Gripes & Grins, Part 3
Have more TSA experiences that you want to share? This is the blog post to share your TSA experiences -- both the good or the bad. (Click here to see Part 2 and Part 1).
Labels: Gripes and Grins
posted by Neil at
2:54 PM
198 Comments:
I was flying home from Las Vegas and I felt I had no sooner blinked than I was through the checkpoint. The crew out there do an outstanding job.
March 31, 2008 3:10 PM
Maybe this is more of a DHS issue, but it involves air transportation and security, so it seems relevant in my mind.
In February 2007, my credit card was fraudulently used to purchase an airline ticket from Lagos to Boston on United Airlines.
When reporting the fraud to my credit card company, I was able to get the details of the flight and the passenger name that was used when the ticket was purchased. By the time I learned of the fraud, the flight was already in the air.
I called the DHS duty number that I found on the DHS website to report the details of what I learned: passenger name, flight details, etc.
I explained the situation to the representative and how I had gotten the information. The representative wanted to know what the person looked like and where the police could find this person. I said I didn't know the person and only had what I had gotten from the credit card issuer. He said there was nothing he could do if I didn't know where the person was and that I should take up the matter with my credit card company.
I had assumed that the TSA/DHS would be interested in knowing of someone coming from Nigeria to the United States on a fraudulently purchased ticket. Since the flight was still in the air when I called, I thought there would be time for authorities to do something about it.
March 31, 2008 5:11 PM
"I had assumed that the TSA/DHS would be interested in knowing of someone coming from Nigeria to the United States on a fraudulently purchased ticket. Since the flight was still in the air when I called, I thought there would be time for authorities to do something about it.
March 31, 2008 5:11 PM"
Next time print out the information and tape it to:
1) A bottle of water or a 4 oz or larger container of liqiud, gel or paste.
2) take it to a check point.
Pray that they read it, and take it seriously.
March 31, 2008 5:44 PM
In December 2007, I noticed signs at Kansas City International Airport that state, inaccurately, that presentation of photo identification is required of people who wish to pass the airport security checkpoint. I have posted pictures of these signs here, here, and here.
On February 17, 2008, I submitted a complaint to TSA by submitting a form on their Web site. I wrote:
"While traveling to and from the Kansas City International airport during the past two years, I have repeatedly seen posters bearing the TSA name and seemingly its seal that wrongly state that passengers must present photo identification prior to crossing the security checkpoint. It appears that security is handled by a private contractor at this airport. Is the TSA aware that this false information is being presented to travelers in its name? What can I do to have these corrected?"
I received an acknowledgement of my submission via e-mail shortly thereafter.
On February 28, 2008, I received a second e-mail in reference to the complaint. This one stated:
"Please accept our appreciation for you taking the time to share this information with us. Your email has been forwarded to the appropriate office for action as required. Your help and support are important contributions to ensuring the safety and security of the Nation's aviation security."
On March 28, 2008, I received a second response from TSA. This time it was a scanned paper document converted to PDF then e-mailed to me. In that response, Jeanne Oliver, Associate Director, TSA Office of the Executive Secretariat, wrote (emphasis added):
"Thank you for your e-mail of February 21,2008, regarding your observations of security screening posters at Kansas City International Airport (MCI). Specifically, you expressed concern that the private contractor performing security screening at MCI uses Transportation Security Administration (TSA) posters that indicate travelers are required to present photo identification (ID) at the security screening checkpoint.
"At the direction of Congress, TSA established a program at some airports using private contractors instead of Federal security officers. MCI is one of these airports. Although MCI is not staffed by a Federal workforce, it is still regulated by TSA.
"TSA and its contractors have a series of measures in place which work together to reduce the risk of a terrorist being able to carry out a terrorist act. One of these measures is to limit access to the secured area of the airport to travelers who have the proper travel documentation, such as a boarding pass. In addition, TSA requires travelers to produce a valid form of government-issued photo ID to verify that the name on the travel document matches the ID.
"If a traveler is unwilling or unable to produce a valid form of ID, the traveler is required to undergo additional screening at the checkpoint to gain access to the secured area of the airport. Access to the secured area of the airport will be denied to any traveler who refuses to undergo the additional screening."
Ms. Oliver did not address the problem of display of inaccurate signs at MCI. Though she first wrote that TSA requires travelers to present I.D., her proceeding sentence clarifies that such action is optional, and simply allows travelers to pass an airport security checkpoint with a less-rigorous screening procedure than would be performed if they presented I.D.
I suspect that these signs are in violation of OMB's Agency Information Quality Guidelines.
March 31, 2008 6:02 PM
OK,
I have complained about a lot of TSA stuff, but the new post at the homepage of this blog got me seriously ruffled. It says you will be installing full body scanners in airport terminals this year. I am stating right now that I WILL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO A FULL BODY SCAN. It is outrageous to put innocent people through such indecency.
March 31, 2008 6:34 PM
or attach a note to yournipple rings and then they would for sure have to notice it
March 31, 2008 6:50 PM
This is clearly not a TSA or DHS issue. Take it up with your CC company.
March 31, 2008 7:11 PM
Over the last day or so I’ve read a couple of interesting comments on FlyerTalk having to do with REAL ID. Now, I know that it is not the subject of this thread, but I’m gonna post it here anyway.
