US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Same ol' US BS...and lax security too.

Exactly one year ago this time, my partner and I made a cnx flight PHL-BWI. We were in row 2 and were surprised when a number (about 10)of pax came aboard asking, "is anyone going to take our tickets?". The gate agent had left the jetway door unattended for several minutes, allowing anyone that wanted access to the plane to simply walk on. I walked off the plane, found the agent, and she was none too pleased at my telling her about security. She thought it was no big deal. I reported it to US Mgt and the FAA. A few pax thought I was overreacting. After 9/11, no one would think that. And certainly, no agent would leave a door open, would they?

At BWI's gate D-20 on Friday, 11/2, as I was waiting for Metrojunk flight 2726 to RSW, a female gate agent prepared to board the flight. She opened the door. Next to her was a young female, in street clothes...obviously a screener. The agent left the door open, and walked away, back to the desk. The screener was there, but was focused on everything BUT the door. Her back was to the wide-open boarding door, and she was staring well across the room into space. She was sitting down, so there was no "scanning" of the area going on.

I walked over to the supervising gate agent who told me there was "no problem" with leaving the door open, since the screener was there. I said, "oh, the one who's now facing the opposite direction of the door, looting through the donut box?".

I am not a vigilante, and don't believe in "testing" security just to prove myself right. But, I can tell you for certain that I or anyone else that wanted to do so, had a 90-second window in which to make his or her way down the jetway.

I was told that I was being over-sensitive. Thanks just the same for your advice, US Airways. I still take security seriously.

So fellow FT'ers...anyone else think I am just taking this security stuff too seriously?

Didn't everyone who was outside the door already pass through security at the entrance to the terminal?

If you really want to worry about something useful, worry about the unfettered access ramp workers, maintenance personnel, and catering companies have to the aircraft.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Always Flyin:
Didn't everyone who was outside the door already pass through security at the entrance to the terminal?

If you really want to worry about something useful, worry about the unfettered access ramp workers, maintenance personnel, and catering companies have to the aircraft.</font>

This is far from the point. Whether everyone passes through security or not, no jetway door should be left unattended. EVER.

I'm sure a gate agent has never accidentally collected a ticket from someone getting on the wrong flight. With unticketed passengers not allowed through security, I'm not sure I see the big deal either ... if an "evil doer" is through security (and therefore has a ticket), what does it really matter which flight they get on?

It sure matters if they get on MY flight! I think thats good enough reason for shinbal to be perturbed.