Practical Travel Safety Issues - People walking into DCA concourse through the exit

I was waiting in the TSA line in the US shuttle concourse in DCA the other day, and over the 10 min I was waiting I saw at least 6-7 people walk into the concourse through the exit. All of them had suitcases, and looked just like any ordinary traveler. Any ideas on what this was all about? Can FAM's walk in the through the exit?

I was waiting in the TSA line in the US shuttle concourse in DCA the other day, and over the 10 min I was waiting I saw at least 6-7 people walk into the concourse through the exit. All of them had suitcases, and looked just like any ordinary traveler. Any ideas on what this was all about? Can FAM's walk in the through the exit?

FAM's, LEO's, FFDO's, Certain TSA personnel, etc.

Were they wearing Raspberry Berets?

I was waiting in the TSA line in the US shuttle concourse in DCA the other day, and over the 10 min I was waiting I saw at least 6-7 people walk into the concourse through the exit. All of them had suitcases, and looked just like any ordinary traveler. Any ideas on what this was all about? Can FAM's walk in the through the exit?
Also individuals with armed protective details.

I refer to that as the "Freedom of Information Act" entrance. Spend some spare time there taking pictures of the people who enter. Then you know the FAM's, which pilots are FFDO, etc.

Members of Congress and their staffs are exempt, I believe, upon presenting proper identification.

More likely to be federal LEOs traveling with their weapons.

Members of Congress and their staffs are exempt, I believe, upon presenting proper identification.

Member of Congress and their staff are exempt from screening?? That seems like a giant hole in the system given how large some congressional offices are (not that there aren't already other holes that are just as big). I thought member of Congress had to go through screening just like everyone else?

You are not supposed to see that.........shhh:D

Member of Congress and their staff are exempt from screening?? That seems like a giant hole in the system given how large some congressional offices are (not that there aren't already other holes that are just as big). I thought member of Congress had to go through screening just like everyone else?

Some animals are, apparently, more equal than others.

Member of Congress and their staff are exempt from screening?? That seems like a giant hole in the system given how large some congressional offices are (not that there aren't already other holes that are just as big). I thought member of Congress had to go through screening just like everyone else?

I found this on page 9 of the 1000+ page pdf (http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/PL109-295_10-4-06.pdf). I am not looking further. This much law reading has already killed brain cells that I probably will need eventually.

Provided further,
That Members of the United States House of Representatives and
United States Senate, including the leadership; and the heads of
Federal agencies and commissions, including the Secretary, Under
Secretaries, and Assistant Secretaries of the Department of Homeland
Security; the United States Attorney General and Assistant
Attorneys General and the United States attorneys; and senior
members of the Executive Office of the President, including the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget; shall not be
exempt from Federal passenger and baggage screening:

Members of Congress and their staffs are exempt, I believe, upon presenting proper identification.

Incorrect. I've seen many members of congress go through the checkpoints at DCA just like the rest of us. Granted, most have status, so they get to use the priority lanes. As for staffers, I personally don’t know either way, but I'm betting no member of congress would enact a law that would let their secretaries skip the checkpoint, but not them.

Members of Congress and their staffs are exempt, I believe, upon presenting proper identification.
They are not exempt but that'll probably grant them an exclusive lane for screening.

Were they wearing Raspberry Berets?

Excellent Prince reference!