Ahhh!!! I can't take it anymore/SECURITY

[HexWRX]

Chaz, well said.

 

[RichardFitzwell]

1900laker and skypine69,

You guys are barking up the wrong tree. The new TSA screeners are doing what they were told to do and nothing more. They do not make the rules. They simply follow them. They have been told to look through your wallet only if you set off the walk through metal detector. It isn't done to hurt your feelings or belittle you. They want to ensure the people on the aircraft are safe. Believe it or not, people do carry credit card knives in their wallets. I'm sure they could care less how much $$ you are carrying.

Until a national identification process is implemented for flight crew, we will put up with this type of screening. I don't want the screeners to be responsible for determining whether you are 'a real pilot' flying for whatever no-name airline you might be with. I agree it may feel like harassment but who's to say a person with misguided intentions isn't dressed up in a pilots' uniform and trying to get through security? I agree the flashlight being considered a blunt object and trying to ban it from the aircraft was a stretch. If you were a 'normal passenger' this probably would have been banned because it is a blunt object (ex. golf clubs and hammers are banned).

As for flight crew members being picked for continious screening, it won't happen with the TSA. It is against their policy. You will only be wanded if you set off the metal detector.

Profiling might be a better system but it is not currently allowed at the TSA. I agree this is not a perfect system but until something better comes along, I will work with these people in a professional manner. Like it or not, we are counting on these people to ensure our aircraft are free from threats. Common courtesy on our part may ensure success at their job. I feel it will also build confidence with the traveling public and get people flying again. If passengers see you treating their efforts as a joke, they may also.

Sorry to rant. Fly safe.

 

[Caveman]

"The new TSA screeners are doing what they were told to do and nothing more. They do not make the rules. They simply follow them."

Yup and so did Hitler's boys and Stalin's cronies. Extreme examples? I think not. Most of the crap that happened under those regimes started out with everyone putting up with some minor incoveniences "for the good of the state". "Comrade, you shouldn't mind being inconvenienced if you have nothing to hide" is a BS reason to trample on the Bill of Rights.

 

[dashtrash]

I was riding the crew bus to the parking lot in SEA. I was out of uniform and sitting next to 5 or 6 screeners that just got off duty. The 6 foot 7 inch 130 pound bull-legged guy with a big head was talking to the 5 foot 1 inch 300 pound plus girl with two guts. He was bragging about the leatherman knife he swiped from the bin and complained about the fishing lures the passenger decieded to check back at the ticket counter. These are our tax dollars at work. Thanks Mr. Mineta!

 

[Huck]

Does this atmosphere remind anyone else of the book "Catch-22"?

"Yossarian sat and watched his fellow pilots as they stripped for the security guards. The guards were highly trained and invincible, as shown by their intense searches. They looked behind every pilot's belt buckle; they felt the undersides of pilots' feet. They questioned each pilot as to his background, religious affiliation and political leanings. The pilots sheepishly offered their socks and wallets to the x-ray machine. They did not mention the cockpit crash-axe, for weapons were not allowed on aircraft, therefore the crash-axes must not really be there. After balancing on one bare foot and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance backwards, they were allowed to proceed to the aircraft, grateful for the recent cessation of the rectal probe portion of the screening...."

 

[1900laker]

You guys are barking up the wrong tree. The new TSA screeners are doing what they were told to do and nothing more. They do not make the rules. They simply follow them. They have been told to look through your wallet only if you set off the walk through metal detector. It isn't done to hurt your feelings or belittle you. They want to ensure the people on the aircraft are safe. Believe it or not, people do carry credit card knives in their wallets. I'm sure they could care less how much $$ you are carrying.

As for flight crew members being picked for continious screening, it won't happen with the TSA. It is against their policy. You will only be wanded if you set off the metal detector.

Since you think I'm wrong then explain to me how this happened while at the gate? I wasn't going through a metal detector, and nothing in my wallet set off the magnetic wand? He merely commented on the bulge in my back pocket, and said he needed to search through my wallet's contents. Why was I being searched at the gate? Because I was designated by the computer as a selectee for screening. Why? Because the computer detected that I was a standby passenger who didn't book a round trip more than twenty-four hours in advance with a major credit card. When you jumpseat on certain airlines, as I must to get to my domicile city about 4-5 times a month, many of those airlines require you to phone in ahead and list for non-revenue travel now that cockpit jumpseats are offlimits for all OALs. By doing so, per their procedures, the computer auto flags you, and you get the body cavity search at the gate.

You really should spend some more time observing what goes on in the terminal before you post such glaring innaccuracies. Please tell me that you do know that people are getting wanded at the gate as selectees! And as a military officer, I don't get my feelings hurt, but I do sense when leadership is absent. And in the kind of work I do in the military, believe me, I know what kinds of things can and are being carried on board probably every day without detection.

I do agree that universal access is the key to solving these problems. I also agree that the purpose of this security screening is to add another layer of protection to our skies. That's why I am trying to make the point that when I get selected 75% of the time I am jumpseating, per the computer, Security resources are being wasted on me, and many other commuting flight crew members, instead of devoting that additional time to other "risks".

And one last thing, if the guy screening me cares less about how much money I have in my wallet, then let him keep his freaking mouth shut and keep it professional while he is screening. They haven't added partitions at the gates for their own benefit; they have done it for privacy. If as a selectee, I am supposed to be able to have some privacy while my bags are screened, then I would assume that voicing a joke about the contents of my wallet, within earshot of other passengers, would cross that privacy line.

 

[cjh]

While these people will be impossible to get fired now that they are federal employees, their possible promotions might be affected in this manner, and while their buddies get to step up to making 60 grand a year, these idiots will be stuck making 35 for their career.

You are obviously not aware of the "screw up and move up" policy that dominates government service. All you will be doing is assuring those individuals become supervisors and managers. They will set policy, hire their friends and relatives, and establish yet another solidly entrenched branch of "service" feeding off our tax dollars.

I do appreciate your thought, though.

 

[JetProp]

"...I would assume that voicing a joke about the contents of my wallet, within earshot of other passengers, would cross that privacy line..."

I agree, I have an issue with a screener having access to sensitive info such as, credit card #'s, driver license info, and SS#'s. Also, mentioning how much money a passenger has is nobody's business.

I overheard a screener "joke" with a passenger about having "guns or knives." Imagine if you or me "joked" in such a manner, the average joe would be arrested on the spot.

The screeners must be held to a higher standard of professionalism.

 

[katanabob]

While flying Delta (nonrev) down for an interview with ASA last week, I was selected TWICE for 'random' searching. During the second search, my shave kit was emptied with the rest of my suitcase's contents into a large plastic bin, after which it was pawed through by several screeners and poured back into my suitcase. Apparently you aren't allowed to help them repack, so my interview suit was crammed into one corner and the other pressed items which had previously been nice and flat were crammed elsewhere.
It gets better though, folks. A can of shaving cream didn't make it into the shave kit again, and was crammed in a wad of clean clothes, such that upon closing the suitcase, the dispensing button was depressed. Unbeknownst to me, during the hourlong ride to ATL, my suitcase was filling with shaving cream. Upon arrival at my hotel, I realized that the only items not a pale green color and minty fresh scent (and sticky, messy consistency) were those which had been encased in dry-cleaning bags. (and crumpled into the corners) My logbooks, all the papers I brought, EVERYTHING was hosed. I dried my logs out, but they were sealed shut by the stickiness, so I resorted to soaking them in the tub, then drying again. Most of the ink is gone, but they are somewhat legible under the right light.
If anything has reinforced my faith in General Aviation and Driving, this is it.
-charlie

 

[1900laker]

Ok, suddenly I don't feel as bad about my flashlight anymore, jeez. How did the interview go?

 

[EagleRJ]

Katanabob, I think you have the unfortunate distinction of winning the Worst Screening Experience award! My condolences! Hopefully the interviewers were understanding. I'm sure they are aware of what is going on at the checkpoints.

 

[cjh]

Originally posted by katanabob If anything has reinforced my faith in General Aviation and Driving, this is it.
-charlie

Part 91 is ALL I've flown since 911, and all I intend to fly. It's not a fear thing, it's a no-hassle thing. I'm fortunate to own my own aircraft, and regardless of whataever extra time is involved, it's sooooo nice to go when I want to, where I want to, how I want to, and all without taking my shoes off once!

cj

 

[chawbein]

KatanaBob,

Sue them, sue the living sh!t out of them!!!! Make the biggest public stink about it that you can. That sh!t pisses me off!! My heart sank the day they announced that security screeners would be federal employees. The stupidest decision that was ever made.

 

[RichardFitzwell]

You really should spend some more time observing what goes on in the terminal before you post such glaring innaccuracies. Please tell me that you do know that people are getting wanded at the gate as selectees! And as a military officer, I don't get my feelings hurt, but I do sense when leadership is absent. And in the kind of work I do in the military, believe me, I know what kinds of things can and are being carried on board probably every day without detection.

1900laker,

You crack me up.

I flew B737s for a major airline until October 1, 2001 when I was furloughed. Since then I have been flying a Falcon Jet in 135 ops. and recently I started working for the TSA as a supervisor screener.

You see, the TSA gave preference to people with prior military law enforcement experience and to furloughed airline pilots. Ninety percent of the people I work with fall into one of these two categories.

Though I will not go into detail about TSA policy with you on a public forum, I will say you are incorrect in many of your assumptions. Now please tell me how it is...


BTW -- katanabob, I am sorry you had a bad experience and I hope the interview went o.k.

 

[katanabob]

I am optimistic that the interview went well. Now I try to lead a normal life, amidst my running to the mailbox every 20 minutes to see if a letter has arrived or not. If I get a job, I will rediscover religion.
I would have pressed the issue (and complained like hell hath no fury) but the last thing I want to do is make a big stink and have it cost me the job. I know the screeners aren't employed by Delta, but I have a very bad feeling about making waves. Call me a wimp, but it was dumb luck for me to even get an interview.
-charlie

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"Life's hard, but it's harder when you're stupid." -John Wayne