Sunday, March 8, 2009

TSA Core Values in Action


This is just too precious not to pass on.

Earlier today, I was on Washington DC's subway system, the Metro. Sitting opposite me was a woman who was wearing a Transportation Security Administration uniform. The TSA shoulder emblem, in addition to the letters TSA, also has the words integrity, innovation and team spirit, on it. Which I could clearly see from across the aisle.

A man sits in the row of seats behind me, he sees the emblem and asks, "What does integrity, innovation and team mean?" He seems genuinely curious.She looks at him like he's from another planet.

He points to her shoulder and says, "Your badge."

She says, "That says TSA."

He goes, "No, the words integrity, innovation and team spirit."

She finally looks at the emblem sees the words, and says to him, "I'm not working now, I don't have to tell you anything."

He replies, "Well, you figure you would know what it means. It's on your uniform."

She replies, "I don't have to tell you what I know." But then does tell him, "I have two Masters degrees."

The train stops at her stop, as she passes by him while exiting, she looks at him and says, "Dumb ass."

BTW, LOL, this is what the TSA's web site says the words integrity, innovation and team spirit mean to the people of TSA:

Core Values

To enhance mission performance and achieve our shared goals, we are committed to promoting a culture founded on these values:

Integrity:

We are a people of integrity who respect and care for others.

We are a people who conduct ourselves in an honest, trustworthy and ethical manner at all times.

We are a people who gain strength from the diversity in our cultures.

Innovation:

We are a people who embrace and stand ready for change.

We are a people who are courageous and willing to take on new challenges.

We are a people with an enterprising spirit, striving for innovations who accept the risk-taking that comes with it.

Team Spirit:

We are a people who are open, respectful and dedicated to making others better.

We are a people who have a passion for challenge, success and being on a winning team.

3 comments:

  1. But we can't evaluate the story unless you tell us whether the guy was, in fact, a dumb ass.

    And were you really the dumb ass, and just changed the story?

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  2. LOL.

    I wouldn't have lost a debate to a TSA agent, and nobody would walk up to me and call me a dumb ass.

    The woman was a heavy set black woman. The man had a passing resemblance to Obama with a Mr. Rogers type demeanor. I would say, more than anything, it was almost a child like curiosity on his part.

    She was the ass. I'd hate to pass through screening and have to deal with her.

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  3. The TSA logo caught my attention so, to my disappointment, I read the post. I am a current TSA employee, and as it is definitely not a glamorous job, or one that gets much respect, believe it or not there are some of us that actually do try to live up to our Team spirit, Innovation, Integrity, and core values goals. i am sorry that this TSA person, and so many others, continue to give us a bad name. I hope that you have only pleasant experiences with the TSA!!!!

    Barbara

    ReplyDelete