Trans. Security Agency (TSA) problems

[Noam]

Hi,

I'm an FAR 121 airline pilot. I was under the impression that a valid FAR 121 airline ID is enough to get through security at any airport to get a jumpseat pass at the gate.

However, I was recently harassed/embarassed by a TSA manager that refused to let me through the security checkpoint.

Does anyone have any documentation on TSA's current policy? I looked on their webpage but can't find the page anymore where it says an airline employee commuting to work can go through security with an airline badge.

The complaints and letters are coming.

Thanks,

Noam

 

[XGmaninGA]

Were you in uniform? If you were, you should have had no problem. If you weren't, that ID probably wouldn't help much.

 

[TurboS7]

Every airport is run like its own little police state. Acutally the airport manager is the one who has the say and he gives the ruling to the TSA. I have been checked inside out and backwards everytime I went through security the last 5 days, in and out of uniform. "Just strip me and let me go......."

 

[vclean]

I have found that TSA doesn't recognize some airline id's if you try to commute at an airport your company doesn't have operations.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Makes me wonder, sometimes, why they issue ID's anyway.

(Don't lecture me...I know the reason. It's just frustrating.)

 

[jtf]

Like the above message said, it depends on the airport. Now I always ask TSA employees at the particular airport on my way out after arriving at a new place I hadn't jumped to before. That way I know how early I have to arrive when I leave (I know if I will have to stand in line to get a boarding pass or if I can just go straight to security). I have also found that I haven't had any problems getting through security with the airline ID while not in uniform at those airports that don't require a boarding pass for airline employees to get through security.

 

[jackofdiamonds]

I have one better for you. I commute out of an airport that my airlines does not serve. There is a security check point at every concourse. (bad design of airport) and the procedure is different at every checkpoint. Bottom line just go with the flow. What ever they want just give it to them. It makes them feel important.

 

[Buzo]

The airline I fly for only operates in Alaska. I commute from Seattle and have jumped to a couple of other places. We only recently started wearing uniforms, so before all I had was my id. I have never had to show my company id though. My SIDA id has gotten me through everywhere I have gone without any problems.

 

[TurboS7]

I thought a flannel shirt, jeans and a baseball cap was a uniform.

 

[FL000]

I've had no problem going through any airport security checkpoint with civvies and my ATL badge/ASA ID.

 

[Buzo]

I thought a flannel shirt, jeans and a baseball cap was a uniform.

That actually is our uniform most of the time. When we fly out of Nome and our freighter we don't have to wear one.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Question: I've gone to the airport a couple of times to visit the chief pilots office with one of my sons in tow. Never had a problem since my SIDA badge works just fine whether I'm in uniform or not. However, my wife has to get a special pass from the Delta ticket counter to be escorted into the airport by me.

Is there an age limit on how much of a threat you are? I mean, at what point does my son have to have this magic TSA pass to visit my workplace?

 

[TurboS7]

When his shoe is big enough to hide toe nail clippers in it.

 

[Floyd94]

Every airport is run like its own little police state. Acutally the airport manager is the one who has the say and he gives the ruling to the TSA.

Sorry folks, but the airport manager has nothing to do with TSA... The Airport Authority and TSA are two completely different groups. TSA is a federal agency, usually the Airport Authority is a regionaly run agency.

Also, Ive never had problems getting through security out of uniform with just my badge... I would say that manager needs to be reported to the TSA airport facility director. He clearly was wrong not letting you through if indeed you had a valid 121 ID badge.

 

[flewa72]

Our credit union branch is beyond security at DFW (my wife still works for an airline, sigh) and up until a couple of weeks ago all I ever did was show a deposit slip, statement and drivers license and they let me through.

A couple weeks ago the TSA guy says no dice you need a ticket. I tell him I've been doing this for two years-get a supervisor and he says no and basically called me a liar. So I just went to the self-serve kiosk, stood around for a couple minutes and went to the next security checkpoint where that screener just waved me through. When I came out after making the deposit the first guy was looking all over trying to figure out where I went. I was tempted to stop and show him my deposit slip but figured that would be pushing my luck.

Bottom line: just try a different security checkpoint if it's available. Chances are your results will be different.