Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - What airport has the most aggressive TSA?

What airport has the most aggressive TSA? Based on my limited experience I would put Tulsa, OK (TUL) at or near the top of the list. Examples - My 70 year sweet wife yesterday, with pockets and hands completely empty, got totally felt up coming out of the millimeter machine. She wasn't the only one in the feel up line. My wallet and money inside being closely examined by TSA's likely germ covered hands. My granddaughter's film cans were ordered by TSA to be put in the xray tub rather that be manually inspected as she requested. Checked luggage opened, and no note left, when nothing at all but clothes were inside. Etc. Etc. Yes I know this happens all the time at other airports but it seems to ALWAYS happen in Tulsa.

You should try connecting at CDG! :-) talk about needing hours to get passed security!

CDG not in US not TSA, op no excuse for that:td:

DEN can be great, or it can be awful. MDW can be pretty rough, as can ORD. The worst I've come across to date is EWR, though, and it's not even close.

My experiences at CDG are that they are always thorough but polite and considerate, especially towards families with children, the elderly, and special needs travellers.

In fact, just this week I was enjoying my usual French airport experience and glad that I didn't have to wait in a long queue or be nervous or defend myself as in the US.

Back to TSA discussion, however, as CDG is thankfully not under US control.

Top three violators in my personal experience:
RDU
AUS
SNA

My experience at those three include: TDC's not familiar with accepted IDs. Barkers that refuse to even call an opt-out assist until pat down victims are separated from their bags. Aggressive, retaliatory pat downs. Supervisory TSOs that don't help the situation. TSMs that condone policy/SOP violating behavior. LEOs that have become physical (at RDU a LEO ripped my bags off the X-ray in belt). RDU's STSO just launches into a "disrupting the screening process," diatribe...and be assured they don't like when you turn it on them and explain how they're the ones disrupting the screening :-)

I think it would be easier to ask which has the least aggressive. Since the nation wide rollout of body scanners, it's really changed the dynamic of many checkpoints into more aggressive and negative experiences--especially for anyone that has to opt out. There's airports that were once easy to travel through with friendly screeners that have now become pure misery.

I've also found airports that were once aggressive, have now opened PreCheck lines, and they're instantly the easiest, most pleasant, non-aggressive screening experiences in the world. LGA, for example, was bad. Aggressive, bad with theft of X-ray line items, and a screener supervisory staff that was worse than their screening staff. LGA now has a fantastic screening experience thanks to PreCheck. So when I see them wanting 50-75% of travelers approved for PreCheck I don't mind. I understand there's some basic need for screening, and so far the PreCheck experiences have been a good trade off. I'm sure that I wouldn't name RDU, AUS or SNA if they had PreCheck or WTMD/SDOO availability.

I've found at one of my home airports that complaints have done a little to help, but having a sit down with AFSDs have really improved the screening. They took proactive steps on educating TDCs about all forms of accepted ID, and they've really improved countering the aggressive attitude towards anyone forced to opt-out. Sure, there's bad apples in any bunch, but now having established a direct communications path to their bosses has helped tone down the aggressiveness of front line screening staff. It's the outstations that are tough to travel through.

SAN
PNS
PSP

All come to mind. Haven't had issues at DFW or ORD in years. Seems like the smaller airports are getting worse, possibly because 1) they hire local bullies or 2) they are trying to justify that kind of screening even being there.

SAN
PNS
PSP

All come to mind. Haven't had issues at DFW or ORD in years. Seems like the smaller airports are getting worse, possibly because 1) they hire local bullies or 2) they are trying to justify that kind of screening even being there.

+1 on smaller airports. AVOID MOB at all costs if you can.

+1 on smaller airports. AVOID MOB at all costs if you can.

Well, crud. That was my alternate to PNS, which is becoming ridiculous.

+1 on smaller airports. AVOID MOB at all costs if you can.

Is it still the pervasive smaller airport saving the world attitude, or is it the addition of NoS that's driven it to a point of aggravation with their aggressiveness?

All come to mind. Haven't had issues at DFW or ORD in years. Seems like the smaller airports are getting worse, possibly because 1) they hire local bullies or 2) they are trying to justify that kind of screening even being there.

I think it's more the latter than the former. As a rule, I plan on security taking longer to clear at smaller airports (read: only one or two lanes, minimal mainline carrier presence if any at all). It's not because they're bumbling or inherently inefficient (though many of them are), it's more because they pull more people for randoms and they do more bag searches. I've always assumed that this is because it's easier to hide 100 employees on any given shift who do nothing at a large hub than it is to hide 5 who do nothing at a tiny airport that has more screeners than daily flights.

Well, crud. That was my alternate to PNS, which is becoming ridiculous.

Add GPT to the list of small airports in the area of MOB and PNS to avoid.

My home airport of ROC is the WORST. I only ever have trouble here . BWI,ATL and MIA were a breeze. MIA had the nicest/coolest TDC checker ever!

Add GPT to the list of small airports in the area of MOB and PNS to avoid.

I'm guessing VPS as well? Can anyone confirm that?

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BOS is very bad, at least the AA terminal.

(Cradle of liberty and all.)

I'd like to put in a shout-out for ACY.

Mike

When I first saw this thread a few days ago, I pretty much figured it would turn into something similar to asking who has the smartest child or prettiest baby.

TSA is bad EVERYWHERE.

The worst encounters I have had were RDU and SFO. Everywhere else, I would would categorize the behavior as "annoying but predictable", but those two airports are the only ones where I have filed a complaint due to egregiously power-tripping TSOs.

The worst encounters I have had were RDU and SFO.

SFO is not a TSA-staffed airport.

I'd add another vote for RDU. Since they got their NoS a year or two ago, their clerks have been some of the most obnoxious that I've experienced. Really fires them up when they hear "opt-out".

SFO is not a TSA-staffed airport.


Covenant operates under contract of TSA, it's still the same miserable screening directives just delivered by a different staff as you suggest. My guess is regardless of who provides the smurf outfit, the wearers will end up being the same.

In essence, the government and Covenant are forced to source from the same applicant pool (ie whomever Ralph's, WalMart or The Home Depot reject).

I've been through CLE only twice, and it was not pleasant either time. DTW has also been one that I've avoided since November 2010 after the scanners went into operation. EWR also ranks up there with bad attitude and process.

FNT can be bad too, depending upon who the three-striper supervisor on duty is. Used to be ok / good, but bad attitude comes with NOSs, it seems.

I'll second and third the votes for SFO and RDU.

Earlier this month at SFO the woman manning the entry to the premium line literally stood in the middle of the aisle in front of me and tried to stop me for having 3 bags. I told her it was a medical device and when she asked what kind I politely told her it was none of her f'ing business. They were also checking ID a 2nd time at the x-ray/millimeter machines. When I put my CPAP through (alone in a bin, as per TSA requirements) the screeners put me in the holding pen and started questioning me about it, x-rayed it 3x, and swabbed it for GSR then questioned me on it again before sending me on my way.

IND and CVG can have zealous agents, especially when testing my contact lens solution.

In contrast, this AM in SEA in the Pre-Check line they didn't even look twice at my CPAP and the agent informed me she would put on some new gloves CPAP back in the bag. She thanked me for having it out per procedure and had it back to me before I had finished putting away the CPAP. ^

In essence, the government and Covenant are forced to source from the same applicant pool (ie whomever Ralph's, WalMart or The Home Depot reject).

Let's not start insulting people unnecessarily. Most of the Home Depot employees I've met are pretty adept at home improvement topics. :D

I second SFO. Very rude, often don't know their own procedures, love playing the name game, and very high likelihood of retaliatory searches.

Let's not start insulting people unnecessarily. Most of the Home Depot employees I've met are pretty adept at home improvement topics. :D
.

