Practical Travel Safety Issues - Are TSOs allowed to sift through your wallet?

I was told today that they "have the right to search anything you are taking onto the plane".

Is that true? Do they have to inform you that they are going through your wallet?

I would never let a TSO touch my wallet and if they did so against my wishes I would immediately dial 911 to get the police to intervene.

Any govt employee wanting to look through my wallet without a warrent, are going to have problems of there own to deal with poste haste. I would be calling 911 and filing a police report for attempted identity theft.

They have no right and CBN42 your friend was lied to...I know its a shock to some that TSA would lie but in this case their dead wrong.

I was told today that they "have the right to search anything you are taking onto the plane".

Is that true? Do they have to inform you that they are going through your wallet?

Actually, I believe they can. I think it's been posted here by TSOs that it's because you might be carrying a concealed razor blade, a Swiss Army credit card/multi-tool thing that has a sharp blade, thin sheets of plastic explosive or a bunch of fake IDs. They might even question checks you might have in your wallet - they did this to a woman who had checks in her coat pocket that were discovered and questioned at the checkpoint. The police were called and the police backed TSA up and held the woman until her husband could be contacted to verify that she had his permission to have the checks.

If it happens, you can call the police, but YMMV. If it's at one of the airports where the police take direction from the TSOs, the officer may ask for your wallet and/or IDs and then hand it over to the TSO. If it's at an airport where the police do not take direction from the TSOs, then things might go differently.

Some airports have signage indicating that from the time you present at the checkpoint to the time the plane takes off, TSA has the 'right' to search you and your belongings at any time. On rare occasion, TSA has even searched all arriving passengers from a particular plane.

It should not happen, but it can and it has.

They can check my valuables while they remain in my possession. I hold my wallet, any cash, watch stays on my wrist, all valuables remain in my hands.

I tell them that they can call as many people and take as much time as they want to ensure my cash and ID is of no security concern, but under no circumstances will I allow them to be handled by any other.

I will stay until they determine that my wallet and watch are of no security risk. They quickly realize what a waste of their own time it will be, and before too long I am on my way.

The minute they get defensive, I cry out for a supervisor, loudly. A quick repeat to the super that I am in no rush, and they can take as much time as they want to clear me to the supervisor is usually all it takes.... usually. At this point, as much attention is on them as is on me. Once the tables are turned, the attention is on the screener, I get the respect I deserve, and proper security screening is then resumed, without games, or power trips.

Do not submit to games that have nothing to do with security.

I would never let a TSO touch my wallet and if they did so against my wishes I would immediately dial 911 to get the police to intervene.

Unless you are able to SDOO through a WTMD retaining wallet in pocket, you will not be in possession of it. They also control your phone, until they choose to release your property back to you.

My wallet was "sifted" several times, including removing and looking at my credit cards, before I started locking my carryon. At OAK I asked to report suspected identity theft at the ACSO desk which overlooks the T2 checkpoint. The officer there (who appeared well past retirement age) refused, told me "they can look at anything they want," and after brief discussion that "you have no Constitutional rights at the checkpoint." :mad:

Some LEOs hold TSA in contempt. If they can claim jurisdiction, you might get lucky.

So far I haven't been asked to remove wallet or phone from my locked carryon, but nothing prevents them demanding it. (I would probably request a LEO at that point, but that's a crapshoot.) Although locked in, one still has no access to them until the process is over. It's disgusting, but those are the real-world conditions.

The minute they get defensive, I cry out for a supervisor, loudly. A quick repeat to the super that I am in no rush, and they can take as much time as they want to clear me to the supervisor is usually all it takes.... usually. At this point, as much attention is on them as is on me. Once the tables are turned, the attention is on the screener, I get the respect I deserve, and proper security screening is then resumed, without games, or power trips.

Do not submit to games that have nothing to do with security.

^^^ This is an awesome plan, but I'm curious about how many different times/airports you've had occasion to use it and how consistent are your results.

A friend (60ish businesswoman) tried this at LAX after the entire contents of her wallet were removed and laid out on a table behind the x-ray belt. Supervisor supported the one-striper, refused to call a LEO (none in voice range), and threatened her with arrest if a LEO called to the scene. (Yeah, I know, but she was not confident LEOs at LAX don't follow TSA's bidding.) She only travels domestically, so now carries one credit card and under $20 in cash until accessing an ATM at her destination.

Some previous threads

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/810048-wallet-search.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/988265-inappropriate-patdown-wallet-search-mht.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/1211068-tsa-going-through-wallets-now.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/practical-travel-safety-issues/1073251-tsa-looking-wallet-contents-documents-etc.html

Before I go through security, I lock my wallet and watch in my lockable attaché case, but before I lock my case, I remove my drivers license, money and credit cards from my wallet and put them in a small #6 self sealing envelope and place that envelope inside one of a few folders I have in my case. The only identification I have readily available is my passport, which I use all the time as my ID because it does not have my address on it. So basically my wallet has nothing in it of importance except some unimportant cards so they can check my wallet all they want, there is nothing of value in my wallet they can steal or copy down like credit card numbers.

In a US District Court ruling in the US vs Fohana, a Federal Judge dismissed the evidence of a false passport because the passport was in a small thin envelope and the judge ruled that the small thin envelope was not a threat to the safety of the airplane and the TSA screener exceeded their authority in opening the envelope because their authority is to search for WEI only. The TSA can do an ETD swab of the envelope for WEI, x-ray the envelope for metal but they cannot open a small thin envelope to inspect its contents because it is not a threat to the safety of the aircraft.

While I have had my carry ons opened for inspection after X-ray for some specific questionable images on the screen and swabbed for ETD, I never had a screener totally empty everything and inspect every item in detail, I know the day is coming when it will happen, I also know that every TSA supervisor and up makes up their own rules and regulations on the spot at the checkpoint so I do not know how this is going to play out, but I am prepared to stand my ground and will not be intimidated with threats of arrest from both screeners and TSA loving LEO’s.

The TSA screeners will attempt to coerce you into thinking they can do anything they want at the checkpoint, but in reality they do have some limitations on what they can do, like count money, which by an agreement between the ACLU and the DHS, they have agreed not to any more, or read documents, credit cards numbers or checks, but again the screeners will tell you that does not apply to them, they can do anything they want.

Mr. Elliott

I opt out of AIT 100% of the time, so my wallet stays in my pocket. I've told many a TSO preparing to pat me down that my wallet is in my front pocket. I will remove and hold it for the screening, he is welcome to swab it and I will open it to show him the contents if requested, but under no circumstances will it be held by anyone other than myself.

That's been fine virtually every time it's occurred, and the one TSO who demanded that he be allowed to take the wallet was quickly deterred when I told him that before he touched my wallet, he would need a three-striper, a LEO, an airline employee and a member of airport management standing right next to us to ensure that his conduct was appropriate and his search did not overstep the bounds of aviation security. A thinly-veiled threat of making me miss my flight followed, at which point I told him that my meeting had ended early and I had well over four hours before I was due at the gate. The disagreement ended there and the pat-down continued, with my wallet in my hand. Your mileage may vary.

I always put my wallet and other valuables in my carry-on and it has occasionally been taken out and placed on the table when my bag is searched (which happens a lot), but no one has ever gone through the actual contents.

I think I'd raise one hell of a stink if they did it, but to answer the OP, I think they certainly can do it and don't see why they wouldn't be allowed to do it.

It's only logical (I know, I know) that they wouldn't carve out exceptions, else the bad guys (I know, I know) would obviously start carrying big wallets (I know, I know). :D

What are the real legal guidelines for TSA searches? I read these threads and it's a lot of folks saying a lot of "i think," or "I always."

In reality, if you aren't a lawyer, you can't factually comment on these regulations. It's just an opinion.

I want to get some facts, find them somewhere online, and arm myself with them when I travel.

When someone 'threatens' you with missing your flight, isn't that coercion? Isn't there legal recourse for that?

Where's all the lawsuits in America for TSA abuse? Seems there should be some, if we're going to get anything fixed.

Remember, it's all about what you can prove in the court room. And with all those thing there is really no base. Suing the government is never easy.

Actually, I believe they can. I think it's been posted here by TSOs that it's because you might be carrying a concealed razor blade, a Swiss Army credit card/multi-tool thing that has a sharp blade, thin sheets of plastic explosive or a bunch of fake IDs.


Yes, I heard this explanation many times. But then why my BOOKS never ever been shifted through, searched?

(During my blissful young years I were backpacking all around the world keeping my money, cards in books.)

They can search inside bags can't they? So, if the wallet is inside then how is it different than anything else in the bag? I do not like them looking inside my wallet either but the problem is a bit bigger than that.

What are the real legal guidelines for TSA searches?

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Hi, OP here. Now that there are several answers on this thread, let me tell the whole story.

I was attempting to go through security for a domestic flight. I had my passport card and boarding pass in hand, everything else was in my wallet, as usual. TSO asked me if I have a driver's license. Because I had extra time, I decided not to budge, so I simply replied that the passport card is valid. Rather than arguing, he signed my boarding pass and let me through. I was rather surprised.

A few moments later, I put my wallet and phone in a doggy bowl and put it on the x-ray along with my carry-on. The TSO pointed to the bowl and asked me "is this yours?" I assumed that the x-ray showed an anomaly, so I just nodded. He opened my wallet, took out my driver's license, shined it with the black light, and put it back.

I started this thread to find out what the rules are regarding this situation, if any. Even though he looked through my wallet fully in my view, it still made me quite jittery. In retrospect, I should have said something, but the whole incident was completed before I could even realize what he was doing and process it. I am assuming the TDC communicated to him somehow, but I'm not sure how.

Hi, OP here. Now that there are several answers on this thread, let me tell the whole story.

I was attempting to go through security for a domestic flight. I had my passport card and boarding pass in hand, everything else was in my wallet, as usual. TSO asked me if I have a driver's license. Because I had extra time, I decided not to budge, so I simply replied that the passport card is valid. Rather than arguing, he signed my boarding pass and let me through. I was rather surprised.

A few moments later, I put my wallet and phone in a doggy bowl and put it on the x-ray along with my carry-on. The TSO pointed to the bowl and asked me "is this yours?" I assumed that the x-ray showed an anomaly, so I just nodded. He opened my wallet, took out my driver's license, shined it with the black light, and put it back.

I started this thread to find out what the rules are regarding this situation, if any. Even though he looked through my wallet fully in my view, it still made me quite jittery. In retrospect, I should have said something, but the whole incident was completed before I could even realize what he was doing and process it. I am assuming the TDC communicated to him somehow, but I'm not sure how."Is this yours?" not followed by anything even remotely related to explaining as to why said TSO needed to look in your wallet let alone removing something from your wallet without said explanation borders on attempted theft and if it was me, you would have heard me yell at the top of my lungs for the TSO to stop what they are doing and for someone to call the police. Oh and yeah, the TSA "insists" they don't do retaliatory screenings :rolleyes: but this is exactly what the OP received :td:

What are the real legal guidelines for TSA searches? I read these threads and it's a lot of folks saying a lot of "i think," or "I always."From reading the various court decisions (referenced in several prior threads) my understanding is that the TSA is allowed to search all of your possessions to the extent necessary to determine that you are not carrying WEI (Weapons, incendiaries, and explosives), and the search has to be restricted 'in good faith' to these goals.

So for example, they can check your wallet to verify that you don't have a concealed razor blade, but scrutinizing your credit cards and counting your money is not permitted.

In particular, there are a few cases that are relevant:
Bierfeldt (http://www.aclu.org/files/assets/TSA.Switzer_Decl_attachments_1_2_and_3_0.pdf) - campaign director was detained and questioned because he had a box of cash; TSA settled and agreed to modify their SOP

Aukai (http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=11449512533669010876) - Drug paraphenalia was admitted because the search was performed correctly under administrative search doctrine

Fofana (http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4410788226515973850) - Evidence was suppressed because the TSA admitted the search was not confined to weapons or dangerous items; the agent was told to keep an eye out for suspicious evidence of other criminal activity, like large amounts of cash

McCarty (http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17987402367759094463)By law, the TSA must search all checked baggage for explosives, see 49 U.S.C. § 44901, and the parties do not dispute that the TSA could search Defendant's bags to ensure that they did not pose a safety risk to the plane. Rather, at issue is whether the government has carried its burden of proving that the search of the Travel Pro bag was for the purpose of detecting weapons or explosives and "confined in good faith" to that purpose. See Aukai, 497 F.3d at 962.
<snip>
The court cannot conclude, however, that the search of the Travel Pro bag was limited to ensuring that it did not pose a safety risk. Rather, the testimony evidences that the TSA employees, at some point, clearly exceeded the scope of their administrative search and began to search for evidence of child pornography. And the government has failed to prove that, during the course of the lawful administrative search, TSA employees discovered evidence supporting a finding of probable cause that Defendant possessed child pornography.

