Thousands Standing Around (Transportation Security Administration or TSA nickname)
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began in 2001 under the U.S. Department of Transportation; in 2003, TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The TSA’s airport security procedures made going through airports much slower.
The nickname “Thousands Standing Around” for “TSA” has been used since at least November 15, 2002.
Other TSA nicknames include “Too Stupid for Arby’s” (since at least April 20, 2005), “Totally Stupid Agency/Assholes” (since at least February 3, 2006), “Tough Shit, America” (since at least March 20, 2006), “Tray Stackers Association” (since April 4, 2006), “Total Sexual Assault” (since at least November 14, 2010) and “Thugs and Sexual Abusers/Assailants/Assaulters” (since at least November 23, 2010).
Wikipedia: Transportation Security Administration
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for security in all modes of transportation in the U.S.
The TSA was created as part of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed by the U.S. Congress, and signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 19, 2001. Originally organized in the U.S. Department of Transportation, the TSA was moved to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 25, 2003.
Urban Dictionary
1. TSA
Thousands Standing Around. Airport security. All they do is stand around, thus the name.
Dude! The TSA suck! All they do is stand there.
by Alumni Dec 18, 2005
2. TSA
Official: “Transportation Security Agency”
Reality: “Thousands Standing Around” or “Take your Shoes off Asshole”.
A bunch of self-righteous, uneducated idiots who got promoted and pay raises for failing America on 9/11.
They’ve basically gone from working the frier to being the McDonalds managers.
They allow anyone wearing a turban to pass through for fear of offending them while administering anal probes to flight crew who are (now, pay attention) ALREADY IN THE COCKPIT.
TSA is the best thing to ever happen to Al Queda.
by Baaweet Oct 17, 2003
Google Groups: rec.travel.air
Newsgroups: rec.travel.air
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (mga707)
Date: 15 Nov 2002 19:26:07 -0800
Local: Fri, Nov 15 2002 9:26 pm
Subject: Re: Nope, TSA not sleeping, say airport exec - Miami Airport evacuated…
The man from “Thousands Standing Around” was most definitely NOT sleeping, I assure you! He was merely “resting his eyes”...
New York (NY) Times
BUSINESS TRAVEL: ON THE ROAD; The Lull Before the Storm For the Nation’s Airports
By Joe Sharkey
Published: November 19, 2002
(...)
Right now, during a traditionally slow period for travel, airports by and large are running fairly smoothly, the occasional security alarm aside. I’ve been traveling a lot over the last month, and the two major impressions I have about airport security are shorter lines with fewer problems and large numbers of white-shirted T.S.A. agents clustered around checkpoints with little to do. (This impression, incidentally, gives legs to the wisecrack currently being passed among business travelers that the acronym T.S.A. in fact stands for “Thousands Standing Around.”)
The Christian Science Monitor
Behind X-ray machines, a more expert crew
All major US airports met a Nov. 19 deadline to implement federal security. Will it make a difference?
By Abraham McLaughlin, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor / November 20, 2002
(...)
Critics are already focusing on the seeming hordes of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners at most checkpoints. They quip TSA might as well mean “Thousands Standing Around.”
FOXNews.com
Airport Screener Cuts May Reduce ‘Standing Around’
Monday, May 12, 2003
By Liza Porteus
NEW YORK — Airport visitors may soon notice that fewer security workers are milling about, but transportation officials say that may not be a bad thing.
The Transportation Security Administration (search) recently announced it will cut 3,000 airport screening jobs by the end of September, on top of the 3,000 announced in March. The first round of cuts will be made by May 31. TSA expects to save about $280 million.
Travelers and security experts say cutting back on bodies doesn’t mean passengers should feel less secure, particularly since TSA is often jokingly referred to as “Thousands Standing Around.”
New York (NY) Times
The Long Wait for the Chance to Empty Pockets and Shed Shoes
By JEFF BAILEY and JEREMY W. PETERS; Jeff Bailey reported from Chicago for this article and Jeremy W. Peters from Romulus, Mich.
Published: November 24, 2005
With a record 21.7 million people expected to fill airports over the 11-day Thanksgiving travel period, this would seem to be the time for the much-maligned Transportation Security Administration and its 45,000 airport security screeners to shine.
(...)
The Transportation Security Administration, or T.S.A.—which many of the more cynical travelers say stands for Thousands Standing Around—said it was working hard to be more efficient.