Ok, they've stopped "randomly" selecting me every time I go through security -- it's only half the time now. But they've got a new one!

Last night at LGA the security people were, for some inexplicable reason, checking IDs and boarding passes of people standing in line to reach the gate agent (my guess is that they were trying to be helpful...) One of them pounced on mine because it had "us1" handwritten by the ticket agent -- and as we all know the middle letter of "us1" is S so, obviously, I was a "selectee" and needed to step out of line to be thoroughly searched.

It was completely pointless to try and explain to her what it really meant.

My sample's small (12 flights on US) but I've never been selected randomly or by CAPS since the hassles began. Then again, all my flights have been on long-booked/purchased tickets wth no changes.

US1= ultraselectee for cavity search http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

"random" selection rate down to 30% overall because I wait until the screeners are occupied with someone they just started and wait away from the tables. I just get nervous when there are holdups boarding when someone doesn't have their ticket out or ID out or is otherwise clueless.

That's the place where, after they made me take out my laptop and dvd, they accused me of having too many bags. Just hope the IRS uses the same applicant pool.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by biggs:
"random" selection rate down to 30% overall because I wait until the screeners are occupied with someone they just started and wait away from the tables.</font>

On my last 3 flights on US last month (leaving from SEA, PIT and PHL), I didn't notice anyone in the preboard line get pulled aside for random security checks at the jetway entrance (half expecting it but never happened). The security people were there and waiting but didn't pull anyone aside. Maybe we were all lucky.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
On my last 3 flights on US last month (leaving from SEA, PIT and PHL), I didn't notice anyone in the preboard line get pulled aside for random security checks at the jetway entrance (half expecting it but never happened). The security people were there and waiting but didn't pull anyone aside. Maybe we were all lucky.</font>

They seem to have lightened up considerably on the pre-boards. They still grab people but not nearly as often. The method remains bogus -- apparently its the gate agent's whim rather than some sort of defined process that fits the description of "random". (Note: "whim" is decidedly non-random in nature and therefore a security risk rather than an improvement.)

looks like i'm having a different experience.

i have NEVER been selected on a usairways flight -- and i have ALWAYS been selected on other airlines. i think i'm selected on other airlines because of my ethnicity (definitely nothing random about it...) but i attribute not being selected on USAirways to my CP status.

I'm nobody on US, but always get selected when flying the Shuttle. I'm 1P on UA and get picked on going through security and at the gate no SSSS on my boarding pass. I'm EXP on AA and the same thing happens, even with the CLR on the boarding pass. The screeners love to mess with me and my laptop.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
That's the place where, after they made me take out my laptop and dvd, they accused me of having too many bags. Just hope the IRS uses the same applicant pool.</font>

Ive had that happen to me also.I got into an arugment at cos a few month back and it seemed to be futile with the low wage screeners at the security checkpoint.Only reason i got through is a rep from another airline that i was flying on came over and told them they were wrong.They propmtly pulled me aside for more screening then ugh.
-howie

Just wait until they take the first passengers to screw with at the boarding point. They will spend at least 2 minutes with them, which is when you go. While they are busy, you board. Also, don't be first on, because they grab them right away. Of course,if you're one of those guys they are "protecting" us from,you'd probably never work that one out. Oh, by the way, a new one this past weekend. I check in with the lead agent at the Preferred position at PBI. I carry a Florida ID card. It's issued by the DMV, and is a replica of a license, picture and all. Laminated out the ying yang, which is why I use it. Indestructible. I'm tired of getting my other ID's mangled. As it happens, these have an effective date, but no expiration. Since they aren't licenses or permits, presumably they expire when you do. Anyway,the guy tells me it's no good. I ask him who he thinks made it, and quote the "government issued ID" line from the company. I'm CP, they know me there, and besides, the picture matches. Meantime,this Dork is playing Tom Ridge with me. When does it end? These days, now that we need pictures for our "protection" in the Club as well, that leaves the janitor as the only one in the airport who doesn't demand that you prove who you are. Can he be far behind? One side benefit. I wear my (questionable) semi government issued ID (with no expiry) around my neck, much like the employees do. The other night in Vegas, the gal at the Cinnabon stand sees it, thinks I work there, and offers me a 30 percent discount if I do! PS: I said I did, and took it. Even Bin Laden wouldn't stoop that low(burp).