For those of you who don’t know, REAL ID, as promulgated Michael Chertoff, Secretary of DHS, is another name for a national identity card in the form of your state’s driver’s license. In order to obtain a REAL ID DL, you will need to produce either your birth certificate or a passport, plus you social security card, plus several other proofs of name/residence. (God help you if the name on your birth certificate/passport is different from the name on your social security card – you will NOT get a DL until that issue is rectified. This means that there are many people who will not be able to renew their DL’s because they don’t have any means of proving who they are.)
According to Chertoff, at some point in the future, if you don’t show a REAL ID DL, you won’t be able to get on an airplane or into any federal building for that matter.
There are several states that are bucking the REAL ID fiasco – and three cheers to them.
Now here is what I find truly amazing about REAL ID: in those states who do cave into DHS and issue REAL ID, individuals over the age of 50 will not be required to provide a REAL ID DL to get on a plane or into a federal building. Why? Because “The over-50 exemption was created to give states more time to get everyone new licenses, and officials say the risk of someone in that age group being a terrorist, illegal immigrant or con artist is much less.”
Here’s what I find strange: TSA tells us that they have to screen even the aged infirm because they could be terrorists, but their parent agency DHS tells us that people over 50 are not likely to be terrorists.
Totally mind boggling.
We know the FBI does not talk to the CIA and the IRS won’t give the FBI the tax payer ID numbers of aliens who wish to file taxes to make the road to citizenship easier, but here we have the parent agency (DHS) telling us one thing about people over 50 and the TSA telling us something different.
Inconsistencies abound.
March 31, 2008 8:17 PM
I'd love the TSA to comment on this blog post in which gate agents toss out a tube of toothpaste, fuss over computer speakers, but allow a passenger to board with a folding knife suitable for gutting deer carcasses. Twice.
The fact that it happened once could be a sign of bad training or a fluke accident. But it happened again, in the exact same fashion, in a different airport.
That story is not unique. It appears TSA agents are so focused on odd electronics (like the MacBook Air or JBL On Tour speakers) that they're missing far more obvious threats, like razor-sharp folding knives.
March 31, 2008 8:38 PM
Wisconsin: gee, you missed the point entirely.
Jellyman found out that someone from Nigeria used his credit card, without his consent, to fly to the U.S.. Isn't that terribly suspicious behavior? Doesn't that make the person who bought the ticket a security risk? Shouldn't DHS be aware of someone entering the U.S. under false pretenses?
Jellyman tried to be a good citizen and informed DHS of a person who presents security risk. DHS told him to go away.
April 1, 2008 8:32 AM
Here's an idea to help the traveling public communicate with TSA: Put a telephone number for the local TSA organization in the Government section of the telephone book. You might think this has already been done, but when I checked the phone books for Denver and Colorado Springs, there was no listing for TSA. I can imagine the frustration of a traveler who wants to contact TSA, and who is unable to find a phone number to call.
April 1, 2008 8:57 AM
Here is an interesting tidbit from Aero-News:
"They chose Burger King for their "solid customer service programs" and had great hopes for the personnel who were to be taught by a leading customer-service-savvy company that 'thrived in close contact with the public.'
"You really understand how to work with the public when they've got an empty, growling stomach... lunchtime is crunchtime at Burger King, and decades of dealing with the public has made us experts in meeting them with smiles, professionalism and solid service," noted BK Spokesperson, Brian Smiley.
The TSA program ran into trouble early on with an initial allotment of 100 trainees who often showed up late, failed to follow instructions, displayed poor grooming practices, unsatisfactory command of the English language, or just plain got lost on the way to the BK training center... and on more than one occasion (two are STILL listed as MIA and have never quite found their way to BKHQ).
"We'd hoped the early results were a fluke but over the course of several months, we came to find that this was, regrettable, the cream of the crop.
"From there it just simply went downhill."
April 1, 2008 1:07 PM
Wisconsin: gee, you missed the point entirely.
Jellyman found out that someone from Nigeria used his credit card, without his consent, to fly to the U.S.. Isn't that terribly suspicious behavior? Doesn't that make the person who bought the ticket a security risk? Shouldn't DHS be aware of someone entering the U.S. under false pretenses?
Jellyman tried to be a good citizen and informed DHS of a person who presents security risk. DHS told him to go away.
I didn't miss the point. And, please note that sarcasm doesn't solve anything. Do you know what the mission and purpose of TSA is? Or, are you meaning to imply that all thieves are terrorists and mean to blow up planes? Unless your thief/ terrorist notion is credible, whay would TSA pay any mind to it?
April 1, 2008 6:02 PM
Patriot Act, REAL ID ACT, & The RFID tracking passport was bad enough, but full body xray scanning is crossing the line. This is like strip checking customers without their knowing. And to make it worse, the tsa adds all these pretty lights and colors, and murals to control the publics emotions, and to make them think it is some sort of fun cool game or something; when in fact the public is very misinformed on the reality of the Department of "Homeland Security's" real intentions. This x ray machine is to be intended for criminals, not the innocent people of this nation. It is pretty much "strip checking" innocent citizens. Whatever happend to INNOCENT TILL PROVEN GUILTY? This human X-ray scanning machine is infringing on our civil liberties and rights, and is against the law according to the constitution. Since when has the war on terror turned onto war against innocent American citizens? By taking away the People's rights, you are allowing the "terrorists" to win by letting us destroy ourselfs and sense of FREEDOM! And by allowing such to happen is to eliminate the purpose of which our Nation was based off of and that our founding fathers fought and DIED FOR! FREEDOM!! Benjamin Franklin once said "Those who are willing to give up freedom and civil liberties for security deserve neither".
- Cannon N. Ciota
April 1, 2008 6:21 PM
Anonymous said...
Here is an interesting tidbit from Aero-News:
"They chose Burger King for their "solid customer service programs" and had great hopes for the personnel who were to be taught by a leading customer-service-savvy company that 'thrived in close contact with the public.'
The article is satire. You know, April Fool's Day...
April 1, 2008 6:32 PM
Wisconsin: you missed the point again.
Jellyman didn't call the TSA. He called DHS, which is the parent organization of TSA. It clearly is a DHS issue.
And with DHS/TSA being so concerned about people presenting proper identity documents at checkpoints (like the RealID program), it seems perfectly reasonable that DHS ought to be concerned about someone flying into the US using a false name.
April 1, 2008 7:35 PM
Jellyman,
Sure this could be a situation of concern, but it falls to the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Customs and Border Patrol CBP and ICE handle all inbound flights from outside the country. TSA only deals with commercial aviation originating at a US airport.
April 1, 2008 8:10 PM
Anonymous said...
OK,
I have complained about a lot of TSA stuff, but the new post at the homepage of this blog got me seriously ruffled. It says you will be installing full body scanners in airport terminals this year. I am stating right now that I WILL NOT BE SUBJECTED TO A FULL BODY SCAN. It is outrageous to put innocent people through such indecency.
Then you don't fly. Simple as that.
How is a professional screening staff who doesn't know you from Adam (or Eve, as the case may be) supposed to just magically KNOW you're innocent just because you say so? Pardon the naivite' but if you could be taken at your word, then there would be no need of security ANYWHERE in the world and terrorism as we know it would cease to exist. The point is quite simple, and it is twofold. You obviously have no true understanding of what this machine actually does and sees and who sees it and at what time, and you have forgotten that flying commercial in this country (or any other soveriegn nation I am aware of) is a PRIVELEDGE, not an inalienable RIGHT. One simply does not walk into a courthouse and proclaim what they will or won't do/have done to them. One also does not walk into Wal-Mart and proclaim what they will or will not be subjected to for price. One most certainly does not walk into a school or church and proclaim what they will or will not hear/have told to them. You have the singular RIGHT to not hear those things, Don't go to that institution. You have the singular RIGHT to not pay those prices: Don't go to that store. You have the singular RIGHT to not be screened at a courtroom: Don't be indicted for anything. You have the singular right to avoid questionable or offensive material on your TV- Change the channel.And last, but not least, you have the singular RIGHT to avoid Body scans or other parts of the airline screening proces... you just won't be flying anywhere anytime soon. Enjoy the bus.
April 1, 2008 9:35 PM
I feel the TSA ought to re-think its policy of how it deals with children and those traveling with children. On a recent flight from Bozeman to San Diego my 2 ½ year old son went through the metal detector with me. It alarmed - great. I went through again and it alarmed again. Then I immediately figured out what it was: I had a barrette in my hair, nothing else. I was not given the opportunity to take it out and go through again. Instead they informed me they needed to do the "special screening" on me and my son. I feel the TSA agent pulling my screaming son away from me and patting him down was completely unnecessary. He is only 2 ½!! This got my entire family upset. My 6 year old daughter seeing me standing there like a criminal getting wanded and patted down,and her brother in a total meltdown made her cry and get very scared. My husband was beside himself that it was actually happening and of course was furious. I feel this treatment is extreme and demoralizing. Does this really need to happen to children? Furthermore travelers are intimidated by the agents and the entire process. Who feels like they can object when there is a fear of additional unnecessary searches, missing a flight or worse?
Yes I know that I could have made him go through by himself – but he was already scared and didn’t understand why he had to take off his shoes. I was trying to comfort him - silly me.
April 1, 2008 10:17 PM
I was originally going to complain about the water thing, but that got me thinking about the bigger picture.
I recently flew from MSP to Singapore via LAX. I went through security in MSP and bought a bottle of water after that screening. I didn't drink the whole bottle on the MSP - LAX flight, intending to save it for the longer flight. It didn't occur to me since I had to change terminals at LAX, I would also have to leave the secure area in terminal 2 and go through security a second time to get to the gate in terminal 4. It would be nice -- in the longer term -- if there could be a method to change terminals at larger airports like that without having to go through security a second time.
April 1, 2008 11:19 PM
I was coming home from Vegas on Sunday with my bum knee. A lady hailed me just as I was getting into the fairly long but still moving security line and moved me over to the gimp line. I showed my ID and said I could take it off and limp through. The guy *smiled* and said, "It's there for a reason. Just leave it on. It'll take a few extra minutes, that's all." I limped through, was promptly given a seat to await my frisking and then did the whole wipe down with have-you-recently-worked-with-explosives Stridex pads.
That said, TSA in Phoenix still seems to be a bunch of well, not terribly helpful let's just say.
