TSA procedures: orange tape

[Typhoon1244]

In three different airports now, I've seen certain passengers being escorted through security with all their belongings in those same gray plastic tubs but outlined with orange tape.

What's that all about?

 

[Skygod]

I could tell you . . . but then I'd have to shoot you!

 

[MarriedToIt]

Special Bin Ranting

Every time I non-reved through DAB this summer, I got tagged for a "special" security screening. My carry-ons go in special taped bins to be hand picked through. Any pair of shoes in my luggage must be swabbed and analyzed. The first time, I asked for a private screening. It was bellowed across the security area several times that I had requested "the special screening." The two pilots behind me just laughed. I just didn't want my laundry on display for everyone waiting in line. I was hoping for one of those desks with a divider they used to use. Instead, I was escorted behind a dark curtained area by two, yes two, TSA professionals to pick through my one carry-on bag and was wanded. They were especially interested in my make-up. A third professional was in charge of the shoe swabbing.

Went through a second time, this time with the other half. We were both selected for the "special screening." They told us that we were selected by the airline. I didn't ask for the private screen this time and she opened my suitcase at the end of the conveyor belt and pulled 1/2 my laundry out, again mesmerized by mascara. When she saw the husband's airline i.d. (he wasn't in uniform) she apologized several times to him and said "he" should not have to go through this as he was a pilot.

I don't know, I must have gone through ATL 10 times this summer and never once got the "special screening". I would just like to know if this is just a small airport thing and if it's so important, why don't they do it at all of them?

 

[kabz]

Got through IAH and LAX with my flight bag with my headsets and my E6-B not getting a second look. That kinda surprised me.

Not taking my shoes off got me the full treatment at LAX though.

Mind you, the E6-B is only dangerous when I flight plan with it ...

 

[njcapt]

Re: Special Bin Ranting

... I was escorted behind a dark curtained area by two, yes two, TSA professionals to pick through my one carry-on bag and was wanded. They were especially interested in my make-up. A third professional was in charge of the shoe swabbing.

I have really tried not to be one of the posters who corrects everyone's spelling and grammar on the forum, but I can't help it in this case.

When referring to TSA personnel, quotation marks should surround the word professional, for example: I lack a vernacular knowledge of Ebonics, therefore I was unable to understand the TSA 'professional' at the ATL checkpoint.

Please, I'm kidding.

 

[Typhoon1244]

So...what, the orange tape denotes belongings of someone selected for additional screening? Why the escort? Why hustle them up in front of everyone else...including crewmembers?

 

[MarriedToIt]

Sorry

Mea culpa, njcapt.

 

[dgs]

Orange line

The orange line is the replacement to the last minute wanding and hand search before you board that we all had to endure only a few months ago. Airports that have this new "enhanced" screening also don't require IDs as you board. It is a huge improvement to do it when you first go through security instead of delaying the push for 20 people getting the TSA an*l probe. An airline crewmember in uniform with ID was exempted from the final screening in a policy letter in December. I'm not sure if that policy also extends to the orange line. Next time you might want to ask for a supervisor and ask him what the latest guidance says. Be nice and ask politely, or you'll be bendin' over!!!

 

[MetroSheriff]

What in the hell is an E6-B????

 

[Typhoon1244]

What in the hell is an E6-B????

It's in that gray box to the left of the gear handle...the one with the little T.V. screen and all the buttons.

 

[Flight_Line]

The TSA sure picks some funny things to be interested in. I went through security in ALB one day with my headsets, plates, maps, etc... But what got the most attention was the 2 slices of pizza (hey we got a good pizza place in ALB) I had wrapped up for lunch. Actually I might be on to something here. Bring food; get the "extra special" screening.

 

[Sunnfun]

But what got the most attention was the 2 slices of pizza

But you do know that Pizza can be dangerous, right?

Especially when the mushrooms start to grow again, so the TSA is actually looking out for you! You should thank them!



Cheers,
Sun'n Fun

 

[transienttorque]

Pilots are suspect. We might get into the cockpit. One of the TSA types told a friend of mine that the screening was to make sure no one had a weapon that they could use to gain access to the cockpit and take control of an airplane. Once I've pushed back and am spinning #2, has the TSA failed?

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

What in the hell is an E6-B????

That's a joke, right?

 

[Typhoon1244]

That's a joke, right?

I can assure you it is. Metro's old enough to remember the E2-B.

 

[ERAU_Girl]

help im stuck in selectee hell

So the orange tape, used mosltly in smaller airports, but beginning to pop-up in larger ones now, especially as having been said where they do 100% of screening at the check point means you are a selectee. Or as the TSA likes to call is "special." It means be prepared for an anal cavity search. If you happen to notice a *S* on your boarding pass in the lower right hand portion of the one the gate agent will take from you before boarding, and 4 little "s" on the bottom right hand side of the card you get to keep, it means you have been selected. Now the secret is, if you work for a "known air carrier" you are supposed to be exempt from this status. It will happen to you a lot when you jumpseat, because you dont have a reservation. Selectees are supposed to be random, but they arent so random, there are certain things that trigger it, the agents will tell you, its last minute buying of tickets, buying a one way ticket, and paying cash, any one or more of those three things can set it off, but so can other things, like long last names, and agents can designate people to be them. If you work for a known air carrier, and you see the "s" tell the agent, and they have something they can do to clear you from that status.... I think I have covered it all... Anything else?

 

[MarriedToIt]

From one ERAU girl to another ... thanks for the info.

 

[ERAU_Girl]

anytime! if you have anymore random TSA questions ill be more than happy to answer them... (I was a gate agent in a not so former, former life)