I forget the wording at the club but I think it said it is for you membership's protection - not your protection. Why all of the notice - if people are using other people's memberships then stop it NOW.

Deelmakur - I love your experiences and stories but I hope I am never on your flight or check in with you. I just don't want to live your unfortunate circumstances. You make me feel so lucky.

You and an hour and a few beers is a better situation. What happens to you is priceless.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
The other night in Vegas, the gal at the Cinnabon stand sees it, thinks I work there, and offers me a 30 percent discount if I do! PS: I said I did, and took it. Even Bin Laden wouldn't stoop that low(burp).</font>

LOL.

The cinnamon buns are on the deelmakur.
I'd be happy to travel with you because I know they would nab you instead of me.

I believe I was selected for screening once because the gate agent saw I was a CP. They already had 2 other people waiting and I ended up last boarding.

The guy's brother-in-law was probably ahead of you. Doubtless, it was a nefarious plot to get your overhead space.

Back in the winter I found myself a regular victim of the "Gate Nazis", particulary on express flights from BWI (remember them) and PHL. When they started boarding I would always enter the line past the half-way point in an effort to avoid being in the first group of selectees. However, I still seemed to be regularly selected and would find myself waiting for them to finish the the first folks they pulled aside.
Now I am all about security but this was becoming ridiculous, so I did the only thing I could. I went into slow motion. I would put things back in my pocket one at a time,reorganize my post rummage carry-on and briefcase, hell I could make putting my shoes on a 5 minute ordeal. And there would be the gate agent (the one who selected me) glaring at me as the on time departure window went by. I was never argumentive or rude, just slow. Now I am a very frequent business traveler and I know the consequences of a late flight and all the flights had on time arrivals-but I think I made my point. After I did this twice at BWI and twice at PHL I stopped being gate searched, so far.

So far as I am aware, the gate agent should not be making the selection unless he or she sees a special notation on your boarding card. Each carrier is different regarding such notations. I think US puts an "S" on it, while others put "CLR" for clear on the ones NOT selected. In any case, I don't believe general selection is up to the gate person.

I was nabbed twice by the same local gate agent who should recognize my face a few months back and I politely hinted that this was getting old. I figured I was easy because I had little in the way of carryons, was in FC and the flight was not full so space would not be a problem. The last time 2 weeks ago, the Express agent looked at my BP (no S or other notation) and told me to go to the table. They were finshing one pax, had 2 in front of me so I sat down and watched the routine. Thought about getting up and boarding since the screeners were not paying attention but decided not to chance it. They closed the door of the Dash 8 behind me.

As a balance to the stories above, a few days ago I was flying out of BOS, in a bit of a hurry, and wanted to check in at the Club. I approached the young man (22 years old, perhaps?) screening passengers before security and handed him my driver's license and Club card. He looked at me quizically and said, "Do you have an itinerary or a ticket?"

"As of April 15, Club members can enter with their Club card and photo ID," I told him.

He shrugged and said, "Oh! Thanks for telling me," and let me through.

I actually find this rather disturbing! By acting like I knew what I was doing (which, of course, I did) I was able to intimidate someone into letting me through security against his own understanding of the policies. Yikes.

Andy

On both my recent long transcon legs, they boarded the infirm, young kids, etc. first and they did not stop one of them for gate screening. They did start with the FC and Preferred but what I thought was new was one of the agents counting 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and number 5 was it. Got the guy in front of me. At least this was more random than what I have seen previously.

Earlier this year, was connecting through ORD on my way back to DCA. I'd been using my military id card when any airline agent asked for an id. I got to the DCA departure gate at ORD where you have to show your ticket and id just to get into the gate area. I showed the UA agent my ticket and US armed forces id. The agent looked at my id and said "sir, don't you have a driver's license?". "You'd prefer to see my Virginia driver's license?" asked I. "Yes sir!" So, I showed her my license and she was happy. Walking to my seat, I remembered that two of the hijackers of the AA 757 that was crashed into the Pentagon had valid Virginia driver's licenses. Go figure!