So the case law is pretty clear, and you might be protected if the TSA finds criminal evidence during a search that is more invasive than necessary. I think from a practical perspective, you don't have much defense if a TSO decides to perform an unduly invasive wallet search. Just ask this woman, (http://articles.philly.com/2010-08-18/news/24973352_1_tsa-police-officer-checks) who was detained and nearly arrested because she had some sequential checks in her purse, even after the TSA supposedly modified its SOP in the Bierfeldt decision. :rolleyes:

Hi, OP here. Now that there are several answers on this thread, let me tell the whole story.

I was attempting to go through security for a domestic flight. I had my passport card and boarding pass in hand, everything else was in my wallet, as usual. TSO asked me if I have a driver's license. Because I had extra time, I decided not to budge, so I simply replied that the passport card is valid. Rather than arguing, he signed my boarding pass and let me through. I was rather surprised.

A few moments later, I put my wallet and phone in a doggy bowl and put it on the x-ray along with my carry-on. The TSO pointed to the bowl and asked me "is this yours?" I assumed that the x-ray showed an anomaly, so I just nodded. He opened my wallet, took out my driver's license, shined it with the black light, and put it back.

I started this thread to find out what the rules are regarding this situation, if any. Even though he looked through my wallet fully in my view, it still made me quite jittery. In retrospect, I should have said something, but the whole incident was completed before I could even realize what he was doing and process it. I am assuming the TDC communicated to him somehow, but I'm not sure how.

This action was improper on several levels and it would have infuriated me.

You had already cleared the TDC and the required ID/BP check and any additional check was unnecessary. This was clearly not an ID check except to show that they had opportunity and means to add to your inconvenience. They were not looking for WEI with the little light. They were being officious martinets. Period.

All of my ID's are locked away in my carry on except the one I use at the TDC. I do not use the dog bowls except in the rare case that I forget to take off my belt. It is a shame, but I feel that it is necessary to stop at the restroom, stow away my valuables, roll up my jacket, take off my belt, and secure the whole mess in my carry on with an industrial cable tie. My roller bag is also sealed. Other than my clothes, everything is put away except my NEXUS and BP.

Is it a big nuisance? Yes. Does it keep them from pawing through my stuff without asking? Yes again. Do I mind? Not at all. When they see the cable tie, they ask permission to remove it and I say "Sure, is there anything in particular for which you are looking?" I also tell them the location of the small outside pocket that has my toenail cutters for the cable ties.

it's because you might be carrying a concealed razor blade, a Swiss Army credit card/multi-tool thing that has a sharp blade, thin sheets of plastic explosive or a bunch of fake IDs.

All of those things, except for one, may pose a threat to transportation security.

That one is no business of the TSA.

This action was improper on several levels and it would have infuriated me.

You had already cleared the TDC and the required ID/BP check and any additional check was unnecessary. This was clearly not an ID check except to show that they had opportunity and means to add to your inconvenience. They were not looking for WEI with the little light. They were being officious martinets. Period.Yes, but what recourse does the OP have at this point?

I would hope he could file a complaint with the OIG, mention the precedents and TSA's supposed modifications to the SOP, and they would be reprimanded/corrected. But we know that's not going to happen.

He could file a lawsuit enjoining TSA from inspecting his wallet for the sole purpose of examining secondary IDs. But that sounds like a PITA, and perhaps unlikely to succeed, and perhaps moot?

He could write to his Congressman/Senator, explaining the violation and asking why the TSA is disregarding the law surrounding administrative searches... but who knows if that will have any impact.

<sigh>

And really, I'm curious as to what he could have accomplished at the checkpoint, even if he had been informed of and aware of his rights. Could he have pressed charges for attempted identity theft? Gotten a supervisor to back him up? Or would he just have received a retaliatory secondary? The TSOs are just so blinking unaccountable for everything!!

Yes, but what recourse does the OP have at this point?



None of any consequence. It is the reason that I took an opportunity to present a process where this could be reduced in future encounters.

Much of that with which we are faced at the CP ends up being a process of putting the toothpaste back in the tube, a nearly impossible and messy endeavor. The practical advice side of this forum is used to help prevent the tube from getting squeezed in the first place.

The sad thing is that we never run out of things that need preventing.

I will be travelling to the US soon and having never been there before, my knowledge of TSO's only comes from forums such as these. I have been through other airports many times and had no trouble (except for the one time I forgot to take my money belt off before going through the metal detector in Barcelona and even then all I got was a dirty look from one security guy while the other lady told me to take it off).

A quick question - I as a general rule do not have a wallet. When out and about I have a money belt I keep under my shirt, but on flights I put all of my stuff into my carry on bag. If i was asked for my wallet and told them I do not have one, would they just leave it at that or go looking for one, because all men have wallets apparently?

Just wondering whether I should buy a cheap one and have nothing in it just so i have something to show them.

I will be travelling to the US soon and having never been there before, my knowledge of TSO's only comes from forums such as these. I have been through other airports many times and had no trouble (except for the one time I forgot to take my money belt off before going through the metal detector in Barcelona and even then all I got was a dirty look from one security guy while the other lady told me to take it off).

A quick question - I as a general rule do not have a wallet. When out and about I have a money belt I keep under my shirt, but on flights I put all of my stuff into my carry on bag. If i was asked for my wallet and told them I do not have one, would they just leave it at that or go looking for one, because all men have wallets apparently?

Just wondering whether I should buy a cheap one and have nothing in it just so i have something to show them.

That seems like a good idea. Though I would put some things in it because totally empty would likely raise a flag. Photos, business cards, maybe a very small amount of money.

That seems like a good idea. Though I would put some things in it because totally empty would likely raise a flag. Photos, business cards, maybe a very small amount of money.

