TSA and the boarding pass

[Cmdr Taggart]

I was commuting into work this afternoon from San Diego on AA as an off line jumpseater, which I have done 30 or so times in the last year. I was not in uniform and as I proceeded to the screening line the TAS agent said they did not know if they were allow pilots through without a boarding pass and that she need her supervisor. Well her supervisor came up and I said I was jumpseating on AA and I showed her my ID and she said she needs to ask her suprvisior if I could get through without a boarding pass. I told her I was running late and that my flight closed in 20 min and I need to get through. Well 10 min later after the third supervisor was asked I was told to get a ticket. Well a long ticket line wait later and I get my boarding pass, wait in the screening line again only to get additional screening. All said in done I missed my flight.

What is everybody else doing to avoid this issue, are you wearing your uniform to compute in? Most of the airports I go through I have no problem like PHX, PIT, PHL and SAN until today. Is this boarding pass rule system wide?

 

[SDdriver]

Wear your uniform

SD

 

[Brother Francis]

Wear your uniform

Or get the boarding pass in advance.

What a load of crap. The terrorists have accomplished their mission.

 

[SpiderMan]

Yeah Im sure their main goal was to force jumpseaters to get a boarding pass.

 

[merikeyegro]

...

Uh, lighten up, schmucko. I think he was talking about how bin Laden and his cronies ran a few planes into the ground and now everyone in the government is afraid of his own shadow. I got an idea! Let's make every citizen's life a living hell at the airport! Of course, that's a great idea, considering that al Qaeda is going to do the EXACT same thing again...

That's why this guy is pissed. The TSA, with their heads right up their asses, is making honest, hard-working-for-little-money pilots jump through hoops for no reason other than some guy at the top said to look for suspcioius activity. So, let's pick on the pilots. Not to mention there is no standardization across this country for the Gestapo.

I understand his pain. Bin Laden was not out to make jumpseating harder. Shrub, better known as GWB Jr., said that the terrorists would not "change our way of life." We have begun to target our own citizens, take away pilot's licenses for suspicion of terrorism, hamper our own country's productivity, discourage free speech, limit freedom of travel, etc. Oh yeah, the government is grasping at straws by using the USA PATRIOT Act to surveil you, me, and the rest of the lot day in and out. He's basically saying that, whether or not you admit it, bin Laden and his buddies changed our way of life by making America un-American. Learn it soon, lest you unwittingly support those who enjoy their newfound power over you.

This is why GWB and his crew must go. But, hey. At least we have a national no-call list...

 

[jarhead]

merikeyegro

I can only speak to my personal experience as a non-rev pax, but I have found the TSA people who have screened me, to be quite civil in their demeanor, and on occasion, my wife has been asked to remove her shoes for X-ray, as the steel shank tripped the metal detectors. I do not find this to be unreasonable, given the Brit, Richard Reed's attempt to blow up an airliner with a shoe bomb. Granted, with all the people who frequent this board, I am certain that many have run into an occasional AH who was having a bad day, and wanted to vent on his 'prey'. That can happen with a traffic cop, or anyone in the position of authority. I would suggest that the proper way to handle such events, would be to follow up with letters or emails and phone calls, to the proper authority, rather than politisize the event with a personnel attack on the President of the United States. I don't care who the president would be, one cannot stop all incompetent people from making stupid decisions. I suppose it was the presidents fault (pick any administation going back many years) that a pilot flying drunk, somehow is the fault of the president. Give me a break....please!

 

[Brother Francis]

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away.

--"For What it's Worth" Stephen Stills, 1966

 

[Tim47SIP]

Whats the problem?

Iv'e been jumpseating for a few years and when a boarding pass became a requirement to get into the secured area, I simply went to the ticket counter and got a jumpseat form filled out and then went through with out incidence. This seems to me to be a no brainer. You might have gotten in those 30 times before, but the rules are that you need a boarding pass, jumpseat form or be on the dispatch sheet (if it is not your current base of assignemnt) to get into the secure area unless a differnt set up for crews has been implimented at that airport. I personally didnt think TSA could even let you through without the boarding pass unless you had a SIDA badge (whether in uniform or not) for the airport you are assigned. Anyway, I think they did the right thing here but I do understand the frustrations with the security hassels.