April 1, 2008 11:45 PM
To the anonymous person who thinks people who do not want body scans should not fly:
If body scans are so essential to "keep us safe", why are they not used in other public places like subways or trains? Remember there were terrorist attacks on subways and trains too!
The bottom line is that the TSA imposes new and unpleasant tactics without seeing the need to prove they are effective. I would like to see a serious scientific study showing that the policies in place already are effective. Actually, the only studies I have seen to date show they are not.
April 2, 2008 6:29 AM
I was wondering if anyone on this blog ever used the TSA registry to verify if you are on a no-fly list. I was chosen for extra-special security the last 5 times I traveled, with no apparent reason. I would like to understand why, but I am afraid the registry will get me no more than a standard uninformative response message, in which case I would prefer not to send the TSA all my personal data.
April 2, 2008 6:31 AM
"How is a professional screening staff who doesn't know you from Adam (or Eve, as the case may be) supposed to just magically KNOW you're innocent just because you say so? Pardon the naivite' but if you could be taken at your word, then there would be no need of security ANYWHERE in the world and terrorism as we know it would cease to exist. The point is quite simple, and it is twofold. You obviously have no true understanding of what this machine actually does and sees and who sees it and at what time, and you have forgotten that flying commercial in this country (or any other soveriegn nation I am aware of) is a PRIVELEDGE, not an inalienable RIGHT. One simply does not walk into a courthouse and proclaim what they will or won't do/have done to them. One also does not walk into Wal-Mart and proclaim what they will or will not be subjected to for price. One most certainly does not walk into a school or church and proclaim what they will or will not hear/have told to them. You have the singular RIGHT to not hear those things, Don't go to that institution. You have the singular RIGHT to not pay those prices: Don't go to that store. You have the singular RIGHT to not be screened at a courtroom: Don't be indicted for anything. You have the singular right to avoid questionable or offensive material on your TV- Change the channel.And last, but not least, you have the singular RIGHT to avoid Body scans or other parts of the airline screening proces... you just won't be flying anywhere anytime soon. Enjoy the bus."
TSA Said:
"Our ultimate goal is to create an atmosphere that aligns with our passenger's need to be secure, while ensuring the freedom of movement for people. In doing so, our employees will assure customer confidence and ultimately establish a standard for passenger satisfaction.
Our culture provides passengers a secure and pleasant travel experience. We achieve this through highly-competent and dedicated customer service teamwork and respect. We strive to earn the respect and trust of all airline passengers by practicing the following five principles:
* Security that is Professional - Service that delivers positive lasting impressions with proper image and effective communications.
* Security with Customer Service - Service is efficient while maintaining the dignity of all passengers.
* Security that is Attentive - Service that acknowledges the passenger strives to minimize passenger anxiety and put them at ease.
* Security that Encourages Teamwork - Service of the highest quality resulting from combined individual efforts.
* Security that Protects Civil Rights - Service that is delivered with respect and equity."
Measure up or quit....
April 2, 2008 9:53 AM
While on the surface, this blog seems to make people feel better, I am afraid it's nothing more than a venting forum. I've been reading page after page after page of blatant abuses and mistreatment meted out by the TSA and now what? You get one out of every 100 or so comments responded to by the TSA and then it's usually to defend their current course of action. Are any changes actually going to come out of this forum? I am frankly disgusted with this heinous organization and saddened by the abuses that are allowed against citizens in response to 9-11.
April 2, 2008 2:03 PM
A couple of weeks ago I was going through screening in Baltimore. In my plastic bag was a tube of Desitin. I am 65 years old and was advised that I could not board with it unless I was accompanied by a child. I explained that I had a rash and it was for treatment. They took the Desitin. Seems to me the worst I could do with it was rub it on someones butt.
April 2, 2008 2:15 PM
About the full body scans: I heard they are going to be voluntary, and people will be able to choose if they prefer pat downs or body scans.
Is it me or does that kind of defeat the purpose of the process?
Second, I was told they have technology to blur out "sensitive" body parts. I wonder how that works given all our different builds. Could the TSA please provide the liturature on this point?
April 2, 2008 2:40 PM
My wife and I flew Sea to Anc with four checked bags and one was overweight. When we unpacked we had a notice of Hazardous Material Removal per 49 CFR 171.2(a) in the overweight piece. I don't know what was taken if it was valuable or not. The worst part is we have been racking our brains on what it was plus we haven't learned what we did wrong.
We suggest when something is taken from a bag it would be right that the customer should know what was taken.
April 2, 2008 5:37 PM
Anonymous said at 2:40 p.m.
"About the full body scans: I heard they are going to be voluntary, and people will be able to choose if they prefer pat downs or body scans.
Is it me or does that kind of defeat the purpose of the process?
Second, I was told they have technology to blur out "sensitive" body parts. I wonder how that works given all our different builds. Could the TSA please provide the liturature on this point?"
It ain't much of a choice is it?
However, I wonder how the Ma and Pa Kettles of the world feel about having their young, nubile Daisy Mae either felt up or seen naked by the TSA. We don't seem to hear much from them.
April 2, 2008 7:34 PM
To the person commenting on being selected for additional screening the last five times they traveled. Just wanted to clarify on this issue that the overwhelming majority of these selections are made by the airlines themselves, not by the TSA. When you get your boarding passes from your airline next time compare it to another person on the same airline and you will see the additional marking on it indicating you were selected by the airline for additional screening. Once you have been selected, TSA staff is then required to conduct that screening.