That's funny to me that something being empty makes it suspicious. I take your point though. Stick a Twenty in there and a library card and my Batman Fan Club membership and I should have no worries, hopefully.

Could he have pressed charges for attempted identity theft?

From my understanding of the law, I doubt looking at the DL, even though there was no reason to remove it could be prosecuted as identity theft. For a criminal prosecution, the state has to prove intent. Now, it might be illegal for the TSO to remove that item, in which case, that would be a crime (no need to prove intent, as it was done), but unless it is possible to prove the TSO intended to use that document to commit identity theft, there is no crime on that regard.

A civil lawsuit could be in order, since there is no standard of intent, in a civil case.

Either way, it really is unnerving, maddening, and seems to me, to WAY outside of any search for something dangerous to air transportation.

That seems like a good idea. Though I would put some things in it because totally empty would likely raise a flag. Photos, business cards, maybe a very small amount of money.

Some security experts recommend a fake billfold with what appears to be some cash, credit cards, ID's an other items. However, they are all fakes, even the cash. If you are held up, you can toss the fake after making a show that it is "loaded" with stuff and run the opposite direction. The theory is that they will go after the wallet and by the time they realize they have been duped, you are long gone. At least that is the way it is supposed to work.

A quick question - I as a general rule do not have a wallet. When out and about I have a money belt I keep under my shirt, but on flights I put all of my stuff into my carry on bag. If i was asked for my wallet and told them I do not have one, would they just leave it at that or go looking for one, because all men have wallets apparently?

Just wondering whether I should buy a cheap one and have nothing in it just so i have something to show them.

Nobody's ever asked me for a wallet.

Nobody's ever asked me for a wallet.

Hopefully I should be alright then. I'm normally pretty good with airport security around the world so I'm not scared of them or anything. Just haven't been to the US before.

I was told today that they "have the right to search anything you are taking onto the plane".

Is that true? Do they have to inform you that they are going through your wallet?

Yes, we have the duty to go through everything you are bringing onto a commercial aircraft.

That being said, to go through a wallet we would have to suspect something prohibited is in it. Its happened, more than once. But generally the x-ray operator is able to completely visualize the contents of the average wallet. And by and large that is the normal extent of our "search" of your wallet.

As for inform, well now that is THE question. Inform, in words or by actions? IOW, you should be present ANYTIME a more through search of your belongings is conducted. I say "should" because many people just dont care if they are or not. We do though, and would really prefer your presence and attention. Security for both the passengers belongings and for ourselves.

Yes, we have the duty to go through everything you are bringing onto a commercial aircraft.

That being said, to go through a wallet we would have to suspect something prohibited is in it. Its happened, more than once. But generally the x-ray operator is able to completely visualize the contents of the average wallet. And by and large that is the normal extent of our "search" of your wallet.

As for inform, well now that is THE question. Inform, in words or by actions? IOW, you should be present ANYTIME a more through search of your belongings is conducted. I say "should" because many people just dont care if they are or not. We do though, and would really prefer your presence and attention. Security for both the passengers belongings and for ourselves.

TSORon, I appreciate the answer. I was definitely present when this happened, so it seems like that policy was followed.

Do you think you could speculate on how the TSO watching the x-ray knew to re-check my license? I'm assuming the TDC informed him of this, but I'm not sure how.

Also, under the policy, is it acceptable to check through a wallet when there is no anomaly in the x-ray? I have put this wallet through the x-ray machine numerous times, without any issue. It is quite clear that the additional check happened because of the incident with the TDC, not because of anything the x-ray showed.

Thanks for sharing your expertise.

Yes, we have the duty to go through everything you are bringing onto a commercial aircraft.

That being said, to go through a wallet we would have to suspect something prohibited is in it.

:confused:

Those two statements are not compatible. I carry a wallet. I bring it through security. Therefore you (TSA employees) have a duty to go through the wallet (since I am bringing it onto a commercial aircraft and a wallet is part of the set of "everything"). How do you do that if you have no reason "to suspect something prohibited is in it"?

The only possible answer is that there is always reason to suspect something prohibited is inside everything.

Yes, we have the duty to go through everything you are bringing onto a commercial aircraft.

That being said, to go through a wallet we would have to suspect something prohibited is in it. Its happened, more than once. But generally the x-ray operator is able to completely visualize the contents of the average wallet. And by and large that is the normal extent of our "search" of your wallet.

As for inform, well now that is THE question. Inform, in words or by actions? IOW, you should be present ANYTIME a more through search of your belongings is conducted. I say "should" because many people just dont care if they are or not. We do though, and would really prefer your presence and attention. Security for both the passengers belongings and for ourselves.Absolutely correct ^ (including the collective cya part ;)) but as to the question of the D/L being the only item removed and subsequently "scanned", what would be the logic and/or rationale for that be as to me, it appears (n.b. appears) to be a form of retaliatory screening based on what cbn42 posted and of course the TSA publicly states that it does not perform retaliatory screening ;)

[QUOTE=cbn42;18483011]A few moments later, I put my wallet and phone in a doggy bowl and put it on the x-ray along with my carry-on. [QUOTE]

Putting the wallet in the bowl was a major mistake. It should go in one of your carry-on pieces.

I go further. Mine goes in a small heavy pouch with a lock. It then goes into my computer case with my other valuables which is also locked. I have to be present if they want to see anything, but the pouch with my wallet NEVER gets opened for them.

Yes, we have the duty to go through everything you are bringing onto a commercial aircraft.

That being said, to go through a wallet we would have to suspect something prohibited is in it. Its happened, more than once. But generally the x-ray operator is able to completely visualize the contents of the average wallet. And by and large that is the normal extent of our "search" of your wallet.


"Duty" to search for WEI, nothing else. Ink on paper or plastic (i.e., text) is not a prohibited item, regardless of the content. How many reports are there of overzealous TSOs going through documents, cards, etc., in wallets, reading the text on those items, and generally engaging in fishing expeditions? The Kathy Parker incident is one of the more serious, but there are many more. In all of these cases the TSOs get away with it and suffer no consequences.

