Being this is the very First post in the forum I figured I would raise a couple of fair but troubling questions. I have been riding DART and TRE for a couple of years now, and some time back I was questioned by one of the fare inspectors (as she told me she was a sergeant ) why I was buying a ticket to ride the trains. When I asked what she meant she asked if I was a Firefighter. I at that point said that I was. She then said that as a professional courtesy Police and Fire fighters didn't need a ticket as long as they carry their badge and Department ID. Before doing so I still questioned several other fare inspectors and DART Police, all of whom said that was true. For over a year and a half I have gone by that policy as was stated to me with no issues at all, until today when a fare inspector whom I have seen many times and never had a issue with suddenly stated that the courtesy is only extended to police, on or off duty from anywhere as long as they have their ID and Badge, but not to Firefighters who work locally. She was very rude in her explanation and told me she will make an example of me if I tried to explain why I was using My badge, then when her Partner ( a new inspector) she told her to watch for people like me because the Courtesy was only to extend to Police. I feel that people like her are kind of like the TSA personnel given a little power they will make sure that they are recognized as more than what they are. I have no problem paying the fare, but thought the public should be aware that DART has a standard of being very unprofessional with what they call Professional Courtesy. By the way that same inspector DID extend the courtesy for a TSA agent ( they are security guards working for a private company not Police) without any threats.