TSA Security Experiences

[Paddy55]

Not sure what others are finding but I've had some very different experiences with TSA Security this month in the US and curious how others are finding it.

The new scanner and pat-down procedures are certainly getting attention in the national press and there's some pretty upset people about.

During my trip a year ago I went through LAX, SJC, DFW, BOS and JFK and, to be honest, the security seemed more like a jobs program than real security. Inconsistency abounded, many seemed more interested in following the process than on really detecting something, etc. For example, at JFK someone left a briefcase on the floor at a checkpoint, which I thought was a bit concerning, but the security person just dismissed this as 'people are doing that all the time' :shock::shock::shock: and was completely unconcerned.

This time things are different, very different.

The TSA folks act more professionally - quite thorough although it wasn't until this morning at JFK that I experienced 'the whole 9 yards'. Thanksgiving so very quiet morning, and my hand luggage was scanned, I went through one of those new fangled see-all scanners AND I was given a pat down that was, let's say quite personal... all in full view of the rest of the travelling public. Others seemed to be sharing some of the joy as well and the thing that struck me was that we all seemed to be middle aged, middle class WASPs. It ticked me off because it seemed so unnecessary - aren't they "profiling" these days and making better decisions about who to give the full treatment too? Or is there an element of showing the travelling public who's in charge?

Of course when they dropped my hand luggage, spilled it all over the joint and had a good laugh about it - well it just rubbed salt into the wound.

Anyway, anyone else having the same sort of experience, and if so what are your thoughts?


P*ssed of Paddy :evil:

 

[Ewing]

I am not a seasoned US domestic traveller by any stretch but I have experienced the TSA a few times (LAX, SFO and AUS so far this year). I have seen the full body scanners but haven't been selected yet.

To be honest I have nothing to complain about - the people I have dealt with have been efficient and polite.

They have even made casual conversation with me before and one person also commented on how I was one of the most organised travellers she has seen when I stuck my hand in my carry on and pulled out my clear liquids case and then laptop sleeve all ready to go.

That in itself is probably all part of the profiling though

I must admit I did get a little bit worried when I had a tap on the shoulder once accompanied by "sir, could you please come with me" - but nothing to fear; I was simply being escorted to the front of a new line.

But maybe I am lucky, or something

 

[dfcatch]

I don't know.

I've been a regular TSA screenee since 2001, (well 1999, but TSA didn't exist then).

I went through screening this week at LAX, TPA and LGA, they weren't using the body scanners, but felt screening was fine and efficient, I've never been pulled aside in the USA, but regularly am in Oz.

There are big signs explaining your opt out options and procedures, personally I have no problem with it. If they treat you rudely, then complain. Otherwise, if you don't like it - catch the bus.

Personally I would prefer to be felt up and not have any "incidents" in the air.

I don't want to think about the alternative.

I remember what screening was like in the aftermath of September 11, armed soldiers at airports, fly-overs, 3 hour security lines at LAX T3, I think things have improved immensely since then.

Oz strikes a good balance.

 

[munitalP]

I had the Nude-o-Matic* at LAX a few weeks back - TSA people were all fine, one even suggested I changed lines as the one I was in had been slow all morning. I think as has already been said, if someone wants a feel of your bit's, or wants a laugh at your expense about your bits behind a closed area, so be it. If thats what makes them happy, I'll be happy too.

There is a lot of hysteria over quite frankly people only doing a job that someone way above them has told them to do. One day, the Nude-o-Matic* will save an aircraft and 184 passengers and 2 dogs from certain death, then I wonder if the people will be screaming quite so loud.

munitalP





* Copyright 2010 by NM

 

[medhead]

One day, the Nude-o-Matic* will save an aircraft and 184 passengers and 2 dogs from certain death, then I wonder if the people will be screaming quite so loud.

munitalP

Not sure what you basis this on. The question is not really if it will safe a life. The question whether it is more effective than current screening techniques. What does it do that a walk through metal detector and explosive sniffer doesn't do?

Add to that the small but extra risk of the radiation exposure. That is the main problem IMO, this thing has been dumped on us without any justification or explanation of the benefits. I make that opinion not just from a public POV. But also based on my direct professional experience.

 

[munitalP]

Not sure what you basis this on. The question is not really if it will safe a life. The question whether it is more effective than current screening techniques. What does it do that a walk through metal detector and explosive sniffer doesn't do?

Add to that the small but extra risk of the radiation exposure. That is the main problem IMO, this thing has been dumped on us without any justification or explanation of the benefits. I make that opinion not just from a public POV. But also based on my direct professional experience.

I can think in recent history in Australia where the Nude-o-Matic* would have saved a couple of FA's and I believe some PAX injuries caused by sharpened sticks!

Of course it is based on saving lives and of course aircraft! Why else would the security be in place in the first instance (my basis of argument )

 

[medhead]

I can think in recent history in Australia where the Nude-o-Matic* would have saved a couple of FA's and I believe some PAX injuries caused by sharpened sticks!

Of course it is based on saving lives and of course aircraft! Why else would the security be in place in the first instance (my basis of argument )

I'm not that up with events that I understand the sharpened sticks incident.

I'm not questioning the need or reason for security. Thats a given. What I'm questioning is the efficiency of the various technologies. Sure the promoters of nudeomatic tell us it is vital to have and will protect us from threats. But what threats? Why doesn't existing technology do this? Sure they can't go into specific details but their case would be better present if they at least said something general. No doubt they'll pull out underwear bomber. But didn't he get picked up without X-ray vision scanners? People aren't totally stupid inconsistencies like this should be explained.

 

[straitman]

My only recent TSA experience was in HNL last Tuesday morning.

They were friendly, efficient and easy to get along with, though they did have their walk through scanner wound right down as it picked up a medical chain that I always wear and that has never been picked up previously.

 

[Joshua]

I'm not that up with events that I understand the sharpened sticks incident.

Qantas Flight 1737 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Would any of their new fangled machinery do anything to pick up such a vampire slayer? I don't know and/or care enough (not being a US DOM traveller) to have an informed view, but wouldn't Mr. Robinson still have made it through the TSA today? Would not the new scanner make no difference?

 

[Fantic125]

The full body scanner would have picked up the different material density of the wooden stakes, and would have certainly shown the aerosol cans and lighter, as most probably a pat down would have picked up as well.

Next week I'll be heading off on my 6th visit to the US this year. I've been through the scanner on one previous trip, and a pat down on another - the others have been the normal security measures.

Whichever security check they do, I don't really care - It's only a few minutes in the overall scheme of things.
As for the TSA people getting their jolly's from the pat down's or scanner images - I'm sure it's no different to any other occupation that is involved in dealing with peoples bodies (e.g. nurse, radiologist, doctor, physio, etc) they all look the same after a while.

 

[totalk]

Its probably just one of those days.

 

[medhead]

The full body scanner would have picked up the different material density of the wooden stakes, and would have certainly shown the aerosol cans and lighter, as most probably a pat down would have picked up as well.

Sure nude-o-matic would seen the stick if the guy was picked for a scan. The aerosol cans should have been picked up by either the walk through metal detector or the baggage x-ray. But aerosol cans are allowed to be carried. Wikipedia says he had lighters. ISTR that only one lighter is allowed to be carried hence if the lighter were in the carry on then they should have been picked up by baggage screening.

Basically nude-o-magic adds some small random chance of picking someone up. IMO any improvement in security isn't readily apparent and is probably immeasurably small. Unless they plan to scan every passenger. :!: