TSA Experiences

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

I sincerely want to know why I have to show my passport a min. of six times; after I have passed the initial security. It's all in the same freaking area. It is my pet peeve. Seriously. Why?? why??? If I can fly over the US and not have to travel through there, I avoid it. Even if it means paying a bit more for my ticket. Bonkers, it drives me Bonkers.

That is an excellent question. Have you asked anyone that might have the answer?

[Queerasfck]

A nice TSA guy said he liked my Margaret Cho t-shirt.

But the gal that took away apretty's yogurt was kinda gleeful about it.

[apretty]

Originally Posted by Queerasfck

A nice TSA guy said he liked my Margaret Cho t-shirt.

But the gal that took away apretty's yogurt was kinda gleeful about it.

what happened to john shaft!?

i'm always the last to know.

[SelfMadeMan]

We travel somewhat frequently, and I'm happy to report that I've never had a negative experience with TSA. I know some people have, and it sucks, but I would advise anyone traveling to not go into it thinking negatively, and not to assume all TSA agents are assholes.

[Andrea]

South Park's take on the TSA.

[Andrea]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303863404577281483630937016.html

A comment as posted on FlyerTalk:
The article includes this lovely quote from the Dear Administrator:

"We can reduce the size of the haystack when we are looking for that one-in-a-billion terrorist," said TSA Administrator John Pistole.

Now, since there are seven billion people on the earth, there are only seven terrorists on the entire planet.

It seems to me that Pistole is squandering a lot of resources by only looking for those seven people at US airports.



Me: All this for seven terrorists?

[Scorp]

OMMFGGG...THIS IS FRIGGIN' HILARIOUS!!!! I literally was laughing out loud!!! LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by Andrea

South Park's take on the TSA.

[Andrea]

I feel much safer now..../temporarily end sarcasm

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by Andrea

That is an excellent question. Have you asked anyone that might have the answer?

Twice in fact. Each time the same response "policy". The second time I asked and was given the word policy, I responded by asking the agent what the policy was meant to prevent. The agent at that time stated she was unaware of the details. Her body language and facial expressions prevented me from pressing the issue any further.

It is a tricky thing to question 'the authority' in a situation like that. I do not know the ins and outs of what makes a person a 'fly risk'. Or what makes a person suspicious. Or even how far can a bad attitude be taken, can an agents poor mood affect my ability to fly that day? Is there a process to realistically appeal within the time frame of being stopped and your flight leaving?

Sometimes I think it is easier to get frustrated than risk the flight.

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by foxyshaman

It is a tricky thing to question 'the authority' in a situation like that. I do not know the ins and outs of what makes a person a 'fly risk'. Or what makes a person suspicious. Or even how far can a bad attitude be taken, can an agents poor mood affect my ability to fly that day? Is there a process to realistically appeal within the time frame of being stopped and your flight leaving?

Sometimes I think it is easier to get frustrated than risk the flight.

This is absolutely true, and I know there are some pretty bad TSA agents out there....but I've never had a bad experience....and your post made me think of one of the better ones.

It was the first time my son had flown unaccompanied, and I was nervous as can be. He was just barely 13.

I got a gate pass to meet him at the gate, at Orlando....which can have annoying and ridiculous security lines at times and then be empty at others. I planned for plenty of time (I'm always early at the airport), but hit bad traffic and rain on the way, then a long line at the counter to get my gate pass, and then a gigantic line at security.

Then, I see the arrivals board....my son's flight got a tail wind evidently, and is arriving half an hour early.

I have visions of him wandering off the plane, me not there to meet him, and him on his own at the age of 13 in a very large airport.

Naturally, I was anxious and stressed.

I'm sure I exhibited all the signs of a potential problem....impatient, antsy, muttering to myself, visibly agitated. In fact, a female TSA agent approached me and asked me what was wrong. Clearly, this wasn't casual conversation....at this point I was a potential security risk.

I explained my dilemma.

She nodded, and said if I would agree to the backscatter she would get me through quickly so I could meet him at the gate.

I agreed.

She was good to her word - pulling me from the line and sending me through an employee line with a detour to the backscatter machine.

I ran from the other side....arriving just in time to meet him.

I think we need to remember that TSA agents are human...good and bad. If we approach them the way we'd like to be approached, with respect, it generally turns out better.