8 TSA Agents at a Single Airport Fired for Sleeping on the Job

Just your average Wednesday:

The employees were captured on videotape failing to follow standard operating procedures for screen checked bags, the agency said, adding that some of the screeners were videotaped sleeping in the bag room. Unlike security checkpoints where passengers are screened, bag rooms are out of public view.

The investigation is continuing, and action may be taken against additional employees, the TSA said.

They were caught on videotape, but their union plans to appeal the dismissals and seek their reinstatement.

This is the same airport where a TSA agent was placed on paid leave for stealing a CNN camera and selling it on eBay.

Still, we should remember this represents a few bad apples who in no way undermine the hard work that thousands of men and women at the TSA do to keep us safe, day in and day out.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. Keep us safe? WTF you talking about Gary. How about treating everyone like a criminal and trying to give us all cancer while stopping zero criminal activity.

  2. It was a very good week for the TSA, who are always Vigilant and sensible in their protection of American citizens and their personal belongings… 😉

  3. Yeah, I hope that last line was an inside joke or something.

    We all have jobs. We can tell the difference between someone who is good at their job, and isn’t. These people suck.

  4. Ah yes…once again the world laughs at America! Why do we put up with this? It is becoming exponentially worse…

  5. The shocking thing to me about the article (besides the fact that the union is going to “make sure they all speak with an attorney” in their attempt to get reinstated) is that there are 1400 TSA agents working at EWR!?! I would’ve guessed a couple hundred, but 1400? Is our security theater apparatus that large? Wow.

  6. This is the kind of agency that gives all federal employees a bad name….and this also illustrates why unions are increasingly being marginalized…how can you defend these low lives and ask for reinstatement while all private sector employees would have been fired with no recourse and immediate termination of pay?

  7. This kind of BS is exactly why Government employees should NOT be allowed to unionize. And just for clarity, it’s not about safety and security, it a jobs program plain and simple.

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