April 2, 2008 9:29 PM
How about actually taking time to thank the government for putting these policies in place to keep us safe? Because last time I checked, Pre-9/11 we weren't doing really anything to keep people protected on airplanes so thank you TSA for making me feel a whole lot safer when flying.
Whether you agree with some stupid regulations or not, keep in mind that they are trying to keep you safe not just make your life harder.
April 2, 2008 11:29 PM
Does anyone believe the Delete-O-Meter, stuck on 161 for the last 10 days, at least? I alone had 4 squeaky-clean messages "disappear". I actually think the Delete-O-Meter represents the TSA very well: invented data generating policies that make no sense and everyone complains about, but can´t get rid of.
April 3, 2008 7:06 AM
I use a cane and and wear orthotics (braces) on both legs that start at at the balls of my feet and finish mid calf. Sneakers are the only shoes I wear to accomodate the orthotics. Removing my shoes isn't an option for me so I have to be wand every time. I fly frequently during the year. Couldn't the TSA come up with a system that indicates passengers such as myself do not need to be wand every single time they are going to get on an airplane?
April 3, 2008 9:43 AM
"My wife and I flew Sea to Anc with four checked bags and one was overweight. When we unpacked we had a notice of Hazardous Material Removal per 49 CFR 171.2(a) in the overweight piece. I don't know what was taken if it was valuable or not. The worst part is we have been racking our brains on what it was plus we haven't learned what we did wrong."
First, you should know what's in your bags. If you know what's in them, then you can figure out what's been removed.
Second, since the note said you had hazmat, go onto TSA's website and find out what is hazmat. Did you have anything flammable in your bag? Lighters? Matches? Flammable aerosols (i.e. disinfectant spray, static guard, etc.)
Third, TSA has to inform your airline when they remove hazmat. If it's deemed valuable, the airline has the option to notify you before the item is destroyed.
April 3, 2008 10:20 AM
Responding to the person posting concerning an item removed from their checked bag and finding a Hazardous Material Removal per 49 CFR 171.2(a) sheet in the bag. This is most commonly used in the removal of lighters when found inside a checked bag. Lighters are not allowed in checked bags and removal is required when they are found. Most likely this is the case as you haven't noticed anything missing from your bag. Other items which would be classified as Hazardus Material would be removed also and turned over to the airline for final disposition.
April 3, 2008 10:21 AM
OK, I am not entirely sure where to post this, but hoping it will make it's way through channels for cinsideration. There are a couple additional catagories I would like to suggest adding to the blog. First concerning the possible addition of a question / answer area where people could post questions to be answered by other bloggers or screeners while allowing gripes and complaints to be posted seperately. Secondly would be an area where TSA screeners could post their own coments and stories for others to read and get a view of things from the other side.
April 3, 2008 10:34 AM
"Does anyone believe the Delete-O-Meter, stuck on 161 for the last 10 days, at least? I alone had 4 squeaky-clean messages "disappear". I actually think the Delete-O-Meter represents the TSA very well: invented data generating policies that make no sense and everyone complains about, but can´t get rid of."
I don't believe it 'cause I've offered several comments in different threads and only one or two have been published. None of the unpublished comments violated the Comment Policy.
April 3, 2008 10:38 AM
I am 86 years young and a lady TSA frisked me like I was a murderer. I couldn't help myself I just started crying and couldn't stop crying the whole flight.I was crying and crying and crying.I just couldn't calm down. Why are they so mean? What do they think I'm going to do? Maybe I should bring them some cookies next time.
April 3, 2008 11:10 AM
I have a titanium hip replacement and have had problems at airports since it was implanted. I am a slender person and travel in clothing that has no metal parts (other than my bra fastener) so it's easy to detect that only my left hip is setting off the detector.I have a crad showing my hip X ray but no one has ver looked at it.
SFO is the worst airport in the world for this. I am treated with discourtesy and like a common criminal. Even at busy times when people are rushing through and no one is paying attention I am NOT ALLLOWED to get my purse and hand luggage off the belt. Every time I go through SFO I risk having my passport, wallet and credit cards stolen and am a basket case with worry when I'm travelling alone.
In Australia and the UK screeners are very courteous and allow my personal possessions to be put aside safely while I'm wanded and patted down.
Why can this courtesy not be extended to people like me at SFO?
In fact why doesn't the TSA have a program that allows people with prostheses to go through a special clearance procedure and background check to avoid this sort of unpleasantness?
April 3, 2008 12:29 PM
Now this is fun: One complaint about the Delete-O-Meter and it instantly goes up from to 209!!
April 3, 2008 12:39 PM
"To the person commenting on being selected for additional screening the last five times they traveled. Just wanted to clarify on this issue that the overwhelming majority of these selections are made by the airlines themselves, not by the TSA."
I understand the selections are made by the airline based on TSA issued guidelines and lists.
"When you get your boarding passes from your airline next time compare it to another person on the same airline and you will see the additional marking on it indicating you were selected by the airline for additional screening."
That is the best part of all. Because I have nothing to hide, when I get my marked boarding pass I sigh and go ahead. If I were a terrorist, however, I would be really happy to have been warned ahead of time of my super-search category...
