TSA Experiences

[Andrea]

Please share your Transportation Security Administration (TSA) experiences here. Be sure to denote if you are referring to before or after the “enhanced” pat downs began in November 2010.

I have not flown for over a year now and I find I am dreading any interaction with the TSA screeners due to the multitude of recent negative reports. I really want to know I am over reacting so my honey and I can fly away to some place warm for a week or so.

As much as I would love to know how everyone feels about the TSA, it would be my preference to hear from only those that have experienced TSA security. Thank you for your consideration.

Please tell me your experience(s) and be sure to include:

1) What airport you flew out of
2) Did you go through a metal detector or the backscatter
3) Did you alarm or opt out
4) Describe your pat down experience, if any
5) Describe the experience of anyone traveling with you or to visit you
6) State how you feel about the TSA and Homeland Security
7) Anything else you feel is pertinent

[Andrea]

Except for a few day trips for work, my last flight was in February of 2008. We had to change terminals during a layover in PHX. My carry on was passing through x-ray when the TSO starting yelling how we were going to make everyone miss their flights. He stopped the belt and began pulling things out of my bag. We have no idea what he saw in the x-ray that caused his reaction but he became even more excited and louder when he found our liquids, all in 3 oz bottles and in the quart size baggie. He opened the baggie and pulled out the bottle marked ‘sunscreen SPF 45’ in black sharpie. He then insisted this meant the bottle was 4.5 oz rather than 3 oz.

To this day, I can’t remember what happened after he found the offensive item but we were allowed to gather our things, including the sunscreen, and go.

I do not believe I am any safer now than I was before TSA. Nothing the TSA is doing will prevent a terrorist from taking down a plane. It would be my preference to do away with TSA.

Andrea

[JustJo]

I've flown a fair amount in the past year, but only between Syracuse, NYC, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Phoenix.

I got a pat down in West Palm for wearing a "voluminous skirt"...but it was no big deal...female TSA agent was polite, professional and quick. And another in Phoenix when I stupidly wore a blouse with a metal clasp that couldn't be removed and set off the metal detector. Again, no big deal.

I was given a choice in Phoenix to go in the backscatter line or the standard line...the TSA agent was just telling people (correctly) that the backscatter line moved faster, but we were all free to make our own choice. I went in the standard line, because I don't like the idea of the backscatter.

Andrea, I wonder if the TSA agent you described got all weird because your liquids were packed in your bag. In every airport I fly through they tell you to put them on top, not in your carryon, so that they can clearly be seen. He/She may have felt like you were trying to hide something.

Orlando security is slow and difficult to predict...mostly because a bazillion families are going through there on vacation. Sometimes it feels like they're just shoveling people through, and other times they get very picky.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by JustJo

I've flown a fair amount in the past year, but only between Syracuse, NYC, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Phoenix.

I got a pat down in West Palm for wearing a "voluminous skirt"...but it was no big deal...female TSA agent was polite, professional and quick. And another in Phoenix when I stupidly wore a blouse with a metal clasp that couldn't be removed and set off the metal detector. Again, no big deal.

I was given a choice in Phoenix to go in the backscatter line or the standard line...the TSA agent was just telling people (correctly) that the backscatter line moved faster, but we were all free to make our own choice. I went in the standard line, because I don't like the idea of the backscatter.

Andrea, I wonder if the TSA agent you described got all weird because your liquids were packed in your bag. In every airport I fly through they tell you to put them on top, not in your carryon, so that they can clearly be seen. He/She may have felt like you were trying to hide something.

Orlando security is slow and difficult to predict...mostly because a bazillion families are going through there on vacation. Sometimes it feels like they're just shoveling people through, and other times they get very picky.

Thank you for your response. I am happy to hear you found your pat downs to be "no big deal".

Do you feel flying is safer with the latest TSA requirements, including receiving a pat down due to wearing a skirt or wearing clothing that has a metal clasp? Were you allowed to keep your things in view at all times?

