Check Badges!!!

[OPECJet]

I was on the ramp the other day and approached by a person not displaying a badge. She asked a few questions, and before I felt like I had a chance to ask her for ID, she chastized me for not challenging her. I fully intended to do so, but didn't want to be a prick by interrupting. Turned out she was TSA.

Long story short, I should have interrupted her and asked for an ID immediately. Don't do what I did. Ask immediately if you see someone on the ramp who doesn't look like they should be there. Don't give them the chance to set the trap I fell in to.

I don't know what, if anything wil become of this, but I think legal action is a possibility if they choose to pursue it. I had to fill out an incident report, and call the CP to self disclose. Save yourself the trouble and challenge anyone who doesn't belong. Tackle if they're TSA....

 

[Oakum_Boy]

I've seen this before. You have to challenge right away. I think it was a company person who did it to me.

 

[Flooder305]

Tell them to get bent dude... Common courtesy still applies to your co-workers... and 99.9% of the time it's not someone trying to justify their job.

Focker OUT!

 

[91100 100 set]

Lousy trick, but I've seen it before.

A few years ago, sitting at Gate 1B at the USAirways gates in LGA, we were boarding up our people, getting ready to go. For those of you familiar with that operation, or probably most regional operations (several planes at each gate, often boarding and/or deplaning more than flight at one time, with often only one gate agent to herd people in the right direction), it's often chaos, people heading towards the wrong plane, or not being able to find the stairs up the jetway, etc.

I just happened to be looking at the door in the corner of the building, on the ground floor, when some guy in a business clothes just strolls out (not from the usual boarding doorway). No ID visible, he could have very easily blended right in with the passengers. So I casually point it out to the captain, he points it out to the gate agent through the cockpit window, and she challenges him. Turns out he was FAA and was doing just what your TSA person was doing. But in this case, he only got about 15 feet from the door before he got stopped, but it was just pure dumb luck I happened to be looking at the door when he came out.

 

[rumpletumbler]

If they are gurls normally I throw them to the ground and sit on their back, rip their pants off while screaming "ID CHECK" Once I have a visual then I whip out my handy 'TSA vaginal comparison chart' which is kind of like one of those airplane silhouette charts they used in WWII. If there is a positive match then I release them and thank them for a job well done.

If its a guy then I just start speaking in tongues and run across the ramp doing a ballerina twirl every 20 ft or so until I can duck under a baggage cart.

 

[210FR8DOG]

OPECJet- that really sucks dude. I'm kinda quiet and reserved and I would have handled that situation the exact same way. Thanks for the heads up on that.

 

[pianoman]

We used to have a program up in EWR where the Port Authority guys would do that. If you busted them they'd give you a $50 check. Actually got one once.

 

[OPECJet]

No problem. Just wanted to spread the word that they are out there turning tricks... err... playing tricks.....

 

[chrisdahut24]

This really pisses me off. While I agree we should all be vigilant, it's not your job to make sure people who aren't supposed to be on the ramp don't get or stay there- it's the TSA's job. This may come as a complete shock to them, but, we aren't the security guards....they are. Heres an idea for them....they obviously have the manpower to spare to send someone walking around trying to bust those not doing anything wrong. How about she just walk around actively looking for people who aren't wearing ID's herself and let the rest of us worry about doing our own jobs? God knows they have enough people standing around those security checkpoints doing nothing all day.

If I was in the same position, I would expect maybe a small lecture on the importance of remaining vigilant and how security if everyones job etc... But to go ahead and write a report and cause trouble over this is BS.

 

[Capn Lucky]

Here's what you do... use your cell phone to call 911 before approaching the person. Tell law enforcement that you believe that there is an armed individual on the ramp with no id. That'll put a stop to these BS tests.

 

[Flying Illini]

this is some BS. You should have chastised her for not giving you a chance to ask for ID (sounds like she was out to bust someone...a powertrip). Explain that you didn't want to be a dick and that common courtesy still applies to people. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but before you ask anymore questions, I need to see some identification." is a lot better than cutting someone off and saying, " I NEED TO SEE SOME ID, NOW!" Tell her to get a life and stop trying to ruin your life.
What legal action could come of this?! You didn't answer any security questions so what are they going to do? "umm, yes, this pilot wasn't doing the TSA's job for them, you should throw him in jail!"

Shoot, the other day at podunk airport, USA I was talking to a father and son (12 yrs old) for 30 minutes. Just about flying and the like. The dad always wanted to fly but could never afford it when he had the free time and now with a kid, he was reluctant to spend that much on pleasure for himself. His son however, was very interested in flying...yada yada yada. I took them both out to sit in the airplane. They were both very appreciative. They could have been TSA operatives...I guess I shouldn't try to share the joy of aviation with anyone anymore. GRRR! Now I'm all worked up.

 

[Flying Illini]

Here's what you do... use your cell phone to call 911 before approaching the person. Tell law enforcement that you believe that there is an armed individual on the ramp with no id. That'll put a stop to these BS tests.

man, that would be so funny! I would love to see that!

 

[Jetsetter]

If you were an FFDO, you could have stuck your .40 in her face and then asked for ID. She would have been too busy getting clean panties to bust your balls.

 

[V-STALL]

I fully intended to do so, but didn't want to be a prick by interrupting. Turned out she was TSA.

TSA- they have nothing better to do than harass us, and distract us from our duties!

 

[wmuflyguy]

Next time tell her to hold on for a second, call the airport police and tell them that she was intentionaly sneaking around the ramp and purposely hiding her ID. Push to have her taken to the police station and given the special terrorist treatment

 

[mamba20]

Next time ask him or her if their trailer is as secured as the ramp.

 

[TIS]

Calling the cops about the "armed individual" may seem like a cool idea but I wouldn't mess around like that.

I see two ways of handling this. One: Ask, "Are you with the TSA? Because that would explain why you're not wearing your ID properly as you KNOW you should be in order to be here talking to me."

Two: "Ma'am, I'm very busy at the moment and I don't have tiime to do anything but tell you to put your SIDA badge where I can plainly see it as the law requires."

As you say either of these things, get out your cell phone and start dialing - the airport police if you know the number - but start dialing something.

The TSA and the FAA are not fooling around with this stuff! Be rude and impatient with them - there's really no reason to be polite AT ALL! Stick it to 'em! Lord knows that's EXACTLY what they'll do to you if you don't do it first.

TIS

 

[bafanguy]

The TSA and the FAA are not fooling around with this stuff! Be rude and impatient with them - there's really no reason to be polite AT ALL! Stick it to 'em! Lord knows that's EXACTLY what they'll do to you if you don't do it first.

TIS

TIS,

You have put it exactly as it needs to be said. They started their day intending to nail YOU with their little scam. There is a 99% chance that when you see someone on the ramp without visible ID, it's one of these government pencil monkeys trying to nail YOU.

Immediately get up in their face with threats to call the cops...turn their game around on THEM...dog them until until they show ID...don't leave them alone...be physically threatening...call rampers over to surround them.

They would hang YOU in a heartbeat...that's what they came to work today to do. And you are going to be polite ? If intimidation is good enough for them, it's good enough for you.

Polite ??? You must be kidding.

 

[Erlanger]

Badges!, We don't need no stinking badges!

 

[Wankel7]

If they are gurls normally I throw them to the ground and sit on their back, rip their pants off while screaming "ID CHECK" Once I have a visual then I whip out my handy 'TSA vaginal comparison chart' which is kind of like one of those airplane silhouette charts they used in WWII. If there is a positive match then I release them and thank them for a job well done.

If its a guy then I just start speaking in tongues and run across the ramp doing a ballerina twirl every 20 ft or so until I can duck under a baggage cart.

LOL, that owns