April 3, 2008 12:50 PM
Someone anonymously wrote:
"Whether you agree with some stupid regulations or not, keep in mind that [the United States government is] trying to keep you safe not just make your life harder."
This isn't pee-wee football. Our government doesn't get a prize just for trying, particularly when what they're trying is an enormous burden that has yet to be proven effective and has been found in many ways to be ineffective
"last time I checked, Pre-9/11 we weren't doing really anything to keep people protected on airplanes"
I suggest that you check more carefully. At that time, we were x-raying carry-on baggage, having passengers walk through metal detector, and using a hand-held metal detector on those who set off the walk-through one.
What has changed since then? Now, we x-ray shoes, require that liquids in carry-on baggage be divided into portions no larger than 3oz. each, prohibit large hand tools and some (but not all) large, sharp objects from being carried on, and position increasingly militaristic government agents at airport security checkpoints to bark arbitrary commands, enforce secret laws by which we are bound to abide but that we are not allowed to see, and generally condition the public to certain aspects of living in a police state, often misleading people into believing that they must ask permission from their government before traveling.
Oh, and we fortified cockpit doors. That's about the only real improvement that has been made.
Wow -- who can we thank for all this? I guess we can thank Congress for their lack of oversight. We can also thank people like this anonymous commenter, who were so frightened by a horrendous crime (one that clearly could have been avoided) that they have since sat by idly while our Constitution is subverted in the name of keeping us safe from an overblown threat that is likely to be no more dangerous than was Communism during the Cold War.
Thanks!
April 3, 2008 1:01 PM
Anonymous writes:
First, you should know what's in your bags. If you know what's in them, then you can figure out what's been removed.
Ahh, but if the bags have been out of my control since I gave them to the airline, and the bags are unlocked (per TSA policy), and TSA is not guaranteeing the security of the bags while they're out of my possession, then I don't really know what's in there anymore, do I?
April 3, 2008 2:10 PM
"Now this is fun: One complaint about the Delete-O-Meter and it instantly goes up from to 209!!"
There's been more than one complaint, they just haven't been posted.
TSA damaged control at it's finest!
April 3, 2008 2:45 PM
I fly frequently, and find the often-changing TSA requirements baffling. I honestly feel that the TSA is looking harder for bottles of water than they are for anything that might actually harm us. I do not feel that this hassle is making us any safer, if any of these new "security measures" were actually important then why would they be changing them all the time?
April 3, 2008 3:43 PM
I agree with
Cannon Ciota
in his comment he left above, That you can have metal detectors and question suspicious people, but that full body xray machines is crossing the line. I realize that alot of this new technology invading our privacy is not to further protect us, but rather created to ease the tracking of people (for DHS benifit), and was mainly designed to make life easier for the TSA, not us.
April 3, 2008 4:49 PM
Yes, there was security screening at airports pre 9/11. At that time this was done by private companies each with the ability and authority to implement their own security procedures. Each responsible for their own performance standards.
We don't enjoy "barking orders" to quote an earlier post, any more than you enjoy hearing them. This is only one practice where decisions are made at the top and the people you see at the bottom are charged with carrying out. Do we enjoy going through your bags for one little bottle of hand lotion? No. However it is something we are required to do.
One thing to think about next time you see a person in the security line with a leg brace, cast, prosethetic device or other medical device they may be wearing or carrying with them. Just ask yourself what a person could hide inside one of them to try to get through security.
Also it is not that we don't want to answer your questions regarding the screening process and TSA procedures, we simply are not allowed to reveal that information to the public, and doing so would be dealt with very seriously.
April 3, 2008 6:05 PM
>>We don't enjoy "barking orders" to quote an earlier post, any more than you enjoy hearing them. This is only one practice where decisions are made at the top and the people you see at the bottom are charged with carrying out.<<
Hey blog team...
Can you confirm or deny that "barking orders" is "one practice where decisions are made at the top"?
If it is, may I have fifteen minutes face to face with whoever made that decision? I want to dust off my drill field voice, bark a few orders at them, then have them do push-ups until I get tired. (grin)
April 3, 2008 9:03 PM
On a recent trip that my mother took to come see me, her checked bag was searched at ICT airport. I had instructed my sister to purchase one of those TSA-approved locks, so that the lock could be opened AND THEN RELOCKED. The suitcase was opened and never relocked. Thanks for keeping our lock. Don't you reap enough from seizing stuff through security checkpoints?
April 3, 2008 9:22 PM
Why is it some posts are on here more than once?
April 3, 2008 9:24 PM
Only 1 of my 4 comments have been published, and they did not violate the policy at all. Maybe they are overwhelmed with posts.
I think that the agents are mindlessly following procedures, mainly because they are not allowed to make decisions on their own. With some additional training, allowing the agents to use some common sense, and having the agents explain your options, TSA could avoid future "Nipplegates".
April 3, 2008 10:15 PM
Just flew back from Guam (US Territory) to Tokyo. This is my third trip in as many years.
In 2006, luggage handling and the security checkpoints in Guam were a nightmare. This year, as in 2007, everything was smooth. TSO's at the security checkpoint were professional, efficient and warm. Name badges were clearly visible.
Any TSO's from other airports who are constantly whining on this blog about passengers should go to Guam to see how it's done. 95% of the passengers on my flight were Japanese, don't speak (much) English and still the TSO's managed to communicate with them without shouting or any of the other nonsense we read about so often. We're also not talking about little planes flying out of Guam. It's 747's so there are lots of passengers to process.