I hypothesize that the vast majority of hand wallet searches are not due to individualized suspicion of WEI but are a combination of retaliatory screening and inappropriate fishing expeditions. I suspect that if prior to hand searching any "suspicious" wallet, an x-ray operator in a different lane had to call out the wallet as needing additional screening after a supervisor transferred the wallet to that lane and said nothing to the x-ray operator about this being a re-scan of a "suspicious" wallet, there would be very few wallet searches, and those that occurred would find actual prohibited items.

...

That being said, to go through a wallet we would have to suspect something prohibited is in it. Its happened, more than once. But generally the x-ray operator is able to completely visualize the contents of the average wallet. And by and large that is the normal extent of our "search" of your wallet.
...

The problem with this statement is that it represents an ideal state of affairs that is frequently not what really happens. The reality is that TSA screeners can, and do, search through travelers' wallets as retaliatory action, fishing expeditions or from outright nosiness. As a practical matter there is absolutely no accountability or discipline for those who do so.

I do not carry a wallet.

I put my credit cards, keys, driver’s license, coins and paper money — normally in the front pocket of my pants — in a zippered side pocket of my carry-on bag out of anyone’s view before entering the airport security checkpoint, and I have never had a problem.

In fact, the only times these items are inspected is during the rare bag inspection, and even then it is done within my view at my insistence. I have never had a problem here either.

TSORon, I appreciate the answer. I was definitely present when this happened, so it seems like that policy was followed.

Do you think you could speculate on how the TSO watching the x-ray knew to re-check my license? I'm assuming the TDC informed him of this, but I'm not sure how.

Recheck your license? Sorry, x-ray ops don’t do that, nor have anything to do with it with the exception of the very smallest airports.

Now, if they saw something in your wallet that was suspicious or could not be identified, those are reasons to go through or open a wallet. Its pretty rare, and usually because someone has a razor blade in the wallet or the wallet is on top of something else that is causing an unclear picture. We get a 2 dimensional picture of things, and at times its difficult to tell “if” there is something else on top of an item.


Also, under the policy, is it acceptable to check through a wallet when there is no anomaly in the x-ray? I have put this wallet through the x-ray machine numerous times, without any issue. It is quite clear that the additional check happened because of the incident with the TDC, not because of anything the x-ray showed.

Thanks for sharing your expertise.

Any additional screening must have a reason. Believe it or not, “Random Screening” is a reason, and we do LOTS of that. Sometimes it seems my whole day is doing nothing but, but there is nothing specifically about screening then opening wallets. The wallet would have to contain something not normally found in a wallet (condoms not included), something that could potentially be dangerous.

Happy to help out in any way I can.

:confused:

Those two statements are not compatible. I carry a wallet. I bring it through security. Therefore you (TSA employees) have a duty to go through the wallet (since I am bringing it onto a commercial aircraft and a wallet is part of the set of "everything"). How do you do that if you have no reason "to suspect something prohibited is in it"?

The only possible answer is that there is always reason to suspect something prohibited is inside everything.

No Ralph, they actually are not. Not if you include electronic forms of screening as “going through”. We use advanced technology to screen folks, and we do our best to use the least intrusive possible type that will also get the job done. So, if you put your wallet in a bin for x-ray screening then it is the x-ray operator that is “going through” it. We don’t have to hand search everything (thank god, what a waste of time that would be!), only things with suspect items in them or things we are unable to clear. By clear I mean fully visualize the item and its contents if any.

This is the practical forum. Practical helpful questions and advice. thanks

squeakr

co Mod TS/S

We don’t have to hand search everything (thank god, what a waste of time that would be!), only things with suspect items in them or things we are unable to clear. By clear I mean fully visualize the item and its contents if any.

Your Statement is totally inaccurate, and leads me to a serious Question. I treat screeners as they treat me. If polite, I'm polite, and vice versa.

Many times @ IAH I have secondary screenings. So tell me the importance of removing a AAA battery from a working flashlight, and running it through the X-Ray. How about my ear buds? My USB memory sticks? My eye glasses? I won't list all items, but there were more.

In *my* opinion, THAT is a waste of time.

A few moments later, I put my wallet and phone in a doggy bowl and put it on the x-ray along with my carry-on. The TSO pointed to the bowl and asked me "is this yours?" I assumed that the x-ray showed an anomaly, so I just nodded. He opened my wallet, took out my driver's license, shined it with the black light, and put it back.

Holy crap. If this had happened to me, I'm fairly certain that I would have gone ballistic and probably been arrested for disorderly conduct after spewing every four letter word in my vocabulary at angry redneck volume.

What he did was treat you disrespectfully because you failed to yield to his authority like all the other sheep. To h*ll with Homeland Security and law enforcement and whatever else, what he did probably deserves a punch in the mouth in the land of good manners and decent human conduct, even if it would probably land you on the list and in jail. Holy crap that was bad. I just assumed that they had rifled through it during a secondary. Oh man I'm glad that wasn't me.

Putting the wallet in the bowl was a major mistake. It should go in one of your carry-on pieces.

FWIW, this is my answer. Everything I carry goes into my briefcase when I travel, except for my passport card and my BP. If they want to go through my bag (and my wallet), I'll be standing there the whole time.

Your Statement is totally inaccurate, and leads me to a serious Question. I treat screeners as they treat me. If polite, I'm polite, and vice versa.

Many times @ IAH I have secondary screenings. So tell me the importance of removing a AAA battery from a working flashlight, and running it through the X-Ray. How about my ear buds? My USB memory sticks? My eye glasses? I won't list all items, but there were more.

In *my* opinion, THAT is a waste of time.

I can possibly help you here.

Batteries are heavy and dense objects, as well as a possible power source for an explosive device. They draw our attention because of these two things.

What it sounds like is that you had what we call at my airport a “busy bag”, meaning one full of objects that were one on top of another obscuring the view of everything in the bag. The x-ray operator is unable to completely visualize the contents of the bag. When bags of that type come through, and they are even more common now days when airlines are charging the fees they are, we remove items from the bag and run them all through the x-ray to try and get a clearer picture. Its quicker than going through a bag by hand, and far less intrusive.

From our point of view, it’s the most efficient method of achieving our goal of ensuring the safety of all the passengers. And now you have more information upon which to base your opinion, I hope it helps.

