to mention though is that at least 90% of the screeners I saw in the 3 separate airports that we traveled through were not wearing ties. So, perhaps wearing the tie is an option with the new uniforms.

Now, on to the subject of badges. It seems airport law enforcement officers haven’t been too enthused about TSA screeners wearing real badges now, as before the badges were just iron-on patches. In an article over at USAToday.Com, Duane McGray of the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network says “It’s another way of saying, ‘You’re not important’  to the airport police.” The TSA contends that the badge conveys a sence of authority not present with the old uniform and may deter irate passengers from verbally abusing and even sometimes attacking screeners - Things that according to the TSA, are all to often in occurrence.

In closing, my opinion is that it doens’t matter what the TSA uniform looks like as long as it conveys professionalism. What’s more important is that people don’t stop feeling as though they live in a free society and that they have not lost their dignity - I’m talking about the passengers here. Next to the IRS, the TSA has the worst public perception in the country, and I’m convinced it’s because of the those reasons. So perhaps if a main focus of the energy and resources of the folks in power to make changes at the TSA were to be redirected towards implementing improvements in these areas, as opposed to making their uniforms more spiffy, we’d actually see a real difference… Where it really counted.

Capt’n Chris

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