Perhaps it helps that Guam's biggest industry is tourism and all of the TSO's at the airport know that not just their jobs but the jobs of everyone else on the island depend on tourists enjoying their visit and wanting to come back.
In 2006 our trip was wonderful up until we hit the TSA on our return. We nearly gave up on going to Guam because of that. If the chaos had continued into 2007 we probably would have. Kudos to the staff in Guam for fixing their problems.
April 3, 2008 11:07 PM
Not only is the Delete-O-Meter stuck, but the last comment on "Shoes" is from Feb. 12. Damage control at its best.
April 4, 2008 6:48 AM
I posted a few days ago in the DFW blog in response to a TSO talking about the number of passengers his area at IAH sees everyday. The comment was posted, then some time later it was removed. The TSO's comment is still there. Is this a change to the SOP?
April 4, 2008 7:45 AM
I am a mid-thirties, white, petite European woman and travel frequently to the US for business purposes. I have never had a problem with immigration. They are always polite and approve my entry quickly and easily.
However, I have been selected for "extra-special" TSA security 9 out of the last 9 times I have been in a US airport. I suspect I must be on some kind of risk of flight list.
If I am on such a list, why don´t I ever have any trouble with immigration? If I am not, what makes me so suspicious that I am always selected at check-in?
The whole system makes no sense.
April 4, 2008 9:07 AM
Anonymous said... Not only is the Delete-O-Meter stuck, but the last comment on "Shoes" is from Feb. 12. Damage control at its best. April 4, 2008 6:48 AM
The delete-o-meter was updated yesterday. It is updated on a weekly basis. It's not real-time.
Also, if you look at the bottom of the shoes page, you'll see "Older -
Oldest / Newer - Newest." By clicking on those, it will take you to the other comments.
Bob
TSA EoS Blog Team
April 4, 2008 9:11 AM
Bob: the link at the bottom of the Shoes page just takes me back to Page 1 of Shoes, not Page 2 ...
April 4, 2008 9:36 AM
"Ahh, but if the bags have been out of my control since I gave them to the airline, and the bags are unlocked (per TSA policy), and TSA is not guaranteeing the security of the bags while they're out of my possession, then I don't really know what's in there anymore, do I?"
If you really believe someone from the airlines or TSA slipped something in your bag only to have it removed at no consequence to you, then why do you care what was removed? Are you saying you want TSA to assign someone to personally escort your luggage to your destination? As of now, the bags are first in possession and control of the airlines, then TSA before your bag is even loaded on your plane, and then your bag is in control of the airlines again. By the way, TSA does not have a policy requiring your bags to be unlocked. If you have a TSA lock, TSA can unlock your bag and relock it.
April 4, 2008 9:38 AM
@jim huggins said:
Bob: the link at the bottom of the Shoes page just takes me back to Page 1 of Shoes, not Page 2 ...
Hi Jim, Bob may be off-line for a little bit -- says he wants to see his family and get a little R&R! Sheesh! ;)
Blogger.com recently cut off posts after 200 comments, using a "page break" feature. Unfortunately, the feature only works on Blogger.com hosted blogs. As you can see, we host our blog on our TSA.GOV server.
So... you can still see comments above 200, but you will have to view them on the Blogger.com site. Here's how to do it:
1) Click on the Post a Comment link (on the Shoes post).
2) on the Blogger.com site, click the Newest >> link.
3) View the posts above 200.
Sorry for the wacky workaround but this is something that Blogger.com has done without considering the impact on those that host their own blogs.
-Neil
TSA Blog Team
April 4, 2008 12:41 PM
See, I'm not sure that the TSA lock policy is really much of an option. Some suitcases (like my old Samsonite) don't have a way to add an external lock. And this site is chock full of complaints from people who use TSA locks, only to have their luggage returned to them with the locks unlocked, or worse, with the locks completely missing.
But back to the point. If the whole point of baggage screening is to make sure that "bad stuff" isn't allowed on a plane, it doesn't suffice to screen the bags when they're dropped off. You also need to ensure that the chain of custody is preserved: namely, that no one has the opportunity to access the bags between when they're screened and when they're loaded on the plane.
April 4, 2008 1:57 PM
With the arrest this week of yet another TSA employee involving porn or child molesting, why do you think TSA has so many of these problems? Is this an epidemic problem at Homeland Security?
April 4, 2008 2:25 PM
I just want to say that I went through security at BDL (Hartford/Springfield) today and was really impressed by the professionalism of the TSA. Granted that airport only had three metal detectors and one of those weird puff things anyway, so there's always less chaos, but I figured it was worth mentioning here in case it affects their wages or something. They were very polite, they greeted me warmly, calmly asked me if I needed any help juggling the five bins I had to deal with, and helped me get all my stuff back together at the end. Additionally the area outside of security at BDL has lots of rocking chairs, benches, and regular chairs for re-shoeing. All of these agents acted exactly how TSA agents ought to.
Which brings me to my next question- many commenters have asked about being able to complain about specific TSA agents. I also think that this is really important, as I have had terrible experiences with specific agents in the past. But is there any way to let the TSA know about a particularly excellent agent? In the past I have traveled with wheelchairs and other equipment and once in a while there's been on TSA agent who really goes out of their way to make sure everything goes smoothly for me. Is there a way I can be sure that they will be recognized and appreciated, possibly with a bonus, for their effort?