Now, if they saw something in your wallet that was suspicious or could not be identified, those are reasons to go through or open a wallet. Its pretty rare, and usually because someone has a razor blade in the wallet or the wallet is on top of something else that is causing an unclear picture. We get a 2 dimensional picture of things, and at times its difficult to tell “if” there is something else on top of an item.

As I said initially, there was nothing unusual in my wallet. This exact same wallet, with the exact same contents, has been through airport screening dozens of times with no issues.




Any additional screening must have a reason. Believe it or not, “Random Screening” is a reason, and we do LOTS of that. Sometimes it seems my whole day is doing nothing but, but there is nothing specifically about screening then opening wallets. The wallet would have to contain something not normally found in a wallet (condoms not included), something that could potentially be dangerous.

Ron, I'm a bit unclear here. Are you saying that wallets can be randomly screened, or no?

How does this random screening work? Do the TSOs just choose bags that do not have x-ray anomalies and open them? Are the random bags chosen by a computer or human?

I can possibly help you here.

Batteries are heavy and dense objects, as well as a possible power source for an explosive device. They draw our attention because of these two things.

What it sounds like is that you had what we call at my airport a “busy bag”, meaning one full of objects that were one on top of another obscuring the view of everything in the bag. The x-ray operator is unable to completely visualize the contents of the bag. When bags of that type come through, and they are even more common now days when airlines are charging the fees they are, we remove items from the bag and run them all through the x-ray to try and get a clearer picture. Its quicker than going through a bag by hand, and far less intrusive.

From our point of view, it’s the most efficient method of achieving our goal of ensuring the safety of all the passengers. And now you have more information upon which to base your opinion, I hope it helps.

The answers somewhat make sense. I'll leave the interpretation to the readers.

The TSA at West Palm Beach has to be the worst. There is a female agent there who gives me grief whenever i run into her. The worst of the lot was having her pull me out of line after my bag went thru the conveyor but was still on it in the bin...when i say bag, mean my carry on/handbag and small suit case. She took me to the clear 'groping' room right next to the conveyor. I told her that my purse with my money/wallet/jewelry/medications/etc were on the conveyor and i wanted to get them. She would not listen but seemed to pay great attention to my arm pits, my crotch as far in as she could get without my taking off my clothing. When i kept saying i wanted to get my valuables, she had me turn my back to the conveyor so that i could not see what was happening to it. I am fortunate that the ppl flying that morning were honest because it was still there after she had her fun. This is the only airport where there is a problem. ORD. EWR. CLT no problem but this miserable individual seems to really get into her job. By the time she finished with me i really did need the wheelchair i had come in on to get me the rest of the way to the flight. She had me standing there with my arms first up in the air for quite a while and then out to my sides first with my palms up for a while and then with the palms down and then up again. I still see no reason for this except to antagonize.

I told her that my purse with my money/wallet/jewelry/medications/etc were on the conveyor and i wanted to get them.

When i kept saying i wanted to get my valuables, she had me turn my back to the conveyor so that i could not see what was happening to it.

Most people on here (myself included) would advise you that in this situation the correct response is to be non-cooperative and insist that you will not play along unless and until your belongings remain in your sight. (see this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1343536-what-do-you-do-when-tsa-instructions-result-losing-visual-contact-property.html))

In other words, you don't walk over to the groping area with her until she has collected your belongings and you never take your eyes off of your stuff, even if they instruct you to turn around one way or the other.

The proper protocol is that your belongings are always in your sight at all times. If you are in the groping area, they should be placed on a table in front of whatever direction you are facing.

Allowing you to keep your belongings in your sight is TSA's own policy and you should insist that they follow it. If this particular agent is disregarding this, then escalate it until you find an agent who does play along and if they all refuse, call a LEO.

TSA likes to bluff and act tough and goes crazy when you disregard their instructions and move around inside the checkpoint, but I have yet to see or hear a story about someone getting arrested or otherwise punished for aggressively keeping track of their belongings. In fact, you probably get faster "service" because they can't ignore you.

The way you describe being treated is wrong and you should not have accepted it.

She took me to the clear 'groping' room right next to the conveyor. I told her that my purse with my money/wallet/jewelry/medications/etc were on the conveyor and i wanted to get them. She would not listen but seemed to pay great attention to my arm pits, my crotch as far in as she could get without my taking off my clothing. When i kept saying i wanted to get my valuables, she had me turn my back to the conveyor so that i could not see what was happening to it.

[Snipped to leave necessary descriptive information]

From this page (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/protect.shtm):

Security Best Practices:


If possible, NEVER let your belongings out of your sight - items can be pilfered from or placed into your baggage without your consent.


NEVER pack ANYTHING valuable or fragile in your checked baggage - even if it is locked


ALWAYS carry your own purse, wallet, passport, valuables, etc. - do not entrust them to anyone


ALWAYS watch your belongings as they advance through the x-ray equipment at the security checkpoints - for secondary screening, INSIST that your belongings be brought to you.


BE AWARE of your surroundings, the people around you, and the nearest exits - BE PREPARED!


[Reformatted only. Bold is mine.]

There are two very important things to say in an even and firm voice. Memorize and practice if needed. There is nothing like using their own words.


Your web site says that I should always watch my belongings as they advance through the x-ray equipment at the security checkpoints. For secondary screening, I am to insist that my belongings be brought to me.

If it takes extra time to do this right, that is fine, I have plenty of time.

Most people on here (myself included) would advise you that in this situation the correct response is to be non-cooperative and insist that you will not play along unless and until your belongings remain in your sight. (see this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/checkpoints-borders-policy-debate/1343536-what-do-you-do-when-tsa-instructions-result-losing-visual-contact-property.html))

In other words, you don't walk over to the groping area with her until she has collected your belongings and you never take your eyes off of your stuff, even if they instruct you to turn around one way or the other.

The proper protocol is that your belongings are always in your sight at all times. If you are in the groping area, they should be placed on a table in front of whatever direction you are facing.

Allowing you to keep your belongings in your sight is TSA's own policy and you should insist that they follow it. If this particular agent is disregarding this, then escalate it until you find an agent who does play along and if they all refuse, call a LEO.

TSA likes to bluff and act tough and goes crazy when you disregard their instructions and move around inside the checkpoint, but I have yet to see or hear a story about someone getting arrested or otherwise punished for aggressively keeping track of their belongings. In fact, you probably get faster "service" because they can't ignore you.

