TSA Bilked
Ever since you started X-raying our shoes,
I've been forced to carry all my plastic explosives
in my pants, which I find most inconvenient
--Anon poster on the T.S.A. blog
______________
I've been forced to carry all my plastic explosives
in my pants, which I find most inconvenient
--Anon poster on the T.S.A. blog
______________
A Transportation Security Administration contractor at the center of a homeland security contracting debacle several years ago has agreed to pay "$5.6 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims in connection with a contract" to help the agency hire airport security screeners, the Justice Department said recently. (NCS Pearson Agrees to Fine Over Airport Screeners.)
Shocking, no?
The $5.6 payout by NCS Pearson to "resolve allegations that it submitted false claims" is tantamount to a guilty plea, without doing the time. That is how it is in America: justice will be extracted, whether in time or money. The company is charged with bilking millions from the TSA by over-charging for subcontracted airport passenger screeners.
A federal audit questions $303 million of the $741 million contract, which includes allegations of more than double billing for temporary workers ($48/hour vs. the actual $20/hour) and a $5.4 million, 9-month contract for a CEO of a non-incorporated "event logistics" firm which went out of business after the contract expired.
New reports show the TSA's Behavior Detection program instituted in 2006 has been 99% ineffective. However, in the alternate universe inhabited by TSA spokesmen, TSA's Ellen Howe puts a more positive spin on the numbers saying the program has been "incredibly effective" at catching criminals. Perspective is all; indeed, the program has an almost 1% success rate. Ahem.
We hope your Thanksgiving travel plans go off without a hitch, knowing the Homeland Security is so tending to your every need. But if problems do arise on the tight ship that is the American Airlines industry, please feel free to share it here.
Shocking, no?
The $5.6 payout by NCS Pearson to "resolve allegations that it submitted false claims" is tantamount to a guilty plea, without doing the time. That is how it is in America: justice will be extracted, whether in time or money. The company is charged with bilking millions from the TSA by over-charging for subcontracted airport passenger screeners.
A federal audit questions $303 million of the $741 million contract, which includes allegations of more than double billing for temporary workers ($48/hour vs. the actual $20/hour) and a $5.4 million, 9-month contract for a CEO of a non-incorporated "event logistics" firm which went out of business after the contract expired.
New reports show the TSA's Behavior Detection program instituted in 2006 has been 99% ineffective. However, in the alternate universe inhabited by TSA spokesmen, TSA's Ellen Howe puts a more positive spin on the numbers saying the program has been "incredibly effective" at catching criminals. Perspective is all; indeed, the program has an almost 1% success rate. Ahem.
We hope your Thanksgiving travel plans go off without a hitch, knowing the Homeland Security is so tending to your every need. But if problems do arise on the tight ship that is the American Airlines industry, please feel free to share it here.
Labels: airport screeners subcontractting fraud, homeland security fraud, PWOT
posted by Lisa at 6:09 PM
4 Comments:
Happy Thanksgiving to RAW and Lisa.
And MB and the other engaging responders to this terrific blog. Always a good read with interesting and thought provoking commentary.
staying home. the two delightful daughters of my sergeant major friend and his wife are my honored guests today. we will be thinking of him and his brave lads.
family prayer
my very best wishes to you all this day.
Long-time RN,
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thank you for your faithful readership.
MB,
Our best wishes are sent your way, on this day as always. It is good of you to have your Sgt. Major friend's family over. I fancy you are a warm presence and a consummate host, so I know the day will be a memorable one for all.
Thank you for including the heartfelt prayer. (BTB: I shall be anticipating your Afghan series at the GNB.)
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