You may be correct about why the TSA agent in my situation got all weird. We are not seasoned travelers so may have made a mistake but that certainly does not excuse his yelling at us.

Andrea

[Linus]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Please share your Transportation Security Administration (TSA) experiences here. Be sure to denote if you are referring to before or after the “enhanced” pat downs began in November 2010.

I have not flown for over a year now and I find I am dreading any interaction with the TSA screeners due to the multitude of recent negative reports. I really want to know I am over reacting so my honey and I can fly away to some place warm for a week or so.

As much as I would love to know how everyone feels about the TSA, it would be my preference to hear from only those that have experienced TSA security. Thank you for your consideration.

Please tell me your experience(s) and be sure to include:

1) What airport you flew out of
2) Did you go through a metal detector or the backscatter
3) Did you alarm or opt out
4) Describe your pat down experience, if any
5) Describe the experience of anyone traveling with you or to visit you
6) State how you feel about the TSA and Homeland Security
7) Anything else you feel is pertinent

I travel regularly. By that I mean I usually am somewhere up in the air 1-4 times a month. In fact, I have an upcoming trip outside of the US. The main airports I use/have gone through are: LAX (current home airport); JFK (Terminal 8 was former home airport); DFW (go through lots); YYZ (Toronto -- 1-3 times a year); YUL (Pierre Elliot Trudeau airport in Montreal); YHZ (once every other year); SJC (San Jose, CA); SFO (San Fran) and so on. I've rarely had problems in the last 3 years (I've had about 40-50 flights in those years) except once when I had my new passport but the ticket was in my old name. That took an extra 5 min at DC's Dulles airport (gawd awful TSA design where ALL terminals go through the same security checkpoint).

I've gone through both and have never had a problem (I'm pre-op at all levels). And I've never alarmed. This is simply because I've gotten a good routine: when going to the airport I put all things that could trigger the alarm into my knapsack, remove my laptop, take off my cap and shoes. While each TSA Security checkpoint has minor differences there are some consistencies:

- bags should be on the conveyor belt
- laptops, iPads and other tablets in their own box on the conveyor
- liquids outside of carry-on (I rarely take liquids with me unless it's my T -- most other liquids stay in my checked luggage)
- shoes are usually sandals (Keens) or Five Fingers; ideally something to easily slip on and off

I tend to get through checkpoints in 5 min or less. I've never been patted down but that may be because I've never given them reason to. I listen to what is said, pay attention, be polite and smile.

As for TSA and Homeland Security, well.. as a person who is allowed to stay in the country on a work visa and how I've been treated by them and USCIS, I'll hold my tongue. I will say this: I've seen some of the nastiest things said to TSA agents. These people do not get paid huge amounts to do their jobs nor do they deserve to receive the wrath of what we dislike about the rules. Those should be fired at the head of Homeland Security and the various Reps and Senators that voted the Patriot Act and Super Patriot Act into action, the very laws, IIRC, that created this organization.

As for safe, hardly. As a security geek, I can think of things that could make this country more safe (mostly related to how the US maintains it's foreign policy and it's image abroad). This does add transparency but doesn't address the true issue of safety. Regulations for the airlines, consumer protection and better standardization would help. Hearing -- non-stop -- about it being "Threat Level Orange" is asinine and does nothing.

Now, I will add that in this day and age I'd expect everyone to know what's required of them when traveling. I get frustrated by the number of people who refuse to check their oversized bag (yes, I know there is a fee with some airlines but it is annoying) and I get further annoyed by those who don't come to the security check points prepared in advance. TSA's website (and now their iPhone app) actually have good guidance as to what to do when going through the security process and what you're allowed to bring.

From TSA's website:

Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1

TSA and our security partners conducted extensive explosives testing since August 10, 2006 and determined that liquids, aerosols and gels, in limited quantities, are safe to bring aboard an aircraft. The one bag limit per traveler limits the total amount each traveler can bring. Consolidating the bottles into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear the items.



3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 ounce (100ml) container size is a security measure.


Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.


3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.


Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening.

Now, yelling at you is not acceptable. I would suggest that if it happens in the future, contact their Civil Rights office (I think it's kind of like an ombudsman or something: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/civilrights/index.shtm) I will say that they have improved and they are listening to passengers. They certainly have been listening to the trans* community and our concerns, particularly about the Backscatter scanner.

[TickledPink]

I've flown a great deal/numerous airports. I've never experienced any negative behavior from a TSA employee. In fact, I've had fun with a great deal of them. I found, if I wear my "Bite Me" t-shirt, it's a hit every time!

There was an error on my part once. I forgot I had a bottle of water in my backpack and every bell and whistle in LAX went off! I was mortified, they were NOT amused. I tried to make the best of it, they were still NOT amused........

They (TSA employees) have a tough gig. Keeping us safe! While rude and arrogance is not acceptable, I prefer nothing to be overlooked when I'm up in the air! Pat me down, scan me, check my bags and do it again if need be!

[Andrea]

Linus: Thank you for responding. I am sure there are travelers that mistreat TSA agents. Some people are just not good at tolerating any type of authority. You see it all the time with DMV, police, teachers, etc.

Tickled Pink: Thank you for offering your experiences. Is there a limit to what you would do to fly?

Andea

[Andrea]

Bump!! Any other TSA experiences to be shared?

[Andrea]

Bumping again. Anyone else have experience with TSA?

[sylvie]

Just flew to Oregon from New Brunswick, Canada.
So flew SJ to Montreal, Montreal to LAX, LAX to Oregon.
Went through the detector just fine, in Montreal i did sound the alarm and my bag went to the side for them to go through, i forgot i had bought a bottle of water once i was through security in Saint John.. He merely took out the bottle of water, gave me a wink of the eye and said "be good" and handed me my bag.

i always worried i would set the alarms off with my piercing, but i didn't.. i got a pat down in LAX ...Honestly, i have had no real issues with any agents in any airports.. i flew to Oregon and back again in October with my 15 year old daughter, and very pleasant each time, got through quickly..

Personally i feel if they pat me down, search my bags, ask me questions, whatever it takes, i'm good with it.. Helps me know they're doing what is necessary to keep it safe, and i see them do the same with others and that makes me feel safe..

[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.

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by sylvie

Just flew to Oregon from New Brunswick, Canada.
So flew SJ to Montreal, Montreal to LAX, LAX to Oregon.
Went through the detector just fine, in Montreal i did sound the alarm and my bag went to the side for them to go through, i forgot i had bought a bottle of water once i was through security in Saint John.. He merely took out the bottle of water, gave me a wink of the eye and said "be good" and handed me my bag.

i always worried i would set the alarms off with my piercing, but i didn't.. i got a pat down in LAX ...Honestly, i have had no real issues with any agents in any airports.. i flew to Oregon and back again in October with my 15 year old daughter, and very pleasant each time, got through quickly..

Personally i feel if they pat me down, search my bags, ask me questions, whatever it takes, i'm good with it.. Helps me know they're doing what is necessary to keep it safe, and i see them do the same with others and that makes me feel safe..

Thank you for sharing your experience. It is great that it wasn't unpleasant.

[ruffryder]

No pat downs Here post 9/11, Denver, Orlando, Houston, Puerto Vallarta.. My daughter has been traveling alone since she was five now she's fifteen. airlines and airports have been kind enough to let me and grandparents through security to escort her to gate and pick her up. On a recent occasion to pick her up in Orlando I had to go through the body scanner, so I did. I went through and was headed to get my belongings and a female tsa agent said "hold on sir". . 2 male tsa agents were at the xray machine nodded and then she said "oh NM you're okay." Lol I am preop Trans and was cracking up but happy I was called sir. I think if you follow the rules, are considerate, know they have a job to do and want little complication as possible things will go smooth for everyone. most are professional in their job and duties and understand people just want to get through and on with their travels. As a security officer having to check purses and bags at events, I know If people aren't ready when they hit the checkpoint and know the rules and what can be taken on site or on board it makes it uncomfortable for everyone and some become irritated and ask why and then just have to explain the rules and laws. So if you know all this ahead of time things will go smooth and fast and its to your advantage. I am glad we have the security we do in place and the homeland security and tsa branch. If you don't know there is also armed marshalls on airlines now dressed like everybody else.
I'd rather be safe knowing they have my safe travels in their interest and not letting a terrorist get through.

