"American Flyers" at DFW; TSA

[Gorilla]

So there I am dragging my crap thru the terminal D TSA security point. Behind me is a dude in a uniform with a set of two-stripe epaulettes. He looked clean, scrubbed, nervous, and about 21 years old. I thought "Must be a foreign carrier's FA or something." Then, I noticed he had a cheap vinyl bag with "American Flyers" printed on it.

As we go through the magnetometer, I show my ID to the lady like I've done every time I've shown up to fly. Then, as the kid goes through, they ask him for an ID.

He has a deer-in-the-headlights look, and then begins to dig through his wallet. He comes up with a cheap-looking plastic ID. They wave him right on through as "crew."

I'm really suspicious now. What crew member doesn't know they need an ID to get through security? Unfortunately I'm late for sign-in. I hustle to a computer, sign in, then go back to the checkpoint. I ask to talk to the TSA supervisor. I then described what I saw, and asked "What business does 'American Flyer' have at DFW on the secure side without a boarding pass?"

"Aren't they a carrier?" He asks. "No. You just let a guy through with a mail-order uniform and God-knows what sort of ID."

He thanked me, promised to look into it.

Now my question for the esteemed assemblage - what business DOES American Flyer have at DFW that requires an unescorted guy in a costume to be wandering around on the secure side? This angers me. We pay those clowns at the TSA good money, and this episode just proved to me that you can get through with stuff you can order through the mail. What gives?

 

[skypine69]

Oh....I see your problem....you think the TSA actually keeps us safe.

I am sure he was going to see some cool jets and write down the tail numbers to pad his logbook!!!

happy festivus

 

[Max Powers]

Keep up the good work Gorilla.......You deserve the american service medal......let me guess your the guy who sits at the cockpit door looking for people that aren't white.

 

[75M]

Gorilla...I admire your attention to detail and concern. IMO, the sad truth is that, as the last line of defense, it's up to us. The TSA is just Liberal Republican welfare and is all for show.

 

[Max Powers]

Your right 75M its all up to you.....now get out to the terminal and find me some terrorists. YEHAAAAA boy this is just like freaking NAM.

 

[75M]

Your right 75M its all up to you.....now get out to the terminal and find me some terrorists. YEHAAAAA boy this is just like freaking NAM

Max...I know everybody says this, but I actually laughed out loud at that.

Cheers!

 

[satpak77]

Keep up the good work Gorilla.......You deserve the american service medal......let me guess your the guy who sits at the cockpit door looking for people that aren't white.

actually Gorilla has a good point, this is actually a legit security issue

 

[eaglefly]

I agree it was a good and valient effort.

Sadly, the character you reported it to is most likely a convicted felon.

 

[T-prop]

So, who still thinks that "airline crew members" should be allowed to bypass security entirely?

 

[737 Pylt]

Your right 75M its all up to you.....now get out to the terminal and find me some terrorists. YEHAAAAA boy this is just like freaking NAM.

Max:
Did your parents have any children that lived?:laugh:
What a goon!

737

 

[JetDude]

..."What business does 'American Flyer' have at DFW...quote]

Didn't American Flyer make the red wagons we all "flew" when we were 5 years old?:laugh:

 

[CesnaCaptn]

So, who still thinks that "airline crew members" should be allowed to bypass security entirely?

If this guy's ID was checked against a known database of pilots like CASS, then he would never have made it through.

 

[crxpilot]

I think you may be assuming too much. He didnt show you his id, how do you know who or what he is?

 

[Gorilla]

Max - you're an idiot. It is a valid security issue. While TSA is molesting granny in a wheelchair, an able-bodied young man gets waived through as "crew" with suspect ID.

crxpilot - He may very well have been authorized, but several things jump out, the biggest of them being the obvious ability to get through the checkpoint with mail-order equipment and a fake ID. They BARELY glanced at it. My issue is not with the American Flyers guy, it is with the TSA. Ultimately, it comes down to the definition of "crew." They were unable to tell me just who is crew and who isn't.

Crew is exempted from the liquids limitation. What if the guy was bringing explosives into the airport? Now is not the time to relax your guard. That's what the bad guys are waiting for.

 

[Max Powers]

Max - you're an idiot. It is a valid security issue. While TSA is molesting granny in a wheelchair, an able-bodied young man gets waived through as "crew" with suspect ID.

crxpilot - He may very well have been authorized, but several things jump out, the biggest of them being the obvious ability to get through the checkpoint with mail-order equipment and a fake ID. They BARELY glanced at it. My issue is not with the American Flyers guy, it is with the TSA. Ultimately, it comes down to the definition of "crew." They were unable to tell me just who is crew and who isn't.

Crew is exempted from the liquids limitation. What if the guy was bringing explosives into the airport? Now is not the time to relax your guard. That's what the bad guys are waiting for.

Excuse me for being an idiot on this wonderful of all days.....But to your points......1. Aren't your uniforms mail order? I know I got mine in the mail. 2nd anyone could strap 5-10 gallons of liquid to their thighs and walk through security, why does having a uniform on make him more scary?

Let me be more illustrative on my point without all the sarcasm.....WE ARE VULNERABLE!!!!!! Paranoia will not cure this vulnerability; only common sense will help to mitigate the dangers. We live in a free society which means we need to accept a level of risk. You are right in your assesment but who cares IMHO airport security isn't even a last line of defense it's a complete waste - we should spend our resources elsewhere to further cut the risk of a terrorist strike. Over 75 percent of all illegal weapons make it through check points on FAA inspections and thats when the TSA know they are coming.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL.