Commuting out of Uniform?

[Weasil]

So I was planning on commuting home tomorrow, have been in the sim so don't even have a uniform with me. Have you guys been having problems? Do you have to check all your bags now? Please share your experiences so myself and others know what to look forward to.

Thanks.

 

[gnx99]

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/threat-change.shtm

I guess carry-ons are fine, but they can't contain and fluids or gels.

 

[jstyle13]

I've gotta go down to ATL tommorrow and get my stupid SIDA badge renewed becuase I haven't had any time on any of my trips this month to do since it now takes about 2 hours. I'm not taking any bags and I don't plan on wearing my uniform...just business casual. I have a feeling it's going to be a huge pain in the ass trying to get through the checkpoint. Hopefully they will let me go through without any problems....will probably have to wait in the 1 hour line to get through instead of cutting to the front like I normally do....oh well. Anyone had any issues commuting home in/out of uniform?

 

[PunchTheClown]

For the time being I would do it all in uniform. Thats just me though. The less time spent being harassed by the TSA the better. Just so much easier you know? Your exempt from it all if your in uniform.

 

[cobalt]

i have the same question. our company message says "OPERATING FLIGHT CREWS IN UNIFORM ARE EXEMPT FROM THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY TSA ON LIQUIDS IN CARRYON LUGGAGE." so will being in uniform even help if I commute out of a city that my airline does not serve?

 

[John Pennekamp]

I would guess that TSA is now wise that crews will be trying to get through in uniform, while off duty. They may ask if you are on duty and ask to see a pairing. I got that after 9-11 several times.

I have also seen crews get extra scrutiny after a big panic like this, because TSA is suspicious of how crews move through the system. In their tiny, parenoid minds, WE could be the terrorists and do an inside job. This is why it would be bad if they found out you're not on duty and tried to get through.

 

[OCP]

I've gotta go down to ATL tommorrow and get my stupid SIDA badge renewed becuase I haven't had any time on any of my trips this month to do since it now takes about 2 hours. I'm not taking any bags and I don't plan on wearing my uniform...just business casual. I have a feeling it's going to be a huge pain in the ass trying to get through the checkpoint. Hopefully they will let me go through without any problems....will probably have to wait in the 1 hour line to get through instead of cutting to the front like I normally do....oh well. Anyone had any issues commuting home in/out of uniform?

Unless you are going to ops the SIDA area is outside security.

 

[Birddog]

I am more concerned about further carry-on restrictions. If commuters have to start checking bags it could prove to be a real problem.

 

[rjacobs]

I would guess that TSA is now wise that crews will be trying to get through in uniform, while off duty. They may ask if you are on duty and ask to see a pairing. I got that after 9-11 several times.

I have also seen crews get extra scrutiny after a big panic like this, because TSA is suspicious of how crews move through the system. In their tiny, parenoid minds, WE could be the terrorists and do an inside job. This is why it would be bad if they found out you're not on duty and tried to get through.

If they asked me for a pairing, I would show them the one that started the next day and say I was deadheading to work. If this becomes a big problem for commuters maybe your company, if they fly out of the airport you commute from, can put into your pairing a DH leg from that airport to your base. Just a thought if you have trouble getting through security on a commute. I think they do this for people who live internationally and commute to the USA, but I may be wrong on that.

 

[cobalt]

well i just read, and printed off the ALPA fast read email from yesterday... it says "uniformed flightcrew memebers have been exempted from the new screening protocols" so it doesn't say "working" etc, so hopefully ok for commuting. i just "love" commuting in uniform, but if i have to, oh well.

 

[cobalt]

I am more concerned about further carry-on restrictions. If commuters have to start checking bags it could prove to be a real problem.

i agree. i can slap on my uniform pretty easy if that makes them happy... but what about dependents trying to non-rev.. geez with 85% load factors out there kinda hard to check your bag if you don't know what flight you are gonna get on.

 

[John Pennekamp]

If they asked me for a pairing, I would show them the one that started the next day and say I was deadheading to work. If this becomes a big problem for commuters maybe your company, if they fly out of the airport you commute from, can put into your pairing a DH leg from that airport to your base. Just a thought if you have trouble getting through security on a commute. I think they do this for people who live internationally and commute to the USA, but I may be wrong on that.

Well I don't commute, but I doubt my company would do anything to help commuters. They have a clear past of telling commuters that they commute at their own risk. They fought tooth and nail for no commuter clause in negotiations.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

What about offline jumpseating too? What are we supposed to do with our bags if we are not even sure we can get on the flight?

 

[lowlycfi]

I commuted home from ORD yesterday. I went ahead a put my uniform on to avoid any hassles. There were a couple of UA ramp agents in line ahead of me and the screeners made them throw away their water and Gatorade bottles they had in their lunchboxes. No problems with my carryon, but the screener at the magnetometer made me take my shoes off. Hope that doesn't stay in effect.

 

[jstyle13]

Unless you are going to ops the SIDA area is outside security.

Yea...I don't live in ATL...so I've gotta catch a flight down to ATL, watch the video, go outside of security to the office, come back through so I can catch a flight home. Just a pain to get to get my dumb badge renewed. Gotta commute in on an off day.

 

[John Pennekamp]

Yea...I don't live in ATL...so I've gotta catch a flight down to ATL, watch the video, go outside of security to the office, come back through so I can catch a flight home. Just a pain to get to get my dumb badge renewed. Gotta commute in on an off day.

Keep in mind that the "cheese slicer" is also shut down, so when you leave security, you'll have to be re-screened. Good times.

 

[whatsitdoingnow]

Went to Jumpseat "out-of-uniform" yesterday from PDX-DEN and TSA won't let ANYBODY through a checkpoint unless they're in uniform with credentials or have a gate pass. Stood in line for little over an HOUR waiting to get a pass too get through. Anybody else having this problem? I wonder how my uniform, not my crew ID and pilots license, make the case that I'm a "real pilot" not some imposter that can buy a uniform and sneak through...

 

[ReverseSensing]

I am more concerned about further carry-on restrictions.

Aside from the issue of commuters/non-revs, I think there's going to be a ripple effect with pax carry-ons, at least for the weight restricted operators (Dash-8, 1900s, etc.). Carry-ons weigh nothing (included in pax weight), carry-outs (ala carte) weigh 19 lbs. (at QX), checked bags weigh 30 lbs. If a significant number of people start checking everything, we're going to "lose" some seats.

Also, does anyone know how the airports/airlines/TSA are dealing with all the "contraband" currently sold on the secure side? The TSA directive says no liquids on aircraft. Does that mean all those vendors selling bottled water, duty-free liquor, soft drinks, lattes, and on and on can still sell them, but that gate agents somehow have to re-screen everyone's carry-ons for "contraband liquids" before boarding? Can I no longer get a Starbucks in the terminal during a break and bring it aboard? Are all those vendors going to quit selling banned liquids?

I can understand TSA not wanting liquids brought through security, but if all the same stuff is sold in the terminal, and carry-outs/purses/briefcases are still allowed, how can they expect contraband not to be brought on the aircraft. There's no way to effectively screen for it once a pax is on the secure side of the terminal.

I wonder how many in-flight security incidents we're going to have because Grandma bought a bottle of water while she was waiting in the terminal, which she put in her carry-on, then brought out during the flight.

 

[SBD]

I have to commute from MCO to JFK or LGA tomorrow. I hate wearing the uniform while commuting. But if it means not to go through the problems of waiting in line for up to two hours it will be well worth it. Any MCO commuters out there to share their stories so far?

 

[EDUC8-or]

I wasn't hassled while in my uniform yesterday or this morning, believe it or not TSA was very helpful and they made sure we didn't wait in excessive lines. If you're commuting and your flight isn't a sure thing better do it in uniform so you don't have to check your bag and your Head N Shoulders and Crest don't end up where you're not.

 

[strega7]

I can understand TSA not wanting liquids brought through security, but if all the same stuff is sold in the terminal, and carry-outs/purses/briefcases are still allowed, how can they expect contraband not to be brought on the aircraft. There's no way to effectively screen for it once a pax is on the secure side of the terminal.

I can see that part changing once some program is in place to "secure" the stuff we can purchase inside of security. Nothing gets thur TSA at screening but beyond that, it will probably go back to normal.

 

[flyby]

Aside from the issue of commuters/non-revs, I think there's going to be a ripple effect with pax carry-ons, at least for the weight restricted operators (Dash-8, 1900s, etc.). Carry-ons weigh nothing (included in pax weight), carry-outs (ala carte) weigh 19 lbs. (at QX), checked bags weigh 30 lbs. If a significant number of people start checking everything, we're going to "lose" some seats.

Also, does anyone know how the airports/airlines/TSA are dealing with all the "contraband" currently sold on the secure side? The TSA directive says no liquids on aircraft. Does that mean all those vendors selling bottled water, duty-free liquor, soft drinks, lattes, and on and on can still sell them, but that gate agents somehow have to re-screen everyone's carry-ons for "contraband liquids" before boarding? Can I no longer get a Starbucks in the terminal during a break and bring it aboard? Are all those vendors going to quit selling banned liquids?

I can understand TSA not wanting liquids brought through security, but if all the same stuff is sold in the terminal, and carry-outs/purses/briefcases are still allowed, how can they expect contraband not to be brought on the aircraft. There's no way to effectively screen for it once a pax is on the secure side of the terminal.

I wonder how many in-flight security incidents we're going to have because Grandma bought a bottle of water while she was waiting in the terminal, which she put in her carry-on, then brought out during the flight.

This had me scratching my head also. You can buy all that stuff inside security but can't take it on the plane. But in order to be sure of that they'd have to put a TSA person at every gate to screen every passenger.

Somebody make sense of this for me. Why make them throw it out prior to entering the secure area then sell it back to them in the terminal... then post that they can't take it on the plane but not screen them again prior to boarding?

As far as the weight goes, the pax weight includes their carryon. If they ban carryons they should lower the pax weight. If there is some figure the FAA uses to represent the weight of a carryon then that average should be lowered and therefore the pax weight lowered. There should be far fewer carryons going forward.

 

[racers2207]

I commuted home last night and decided to wear my uniform so I didn't have to hassle with the TSA. They were very friendly and just waved me past the screening area at the gate. Everyone else was having their carry on bags searched by hand. I would just suck it up and wear the uniform.

 

[ceo_of_the_sofa]

They ban Gatorade, hair gel and Head & Shoulders because of what can be sneaked in "inside" the bottle. Stuff sold "inside" security has allready been screened.

 

[ReverseSensing]

They ban Gatorade, hair gel and Head & Shoulders because of what can be sneaked in "inside" the bottle. Stuff sold "inside" security has allready been screened.

We understand that, but if such items are banned from all aircraft, how is an airline employee supposed to distinguish between something that was purchased in the terminal, and is therefore safe, and something that "slipped" through security, and is therefore not safe.

All liquids are contraband on aircraft, according to the new rules. How can we have merchants selling "contraband" on the secure side of the terminal? Obviously, the reality is that the stuff sold on the secure side of the terminal is safe, but if that's the case, and everything "unsafe" was caught at screening, why ban liquids on flights? Because something might slip through? If something slips through, how is anyone supposed to be able to distinguish it from the "safe" stuff sold in the terminal?

Just another knee-jerk, over-reaction by the Taking Shampoo Away brainiacs. This "component bomb" crap has been a threat for years. I swear TSA is trying its best to ruin the airline industry, with these half-baked, ill-conceived precautions.

 

[flyby]

Just another knee-jerk, over-reaction by the Taking Shampoo Away brainiacs. This "component bomb" crap has been a threat for years. I swear TSA is trying its best to ruin the airline industry, with these half-baked, ill-conceived precautions.

That's funny stuff. Pretty soon I'll have to leave my mentos and diet coke at home. I think they're on to the baking soda/vinegar bomb.

Has anyone ever seen a smart TSA agent. Do they exist? I saw one in a brochure once.

 

[Wankel7]

Just from the news flash I caught on the evening news...appears as if they are restricting sales of prohibited items inside the secure area.

 

[relief tube]

What the hell about parents and wives trying to use their damn benefits!! I can't give her my uniform?

"Sorry honey, either don't bring anything and spend as much money on new crap that you could have bought a real ticket OR roll the dice and then not make it, while your stuff does."

There has to be a better way!

 

[ReportCanoa]

Stuff sold "inside" security has allready been screened.

Are they tasting every bottle of water that comes into the airport, and wanding all the muffins? Me thinks not.

The garbage TSA and the DHS are overblowing this event to make the president look like he is doing something. CNN and FOX have blown this thing into the stratosphere because it makes money.

Americans are paying to be terrorized by the government and the media. Think about it.

 

[fried chickens]

Commuted in today. I left my uniform at my crashpad so I had to do the biz-casual thing. I checked in at the counter (TSA won't let me go to security without a boarding pass) and saw SSSS on my slip. Ticket agent says they're not allowed to changed it except for their own people.

At the checkpoint I told them I was an airline pilot and they didn't have a problem with my overnite bag. I still had get massage by TSA though. Then at the gate TSA was checking everyone's bag again, just in case they don't trust themselves to do it right the first time. The guy saw my crewtag and let me go. I was suprised that they didn't give me a hard time.