 

[metrodriver]

I had my encounter with these idiots this week. When I'm exactly halfway through the detector they tell me to take off my shoes. The detector starts to scream at the same time. So grandpa tells me to sit down and raise my legs so he can pull the wand around my legs (got to lift them legs higher!, higher!). Then I have to stand on a little mat with footprints and oh my if your foot is not exactly on that thing. So now he can wand the rest of me above the knees. You got to loosen your (tiny) beltbuckle. In the meantime my bag and plastic box with my wallet with creditcards, passport, driver license, pilot license, medical and money is set on top a cabinet for everybody walking by in the terminal to grab it, and they won't let you get it anywhere near you. If you want to get rid of your posessions, go see the TSA.
So on my way back from the east coast I tell them I suspect metal in my shoes, so from a distance I stick my foot through the detector to see if it would go off. Sure enough. So I want to take my shoes off and put them through the X-ray and now they tell me they have to wand me down since the alarm rang and I can keep my shoes on till I'm seated for the same procedure as in DFW. So after I get through I visit the bookstore, and to my surprise they sold everything the TSA deems inappropriate to be in your carry-on baggabe like sewing needles, safety needles, nail clippers, cissors, razors. The lady behind the counter told me that they had those products since before 9/11, and people came there to buy the stuff TSA had just stolen from them.
My shoes have been TSA proofed immediately after I came home.
All I need now is a TSA proof belt buckle, maybe I'll go with those plastic clips you see on luggage and backpacks, will not look professional but hey, what do I care

 

[merikeyegro]

...

Jarhead-

I have written many letters already and have received responses from Adm. Loy, Rep. Mica, and Sen. Nelson. Not that anything has changed, but I've at least tried.

I believe Bush is not directly at fault for anything at the TSA, but he and his crew incite fear in everyday Americans that know no better. They vote these creeps into power.

Whoever wrote the next post-

I believe "For What It's Worth" was written by Buffalo Springfield. If Stephen Stills was the writer for that band, I stand corrected

 

[Freight Dog]

I had the same problem in SAN when jumpseating on Delta instead I was actually pulled out of the line at a ticket counter by a Delta CSA and told that as a jumpseater I can just show my set of ID's at the security and don't need a jumpseat form to get thru.

Well, I got there, and the TSA Nazis got all over me for not having a ticket. I showed them the ID to no avail. They sent me back to the counter. Now the Delta CSA was irritated with me why was I back? I told her TSA Nazis turned me back to get a jumpseat slip. This CSA was persistent with me... you don't need a slip, just go. I say, ma'am, I was just told by the TSA that I need a slip to get through security or else I'll miss my flight. Now this CSA gets lippy with me: "If you don't lose the attitude, you're not going anywhere." I was gonna get her name and employee number and talk to her supervisor because i was nothing but pleasant with her, but figured I just wanted to get on outta there.. Now, between the TSA nonsense, and this hag... it was a start of an interesting trip.

I got through...

Now in ATL later that day, catching an ASA flight, the TSA randomly pulls me at the gate for additional screening. I'm like.. WTFO? I thought they stopped random searches of airline employees at least. The guy didn't give a rat's... now I'm thinking OK, so if I argue with this guy whether I am exempt from random searches, I could be labeled as a "security risk" and there goes my livelihood...

So now a few days later, I go to LAS. On the way out, I show my ID's at the security and go right through. Now I'm back in SAN catching a flight back to HNL on Hawaiian, and I go right through security at a different checkpoint with just my ID.

Do these guys make up rules as they go? Whatever happened to checks-and-balances when it comes to TSA?

I used to commute, but man... I couldn't deal with this clusterf... on a regular basis.

 

[njcapt]

Do these guys make up rules as they go? Whatever happened to checks-and-balances when it comes to TSA?

Sadly, yes. TSA in IND a couple of weeks ago told me I couldn't go through the magnetometer with a cup of frozen yogurt because it didn't have a cap on it. Think about that for a second. Now try to unscramble your brain - since the order makes absolutely no sense. They couldn't tell me why I needed a cap on my threatening cup of frozen yogurt, just that I couldn't go through security without one. W T F O.

Administrative agencies (IRS, FAA etc) are outside the normal checks and balances system, therefore the unlimited power. God help us.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Jarhead

Jarhead said, " I do not find this to be unreasonable, given the Brit, Richard Reed's attempt to blow up an airliner with a shoe bomb."

Good thing ol' Richard didnt keep the explosive in his jock-strap.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Sadly, yes. TSA in IND a couple of weeks ago told me I couldn't go through the magnetometer with a cup of frozen yogurt because it didn't have a cap on it. Think about that for a second. Now try to unscramble your brain - since the order makes absolutely no sense. They couldn't tell me why I needed a cap on my threatening cup of frozen yogurt, just that I couldn't go through security without one. W T F O.