April 5, 2008 1:05 AM
You people who just want to do nothing but complain you are the real problem secondary to the terrorists. When will you understand that flying is not a right!
If you dont like it take the bus, the train, a boat, buy or rent an RV, drive your own car or stay at home. When something tragic happens you same complainers will have the most to say about what needs to be done for prevention and protection.
For the mom with the huge metal hair clip and the crying two year old why would you wear that type of clip and how many times do you need to go back to remove something YOU decided to wear?
To the crying older lady who received additional screening what were you crying for? If your not a criminal and you have nothing to hide common sense should prevail and cooperation should be the key.
You people who have jobs have to follow rules and regulations on a daily basis and enforce them as well. Im quite sure if a subordinate made an attempt to "buck" the system they would be issued their walking papers.
What you avid complainers dont realize is that you make your visits to the airport bad. Your attitude as soon as you walk in the door determines how your visit through the checkpoint will be.
Try to change who you are before you try to change DHS/TSA. They have a job and a mission to complete whether you like it or not. Unfortunately for me and a lot of other people they are protecting you complainers.
April 5, 2008 10:14 AM
No one said you had to fly. If you dislike TSA so much you can always, walk, drive or ride a bike. There are other ways to get to where you need to go. Also, TSA doesn't decide who gets "extra screening" the airlines do, so you might want to take it up with them, cuz there isnt any thing TSO's can do about it.
April 5, 2008 6:36 PM
"No one said you had to fly. If you dislike TSA so much you can always, walk, drive or ride a bike. There are other ways to get to where you need to go. Also, TSA doesn't decide who gets "extra screening" the airlines do, so you might want to take it up with them, cuz there isnt any thing TSO's can do about it."
You can still fly. There are 19000 airports in this country, TSA has their sat at 450.
April 5, 2008 9:07 PM
This is in response to the person asking about submitting comments for specifif TSA screeners (either positive or negative). Many locations have yellow comment cards at the checkpoints which can be filled out and turned in. If these are unavailable , or you wish to inquire about a particular person I would suggest asking to speak with the supervisor on duty at the time. They should be able to provide you with the information you are wanting.
April 6, 2008 9:52 AM
In response to the woman asking about being selected for extra screening at check-in. My suggestion would be to inquire about this with the airline when you do check-in. There are certain triggers in place that would cause you to be selected for the additional screening, and the airline could possibly give you more information than TSA screeners could. I see many travelers come through security on a routine basis who face the same situation as yourself. These individuals often are aware of being selected, and even the reason why they were selected for the screening by the airline.
April 6, 2008 9:59 AM
The great majority of TSA people are courteous, efficient, and quite professional. I like having the TSA versus the former private contractors at each airport.
Personally, I have NO problem with more profiling. It is how El Al makes their flights so safe, and there is nothing wrong with the TSA using more profiling techniques - including more screening for passengers in certain ethnic groups or age groups or whatever is important at the time, based on threat levels.
April 6, 2008 2:55 PM
anonymous said:
No one said you had to fly. If you dislike TSA so much you can always, walk, drive or ride a bike. There are other ways to get to where you need to go. Also, TSA doesn't decide who gets "extra screening" the airlines do, so you might want to take it up with them, cuz there isnt any thing TSO's can do about it.
A right to travel by air exists. In addition, airlines are common carriers and are held to a higher standard with respect to their customers than, say for example, a department store.
For many of us, traveling by air is the only practical way to accomplish our business. So for one to say there are other options, that is being incongrouous.
For extra screening, you are only talking about that required via your boarding pass. In all other cases, it is the TSA that is making the decision for extra screening.
The SSSS (or boarding pass secondary screening) standards are set by the TSA. So you are being quite disingenuous when stating it is only the airlines that cause the problem. By analogy, a criminal says to a person that they are required to kill one of two other people or else both of them will be killed. The criminal can not then say they were innocent since they didn't kill the one person.
April 6, 2008 4:05 PM
Im a TSO and I have seen ALOT of complaints on these blogs and for the most part I agree. I just do my job as I am asked to do so. I recently had the privlage of meeting a women who lost her mother in 911 attacks, she thanked me for eveything we try to do and thats all I need to get through my days here with the TSA. So keep complaining because the people who have been directly effected by these terribal events over the past few years appriciate us, and they know what it is to have a lesser security. Its ten minutes that could save a life or a couple hundred no matter how rediculous taking off your shoes may seem.
April 6, 2008 4:18 PM
"No one said you had to fly. If you dislike TSA so much you can always, walk, drive or ride a bike. There are other ways to get to where you need to go. Also, TSA doesn't decide who gets "extra screening" the airlines do, so you might want to take it up with them, cuz there isnt any thing TSO's can do about it."
Or you can fly anywhere you want in the US without being screened by a TSO. Private pilots, charter aircraft, corporate jets, and other aircraft have a different security system in place. If you haven't experienced it, you are in for a VERY pleasant surprise. Often by flying from one small airport to another, you may get less of a commute at both ends. Add to that is the baggage security- you may find yourself carrying it to and from the plane.
April 6, 2008 5:36 PM