TSA Experiences

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Hollylane

I recently traveled to Virginia, via PDX, and ORF. In the past, I have always been put through the full pat down due to an artificial knee.

PDX

No pat down. Efficient, attentive staff, full body scan. In and out, no fuss no muss. No conversation.

ORF

Full pat down. Friendly, cheerful, animated, empathetic, and attentive staff. In and out, no fuss no muss.


Personally, I preferred the full body scan. I was in and out, there was no "Female assist" announcement. I was on my way quickly, and in my opinion, I am not offended at all by the full body scan. I can see where it could be a problem for people with medical devices that could be harmed by this, but there were people there that were quickly moved to the pat down area, and were advised helpfully that they can now get some type of travel document to provide to TSA about their devices. Also, on the TSA website, they had options for persons who have been sexually traumatized.

Overall, I feel that the TSA is there for excellent reasons. I feel safer with them there, and I am happy to comply. There are always going to be bad employees in any job, and rules that need tweaking.

Realistically, the people who want to harm others, are likely to continue to seek ways to get past TSA, so I expect them to be vigilant, even if this inconveniences me or makes me a little uncomfortable.

Thank you for telling your experience.

I would also like to know if you have any concerns, or if you have looked into, the medical issues the backscatter machine might cause. The backscatter machines were banned in Europe due to the health concerns. Link

The other question I have is if you are aware that items can pass unseen through the backscatter machine? http://tsaoutofourpants.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/1b-of-nude-body-scanners-made-worthless-by-blog-how-anyone-can-get-anything-past-the-tsas-nude-body-scanners/

Would you feel less secure, possibly even no longer flying, if passengers were able to bring water and other liquids on the plane, wear shoes through screening, and only pass through the metal detector?

Again, thank you for contributing to the conversation.

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Thank you for telling your experience.

I would also like to know if you have any concerns, or if you have looked into, the medical issues the backscatter machine might cause. The backscatter machines were banned in Europe due to the health concerns. Link

The other question I have is if you are aware that items can pass unseen through the backscatter machine? http://tsaoutofourpants.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/1b-of-nude-body-scanners-made-worthless-by-blog-how-anyone-can-get-anything-past-the-tsas-nude-body-scanners/

Would you feel less secure, possibly even no longer flying, if passengers were able to bring water and other liquids on the plane, wear shoes through screening, and only pass through the metal detector?

Again, thank you for contributing to the conversation.

I would continue to fly regardless, I think that I face more risks and inconveniences in driving my car to work daily, than flying (this includes health and safety). I think that they are continuing to develop new technology, and are likely to fix current technology issues as they come up.

Passengers can, and do bring liquids onto the plane, but they are purchased after passing through TSA. I don't think that is likely to change, but who knows.

The imaging machine that I passed through at PDX was a Millimeter Wave Unit. Based on continuing research, this seems to be the safer of the two as far as repeated exposure. I think that if I encountered the Backscatter Unit, I would request a pat down.

[Andrea]

TSA waste and fraud

http://tsanewsblog.com/3298/news/tsa-waste-and-fraud/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaig n=Feed%3A+tsanewsblog%2FAzgs+%28TSA+News%29

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Would you feel less secure, possibly even no longer flying, if passengers were able to bring water and other liquids on the plane, wear shoes through screening, and only pass through the metal detector?

Although, in the US, my experience has been that I inevitably need to remove shoes passing through security, in Europe it is much less consistent. In general, across Europe, passengers are not required to remove their shoes or, in some instances, to remove their shoes if they have large in-built heels.


Regarding bringing liquids through security. Obviously the banning of these liquids only took effect in summer of 2006 (I remember it well as I was due to fly to Asia that day) but there is now an impetus in the UK to reverse this ban. I think a reversal of the "no liquids" ban is to be piloted shortly.

[justkim]

I have had the opportunity to fly several times in the past few years. As far as getting through security I have not had any real problems, unless you count the time when I was wearing a pair of jeans that had rivets that set off the alarm thing and I did get to have my purse dumped out because I had a key chain that was what I suspected made of a lead type material. They didn't even put the stuff back in my purse... Jerks! lol.. As far as taking liquid through this is what I have done with regards to taking something to drink. I own several cups with lids and straws in some cases, most if not all of the vendors that you encounter after the security gates will let you fill your cup with ice and water. I even have had flight attendants tell me that was a great idea, one even tried to steal my Starbucks straw cup. I told her she needed to get her own.lol. I will be flying again real soon and I will definitely taking my cup with me. TSA had no problem with me bringing my cup through security, they too said it was a good idea as long as it was empty.
I hope my trip in late July goes smoothly on the trip coming back to Colorado. I know leaving here will be easy enough, it is the other airport that I am worrying about.

[Andrea]

SDSU Student Back Home After Detour Over ‘No-Fly’ List Status

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/06/08/sdsu-student-back-home-after-detour-over-no-fly-list-status/

[Andrea]

TSA Wants to Taste your Post-Checkpoint Drink

http://wewontfly.com/tsa-wants-to-taste-your-post-checkpoint-drink

[Andrea]

TSA Invades Chicago Union Station

http://johnconner1984.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/tsa-invades-chicago-union-station/

The day after Independence Day, TSA is at the Chicago rail station. So much for independence and for 'if you don't like it, don't fly'.

[Andrea]

Man accused of impersonating airline employee at Eppley

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1364071-man-accused-impersonating-airline-employee-oma.html

Court documents obtained by the KETV NewsWatch 7's I-Team detailed allegations made by an FBI special agent, which show that Foster pretended to be a United Airlines employee at Eppley Airfield for six weeks starting in April 2012. Foster is accused of accessing secured areas and computers at Eppley Airfield, according to the court documents.