The way you describe being treated is wrong and you should not have accepted it.
I am always fearful of having my name put into the computer if i even breathe the wrong way and having to be checked each time for the rest of my life. The mentality or lack of it in w. palm is amazing....a day prior to what turned out to be a rather large hurricane i flew out of town...i took perhaps 2 days of clothing but also all family pictures and my grandparents marriage announcements and all of my jewelry as well as my mothers...i was stopped at security ...although all of the jewelry was in a large clear plastic case and each individual piece in its own clear plastic section the agent picked up each pin, bracelet, earrings etc and held it up to the light as though he was appraising it for insurance purposes...it frightened me to think that so many ppl could see all the valuables i was carrying... as he closed the case as was going to place it back into my bag someone walking by from his side REMINDED him of the one piece he had FORGOTTEN on the table between the case and his body....he then inquired as to why i was carrying all of these things and when i told him there was a category 4 hurricane headed towards us and i was heading out ahead of it. he told me it was odd. sometimes i think they hire these people from groups in front of the gas stations here early in the mornings and tell them to make our lives as uncomfortable as possible...i used to love to travel but now when i sit at the computer to first make the reservations i start feeling nauseated.

I am always fearful of having my name put into the computer if i even breathe the wrong way and having to be checked each time for the rest of my life. The mentality or lack of it in w. palm is amazing....a day prior to what turned out to be a rather large hurricane i flew out of town...i took perhaps 2 days of clothing but also all family pictures and my grandparents marriage announcements and all of my jewelry as well as my mothers...i was stopped at security ...although all of the jewelry was in a large clear plastic case and each individual piece in its own clear plastic section the agent picked up each pin, bracelet, earrings etc and held it up to the light as though he was appraising it for insurance purposes...it frightened me to think that so many ppl could see all the valuables i was carrying... as he closed the case as was going to place it back into my bag someone walking by from his side REMINDED him of the one piece he had FORGOTTEN on the table between the case and his body....he then inquired as to why i was carrying all of these things and when i told him there was a category 4 hurricane headed towards us and i was heading out ahead of it. he told me it was odd. sometimes i think they hire these people from groups in front of the gas stations here early in the mornings and tell them to make our lives as uncomfortable as possible...i used to love to travel but now when i sit at the computer to first make the reservations i start feeling nauseated.

As am I in trying to read your run-on sentences.

Take the advice noted here and move on.

The TSA at West Palm Beach has to be the worst. There is a female agent there who gives me grief whenever i run into her. The worst of the lot was having her pull me out of line after my bag went thru the conveyor but was still on it in the bin...when i say bag, mean my carry on/handbag and small suit case. She took me to the clear 'groping' room right next to the conveyor. I told her that my purse with my money/wallet/jewelry/medications/etc were on the conveyor and i wanted to get them. She would not listen but seemed to pay great attention to my arm pits, my crotch as far in as she could get without my taking off my clothing. When i kept saying i wanted to get my valuables, she had me turn my back to the conveyor so that i could not see what was happening to it. I am fortunate that the ppl flying that morning were honest because it was still there after she had her fun. This is the only airport where there is a problem. ORD. EWR. CLT no problem but this miserable individual seems to really get into her job. By the time she finished with me i really did need the wheelchair i had come in on to get me the rest of the way to the flight. She had me standing there with my arms first up in the air for quite a while and then out to my sides first with my palms up for a while and then with the palms down and then up again. I still see no reason for this except to antagonize.

My solution to this is to stop, and LOUDLY SCREAM "SUPERVISOR". Then when all eyes are back upon us, us meaning me and the screener, I then demand to be able to view all of my possessions before I continue screening.

Once the crowd arrives, explain that you have as much time as it takes for them to ensure safety/security, but that you sensed that there would be a problem with the attitude of the screener. For the benefit of yourself and the employees, you thought it would be best to have witnesses monitor your screening process.

I guarantee that this 'difficult' screener will be more co-operative with eyes upon her. And, if this screener attracts the attention of management often, may even "SELF-MODIFY" their intrusive behaviour. In fact, you could make it a point to select the line that this screener is in....

You have rights.

I am always fearful of having my name put into the computer if i even breathe the wrong way and having to be checked each time for the rest of my life. The mentality or lack of it in w. palm is amazing....a day prior to what turned out to be a rather large hurricane i flew out of town...i took perhaps 2 days of clothing but also all family pictures and my grandparents marriage announcements and all of my jewelry as well as my mothers...i was stopped at security ...although all of the jewelry was in a large clear plastic case and each individual piece in its own clear plastic section the agent picked up each pin, bracelet, earrings etc and held it up to the light as though he was appraising it for insurance purposes...it frightened me to think that so many ppl could see all the valuables i was carrying... as he closed the case as was going to place it back into my bag someone walking by from his side REMINDED him of the one piece he had FORGOTTEN on the table between the case and his body....he then inquired as to why i was carrying all of these things and when i told him there was a category 4 hurricane headed towards us and i was heading out ahead of it. he told me it was odd. sometimes i think they hire these people from groups in front of the gas stations here early in the mornings and tell them to make our lives as uncomfortable as possible...i used to love to travel but now when i sit at the computer to first make the reservations i start feeling nauseated.

They don't put you on any blacklist for resisting a little bit and politely asserting your rights at the checkpoint.

You have to cause a major scene - be escorted out by a cop, bring in a gun, etc etc - for them to take note of who you are.

I was going through security at JFK (a few months ago), a very "trusting" fa ahead of me, placed the necessary stuff in a bin, including loose cash (bills)...with the way many security points operate, this is a sure fire way of never seeing your cash again.

"Duty" to search for WEI, nothing else. Ink on paper or plastic (i.e., text) is not a prohibited item, regardless of the content. How many reports are there of overzealous TSOs going through documents, cards, etc., in wallets, reading the text on those items, and generally engaging in fishing expeditions? The Kathy Parker incident is one of the more serious, but there are many more. In all of these cases the TSOs get away with it and suffer no consequences.

WEI comes in many different forms, some can be hidden in a wallet. As for the rest, well... There are many stories, very few confirmed. A wise man once said, when you hear hoof-beats, think Horses, not Zebra's.