[JoSchmooze]

Having read all these responses, I would like to add my own two cents worth. I travel extensively because of my career. I have spent months on end going to the same place or flying as little as once a month. I have been doing this for a little over 15 years. I have seen all the changes since 9/11 and I agree with most of them.

Six years ago I had a titanium knee replacement. Since then I have been patted down or if possible, go through the backscatter machine. Now, in saying this I have found that before I go through the regular magnometer (screening machine) I indicate that they will have to call for a "female assist". The reason I bring this up is because even though I have not gone through any surgery, because of my size, hair stlye (spiky brush cut), voice and attitude I come off as male. All of the female TSA agents have treated me with respect . They explain everything they are going to do and will ask if you prefer a private screening. I treat the pat downs with a bit of humor by engaging with them by saying things like "you know you have to buy me dinner now" or "you know we have to stop meeting this way" but I always say it with a smile of my face! Most of the TSA agents in Tucson, AZ know me by face now and will have someone ready to gather up my belongings and escort me to a screening area. I have never missed a flight because of this process, nor have I been separated from my belongings. I am always able to see my belongings during a pat down. I actually missed packing up my laptop on my return home once but TSA contacted me that night (I have a business card taped to the cover of my laptop). When I went to retrieve it, all I ahd to do to prove that it was mine was start it up and enter the correct password (and show ID).

I do have one funny story......Recently I came through security in Frankfurt, Germany - not TSA but German officials. Of course, the magnometer buzzed when I went through and there were a male and female standing there with the handheld devices. I looked at the male and he was ready to start patting me down....I then looked at the female and said in my broken German "Ich eine frau"....I am a woman! He immediately stopped and her eyes got real big as she apologized profusely!!

Oh, and by the way....if you want to bring back cheese from Wisconsin home to your friends or family.....Be aware that it is the same consistency as C4 explosives. They will pull your carry on bag and ask to look inside! I spent a whole year going back and forth from Tucson to Milwaukee....I call that my "cheese smuggling trips"!

Relax and listen to the rules and there shouldn't be a problem.....

[Andrea]

ruff and Jo:

Did you watch the video? How do you feel about the number of TSA being charged with crimes? Do you feel it is proportional to the profession compared to other professions?

As a side question to you both: do you have any concern for the radiation put out by the backscatter machine?

Thank you for your input.

[JoSchmooze]

Originally Posted by Andrea

ruff and Jo:

Did you watch the video? How do you feel about the number of TSA being charged with crimes? Do you feel it is proportional to the profession compared to other professions?

As a side question to you both: do you have any concern for the radiation put out by the backscatter machine?

Thank you for your input.

Yes, I watched the video....
The majority of the crimes were not
related to being a TSA agent...
I think Morgan had a valid point in that you can look at ANY
profession and see corruption...I believe that it is
proportional.....

As for the radiation....
I have had multiple surgeries in my lifetime..
I now have a fusion in my neck, a knee replacement,
the other knee has been arthroscopically scoped
three times, a hysterectomy, a tonsillectomy, bilateral
pulmonary emboli, too many fractures to count...multiple thallium stress tests....

I ain't gonna worry about the minute amount of radiation
from a backscatter machine....

As a good friend of mine says...
"You can't get out of this life alive"....

