To the editor: Latest protection of the federal funding deadlock highlights a troubling actuality: Transportation Safety Administration officers are being required to work with out pay (“ICE officers soon will help with airport security unless Democrats end shutdown, Trump says,” March 21).
This isn’t a partisan concern however one in all security and fundamental equity. I journey steadily, as does my household, and like many Californians we depend on TSA officers to assist guarantee protected and environment friendly air journey. Requiring them to work with out pay raises respectable issues about morale, staffing and the effectiveness of airport safety.
It’s affordable to ask: Would any of us be anticipated to go to work with out pay, significantly in a job tied on to public security?
Congress ought to resolve this example promptly and make sure that important employees usually are not positioned on this place once more.
Denice Gilling, Moorpark
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To the editor: With all the present concern over the impact of the funds deadlock on airport safety and delays, isn’t it time to ask: Do we actually even want the TSA’s intrusive identification and search procedures at U.S. airports? Who amongst us has not stood within the safety line on the airport and thought it was a colossal waste of time?
There have been loads of tales of lapses permitting forbidden objects to cross by way of regardless. And in any case, it appears uncertain that even the improved procedures now in impact would have stopped the 9/11 hijackers, who used easy field cutters and small knives.
Wouldn’t randomized checks by fewer TSA brokers suffice to discourage hijackers simply as nicely? Fairly than wringing our collective arms over the present slowdowns, maybe it’s time to rethink the entire course of.
Chris Kendrick, Studio Metropolis
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To the editor: We’re at the moment experiencing yet one more partial authorities shutdown. As typical, the TSA employees usually are not getting paid however are anticipated to point out up for work anyway.
The present deadlock is because of the conduct of workers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who’re nonetheless being paid. Regardless of their horrific actions on the streets of Minneapolis, the Republicans within the Senate don’t want to require any restrictions on their conduct (i.e., banning masks, requiring ID if requested, elimination of racial profiling, an inexpensive customary to be used of drive, physique cameras and a requirement of judicial warrant for getting into personal property).
The Democrats have proposed a particular carve-out for the TSA. The federal government has established a particular fund to pay ICE, however not TSA. Our administration believes that utilizing masked brokers to arrest undocumented and even some correctly documented immigrants is extra vital than holding our air transportation system working. Fascinating alternative of priorities.
Erica Hahn, Monrovia