The problem with this statement is that it represents an ideal state of affairs that is frequently not what really happens. The reality is that TSA screeners can, and do, search through travelers' wallets as retaliatory action, fishing expeditions or from outright nosiness. As a practical matter there is absolutely no accountability or discipline for those who do so.

The actual fact is, you believe this to be true because you want it to be. Retaliatory screenings are like Zebra’s, they do indeed exist, but in the USA there really are not that many of them.

Ron, I'm a bit unclear here. Are you saying that wallets can be randomly screened, or no?

Yes, but its unusual.

How does this random screening work? Do the TSOs just choose bags that do not have x-ray anomalies and open them? Are the random bags chosen by a computer or human?

Work? Depends entirely upon your perspective I suppose. Does it catch stuff? Occasionally, yes. Does it prevent terrorists from boarding commercial aircraft? As much as I hate to stoop to anecdotal evidence, well there has not been an attempt on a US Airline at a US airport since the TSA began. Everything is impossible until someone does it, and someday a terrorist will without any doubt what-so-ever board a commercial aircraft in the USA with both the intent and the means to harm that aircraft. And for those who say “Then why try then at all?” I ask “Does your car have breaks?” Life isn’t perfect, and it has its dangers, but why invite them?

The TSA at West Palm Beach has to be the worst.

LOL. I have been involved in conversations like that many times, even among my fellow TSO’s.

I was going through security at JFK (a few months ago), a very "trusting" fa ahead of me, placed the necessary stuff in a bin, including loose cash (bills)...with the way many security points operate, this is a sure fire way of never seeing your cash again.

Only if one subscribes to your theory of the universe. I personally have chased passengers down to return their left-behind belongings, cash included. The one that always gets me is the young lady who forgets one of her shoes. ONE SHOE! IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME! How can someone forget one shoe? Come on, checkpoints can be busy… but really?

I was going through security at JFK (a few months ago), a very "trusting" fa ahead of me, placed the necessary stuff in a bin, including loose cash (bills)...with the way many security points operate, this is a sure fire way of never seeing your cash again.

You know, you might get a lot more out of people if you didn't automatically assume they were going to steal your money. A smile can go a long way.

I don't agree with all of the policies of the TSA but I'm not about ready to go out of my way to make a TSO's life miserable when I go through security especially since said TSO is not a decision maker.

You know, you might get a lot more out of people if you didn't automatically assume they were going to steal your money. A smile can go a long way.

I don't agree with all of the policies of the TSA but I'm not about ready to go out of my way to make a TSO's life miserable when I go through security especially since said TSO is not a decision maker.

(bolding mine)

I disagree. Each and every TSO is a decision maker (as are all pax).

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to bark at me.

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to treat me with respect and in a professional manner.

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to call out fellow employees who lie to or steal from pax or who demonstrate unprofessional behavior in any way.

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to follow the SOP, even if supervisors and managers aren't watching or don't care.

Each TSO makes the decision about whether or not to make passenger's checkpoint experience miserable or not.

The TSOs in HNL, Fayetteville, EWR, LAX, Charlotte, Palm Beach and Ft. Meyers were all decision makers who, according to their own management, made the wrong decisions.

(bolding mine)

I disagree. Each and every TSO is a decision maker (as are all pax).

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to bark at me.

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to treat me with respect and in a professional manner.

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to call out fellow employees who lie to or steal from pax or who demonstrate unprofessional behavior in any way.

Each TSO makes the decision whether or not to follow the SOP, even if supervisors and managers aren't watching or don't care.

Each TSO makes the decision about whether or not to make passenger's checkpoint experience miserable or not.

The TSOs in HNL, Fayetteville, EWR, LAX, Charlotte, Palm Beach and Ft. Meyers were all decision makers who, according to their own management, made the wrong decisions.

Everyone has their 5% who want to be rude and obnoxious. It shouldn't be a reflection on the entire pool. In ATC, we have our 5% who like to snap back at pilots who simply didn't understand something. The pilots, in return, have their 5% of abusive people who like to get snotty. At the end of the day, the majority of people are not trying to make your life miserable.

Everyone has their 5% who want to be rude and obnoxious. It shouldn't be a reflection on the entire pool. In ATC, we have our 5% who like to snap back at pilots who simply didn't understand something. The pilots, in return, have their 5% of abusive people who like to get snotty. At the end of the day, the majority of people are not trying to make your life miserable.

The problem is the disproportionate effect a 'bad' 5% (and I think your numbers are a bit low) have on pax.

One bad TSO can rifle dozens of bags or inflict unduly harsh gropes on dozens of pax or bark at hundreds of pax in one shift.

One 'bad' pax can affect only a few TSOs during transit through the checkpoint - and have no direct effect on baggage-handling TSOs.

Further, a 'rude' or 'obnoxious' TSO is less likely to be focused on the primary mission - ensuring passenger/airplane safety. A 'rude' or 'obnoxious' TSO at the checkpoint may let something or someone by because that leads to great loss of life.

A 'rude' or 'obnoxious' pax is far less likely to be the cause of a disaster. Of course, if the 'rude' or 'obnoxious' pax is part of a plot to distract TSOs from performing their duties, then their own lack of professionalism and inability to stay focused will ultimately be responsible for any disaster.

The TSOs are paid professionals charged with a critical mission. There's no room for even 5% of distracted, non-professional behavior. A 'rude' or 'obnoxious' TSO is one who is not fully focused on the mission, one who is distracted by his/her own personal shortcomings and attitude problems. A 'rude' or 'obnoxious' TSO is one who contributes to a negative and distracting atmosphere at the checkpoint, for both pax and fellow (more professional) TSOs trying to do their job.

The TSOs are paid professionals charged with a critical mission.

I've seen no evidence to support either contention.

WEI comes in many different forms, some can be hidden in a wallet. As for the rest, well... There are many stories, very few confirmed. A wise man once said, when you hear hoof-beats, think Horses, not Zebra's.

When you hear hoof-beats, think Horses, not Zebras.

A wise piece of advice.

When you see someone rifling through your wallet, think Theft, not WEI.

When you see someone rifling through your private papers, think Invasion of Privacy, not Sheet Explosives.

When you see only attractive females being selected for AIT, think Perv, not Random.

Clop-clop. Clop-clop.