[aishah]

it's pertinent to mention that i wore hijab (covered my hair and most of my body) up until about six months ago (on my id i'm covering so sometimes that still gets raised eyebrows). i'm also disabled and use a cane, but i don't "look disabled" (whatever that means, i guess because i'm 24), and so i usually encounter a lot of prejudice/disbelief because of that. also, one of my partners is an airport security consultant (he works separately from tsa - he's employed by the airport - but he helps run security and communications at an airport and also devises security tests for tsa).

since november 2010 i've flown out of tallahassee, jacksonville, philadelphia, charlottesville, kansas city, detroit, columbus, and miami, most of them multiple times. i always travel alone.

most security checkpoints don't have a plastic cane that i can use to go through the metal detector, and when they do have it, i can't use it to go through the full body scanner. normally things are hectic and they're not prepared to handle passengers with disabilities. i get separated from my carry-on luggage frequently. when i was covering i used to get my head and body patted down, no matter how small my scarf was or how obvious it was there was NO way i could be hiding a bomb under there because of my fear of being separated from my luggage and having things stolen (my partner has told me a lot of horror stories), i've never requested a private screening instead of the full-body scanner. i'd prefer it but i don't have the energy to deal with it.

i never bring anything unnecessary through the checkpoint. just my laptop, kindle, a notebook, my wallet, my phone. i wear shoes that are easy to get on and off and i never wear jewelry through the checkpoint. i'll go through extra pains to check everything else just so i don't have to deal with managing it through the checkpoint.

by far the worst experience i've had was in the jacksonville airport - i was put through the metal detector and the full-body scanner and patted down twice, then i was patted down again by every tsa agent that passed me on the way to the gate. having to put down my laptop case, figure out what to do with my cane while standing in the ridiculous pat-down position, and being humiliated in front of other passengers when it was obvious i was the only one being singled out for extra screening just made the whole experience pretty awful.

the good experiences mostly outweigh the bad. the good news is a lot of agents are too tired/overwhelmed to bother with a ton of extra screening, and every now and then i'll run into some who are really compassionate about the fact that i'm disabled and that makes screening more difficult, and who try very hard not to separate me from my belongings. even most of the ones who have made things difficult for me were at least not rude about it. it's made flying a rough experience which is kind of annoying because my amount of flying has been increasing a LOT, not decreasing...but i do love to fly. i just dread the security checkpoint a lot and i'm paranoid about making it to the gate in time to pre-board. i usually get to the airport 1.5-2 hours early just in case (1 hour is plenty of time for most people).

tsa is there to do their job. i get that. i have a lot of respect for them and everyone else working in airport security. but sometimes i question the efficacy of what they have to do (and i get that it's not their choice) - but, like, patting me down multiple times when it's obvious i'm not a threat rather than using some of that time/energy to pat down other passengers who might be? that doesn't seem efficient to me. but whatever. i don't have a grudge against tsa by any means. but i don't trust them with my belongings and i just wish their policies didn't make it so inconvenient for disabled passengers.

[tapu]

There was this time when Tiny Son was about 5 and the TSA agent asked if we had anything flammable, and Tiny Son said, "Just shirts." His reasoning was that shirts could be used to start a fire. They told him shirts were okay.

[tapu]

Then there was this other time when Tiny Son was old enough to have discovered sarcasm and when the TSA agent said, Do you have any firearms or other weapons?, Tiny Son said, "Right, we have guns." He claims that I actually punched him in the chest, but I don't remember much from the time period immediately following.

[flirtyokie]

My only tip is avoid wearing underwire bras or clothing with metal on it. I've flown quite a bit in the couple years for work (TUL, OKC, SFO, BWI, NWA, ATL, LIT, MSP, etc etc etc...)

I've never had a bad experience as long as I've remembered to pull my liquids out, pull out my computer, wear a sports bra and slip on shoes. If you're bringing any kind of food, just pull it out and put it in its own bin because they're probably going to check it. (If it's in its own bin, it saves them from having to search your whole bag.) Prepare yourself for an extra 5 minutes or so.

Remember, TSA agents (here at least) start around $10 an hour. They're not getting paid enough to deal with all this bullshit, so be nice.