Administrative agencies (IRS, FAA etc) are outside the normal checks and balances system, therefore the unlimited power. God help us.

nj, you bring up a valid concern. Makes me wonder if any these folks ever stop and think about what they're doing or do they just check their brains at the door? Seems like the guberment is taking it out on law abiding citizens. This is a bit of an overstatement, but it reminds me of the Germans doing the bidding of Hitler. Don't question anything, just do it...for the good of the country.

 

[flight-crew]

There is a security directive out that states an airline employee with a valid airline I.D. does not need a boarding pass to go through security.

I stress- IF THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ON THIS BOARD, IMMEDIATELY DOCUMENT THE SITUATION AND FOLLOW IT UP WITH A REPORT TO YOUR JUMPSEAT COORDINATOR! The first thing you should do is stick to your guns. Ask for a TSA supervisor. Inform him/her that they are not following procedure. Then gather names and employee numbers of everyone involved. Write all of that information down, including all the other details.

I was also informed that airline employees (whether in uniform or not in uniform) are exempt from random searches at the gate. If the TSA or the gate agent is attempting to have you go through a gate search, inform them about this. If they continue, document the whole situation.

We need to adopt a zero tolerance policy on this type of harrassment. I've had it happen to me multiple times and I am now documenting it.

 

[cessna_driver2]

There is a security directive out that states an airline employee with a valid airline I.D. does not need a boarding pass to go through security.

I stress- IF THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ON THIS BOARD, IMMEDIATELY DOCUMENT THE SITUATION AND FOLLOW IT UP WITH A REPORT TO YOUR JUMPSEAT COORDINATOR! The first thing you should do is stick to your guns. Ask for a TSA supervisor. Inform him/her that they are not following procedure. Then gather names and employee numbers of everyone involved. Write all of that information down, including all the other details.

I was also informed that airline employees (whether in uniform or not in uniform) are exempt from random searches at the gate. If the TSA or the gate agent is attempting to have you go through a gate search, inform them about this. If they continue, document the whole situation.

We need to adopt a zero tolerance policy on this type of harrassment. I've had it happen to me multiple times and I am now documenting it.

Sure as you write down names, numbers, etc; the TSA still will make you jump through their hoops and now you spend 30 - 45 minutes for something that should have taken only 10.


Now if more people speak up then maybe something will happen.

I was coming back from SFO and some guy in front of me was selected for security check. TSA said that the airline selected him for random check.

Anyone have info on this?

 

[HAZ-MAT]

Haz-Mat - 1
TSA - 0

The other night i was out with some buddies having a beer or 3, and there was this guy, probably in his early 30's kinda plump and dancing like Flash Dance... and he's the only guy on the floor, well we're watching him, laughing and all, well a few minutes another guy gets on the floor and they're dancing around, Techno music, so not grinding or anything, but just dancing near eachother... so its funny and all, and the next day i was jumping out.. and guess who is the TSA that asks me to take off my shoes and belt.... Mr. Suave himself!! So as i am standing on those feet matts, i look up, and said, your a pretty good dancer.. he looked up at me surprised, and just said, all right your all set have a good day... Couldnt stop laughing all day.

 

[jim'ne cricket]

Jumped yesterday in uniform from SAN to SMF yesterday on Southwest, and had to return to the ticket counter for a pass through security. I was running late, so I didn't stop to inquire. However, when I returned from SMF today (no pass required in SMF) I stopped and talked with Lieutenant TSA guy in SAN. He strongly denied that it was TSA's doing, that it was mandated from Southwest. Anybody know if this is true or not, it sounded like was he was trying to pass the buck. A lot of TSA blaming the airlines and airlines blaming the TSA. I would like more info to fight this dumb and inefficent policies. Thanks for any info, I plan on talking with my jumpseat coordinator as well. Later

 

[350DRIVER]

It is not system wide, and IF it is suppose to be then they are not doing a very good job. I use my 135 company photo ID and have had absolutely 0 (no) problems whatsoever in PIT and other airports. They look and that is about it, seems like lotsa people working the screening lines that should not be there.... I have had absolutely no questions asked about who I fly for, what is 135, where, etc, etc, etc, I guess they see photo, employee number, date of hire, etc, and that is enough...

Only problem I that I had was in IND last month and thanks to a contracted out agent I missed my flight back home. What a bonehead and then caused a confrontation, etc, etc, .. 30minutes later after standing in line to get a pass I then proceeded through and ended up missing my flight. Of all the "problem" airports it sure seems that there are plenty of ego maniacs in IND so needless to say we didn't quite click.

go figure

3 5 0

 

[Saabslime]

TSA: Take your Shoes off A-sshole