TSA orders ID-check officers to stand, removing their chairs; union objects

Right · 2The Transportation Security Administration has directed officers who check passengers' identification at security checkpoints to remain standing, which means their chairs are being removed. 1 2 Right · 1The TSA said the change "reinforces both our security posture and our commitment to hospitality by having these officers on their feet and alert," and added that all officers must meet fitness-for-duty requirements. 1 Right · 1Reason reports that the wording comes from a September 25 memo by Steve Lorincz, TSA's executive assistant administrator for security operations, parts of which the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) shared. 2

Right · 1The rule applies only to officers assigned to check IDs before screening. Officers who operate X-ray scanners may still sit, and officers typically rotate through several assignments during an eight-hour shift, a TSA spokesperson told The New York Times. 1 Right · 1Fox News reports that the change came nearly two months after TSA Administrator David Cummins took over and launched an initiative to improve the passenger experience. It says the rule was implemented at most TSA-staffed airports, but not at the roughly 20 airports, including San Francisco and Kansas City, that use private screeners under the Screening Partnership Program. 1 Right · 1AFGE TSA Council 100 says it was not consulted, argues the chairs give basic ergonomic support to officers on hard floors, and plans to challenge the change. UNLV aviation professor Daniel Bubb said hard floors can cause foot and back problems and suggested anti-fatigue mats. 1

Right · 1AFGE president Everett Kelley called the justification "a punch line" and said hospitality is not gained by making workers stand until their feet go numb. The union says no security study shows standing officers are more effective, and it has launched a "Take a Stand" campaign asking the public to sign a letter demanding the chairs' return. 2 Right · 1Reason places the dispute within a wider labour conflict. A federal judge blocked the administration's attempt to end TSA workers' collective bargaining rights in January, and Government Executive reports the administration appealed that ruling the same day the chair order was issued. 2 Right · 1Travel writer Gary Leff told Fox News Digital he does not expect much effect on passengers, saying he doesn't care whether the person checking his ID is seated. 1