I agree completely. I've never had a Home Depot employee attempt to rub my testicles or my butt.

Let's not start insulting people unnecessarily. Most of the Home Depot employees I've met are pretty adept at home improvement topics. :D

I second SFO. Very rude, often don't know their own procedures, love playing the name game, and very high likelihood of retaliatory searches.

:)

I'm surprised at the PNS/MOB/GPT negative comments. While I may have had some barker issues at PNS 4 or 5 years ago, haven't experienced that in the past couple of years. There IS that one fat slob who tries to give you the "hard look" while playing line monitor, but he's harmless. Just make some kind of smarta$$ remark to him and he'll go away.

MOB...I don't think it has ever taken me more than 5 minutes from kiosk to gate at MOB. Getting to the airport along Airport Blvd is MUCH more annoying than security.

I use GPT less often, but have never experienced anything untoward there.

The worst encounters I have had were RDU and SFO. Everywhere else, I would would categorize the behavior as "annoying but predictable", but those two airports are the only ones where I have filed a complaint due to egregiously power-tripping TSOs.

I do see a pattern in the thread of small, southern airports seeming to have a little more, 'respect mah authoritah' attitude (with possibly local LEOs backing them up). I'm guessing that most of these folks are the type that was sorry when Jim Crow laws were overturned, not necessarily because they're rascist, but primarily because it decreased the opportunities for degrading another human being to make themselves feel more powerful. <shrug> I don't want to turn this into OMNI territory, though.

Easily the silliest post I've ever seen.

I didn't have any issues last time I went through SFO.

I've had the most problems at JFK, LAX and MCO and mixed at SEA, DFW and ATL.

I was 'written up' at SEA a few years ago for attempting to bring aerosol glass cleaner in my checked luggage. I was told 'the authorities' will be visiting my home to adress this . Never happened. I was also informed that my name would be added to my home airport's watch list. And if anything happened , the cops would pay me a visit. So scared....

MOB...I don't think it has ever taken me more than 5 minutes from kiosk to gate at MOB. Getting to the airport along Airport Blvd is MUCH more annoying than security.



I sure agree with you on the airport blvd & heck imo MOB was not easy to get around. The TSA didn't like the fact that I opted out of the "porno scanner" so they tried to make an example. After going thru the "rub down" imo they lied & said I tested positive for explosives the whole thing over again . I raised h. with them as well as filed an on line complaint. Got standard useless response. I also wrote MOB Chamber of Commerce & they didn't even respond. So .... MOB al together. I'll not spend a dime there again thanks to TSA:mad: To add I had just been to a military event at Pascagoula.

I second the "TSA are bad everywhere" comment, but some are indeed consistently worse than others.

To me the worst offenders have been as follows:

JFK
EWR
LAX - T7 (the others usually fall into the "normal bad" territory)
SFO (CAS is indeed contracted by TSA, and has TSA management)
BZN (usually smaller out-stations are "normal bad" - not this one)

Easily the silliest post I've ever seen.
Perhaps. Definitely not my finest. Re-reading it, it doesn't convey what I wanted to say, and I realize it is probably offensive, so I have redacted it.

I'm going to add DEN to the list. While not overly friendly, they were much better before the NoS arrived. Since we've gotten NoS to cover almost every lane at our three checkpoints, their behavior has steadily gotten worse.

Looking forward to my return to MCI in two months. All but the DL & WN checkpoints have BKSX.. The rest are WTMD only :cool:

What airport has the most aggressive TSA? Based on my limited experience I would put Tulsa, OK (TUL) at or near the top of the list. Yes I know this happens all the time at other airports but it seems to ALWAYS happen in Tulsa.

I didn't have any issues last time I went through SFO.

I've had the most problems at JFK, LAX and MCO and mixed at SEA, DFW and ATL.

I must just have that dumb stupid luck thing going in Tulsa. I fly out of there every few weeks, it's my hometown and I make frequent trips to see my 90 year old Dad. I never have difficulties at TUL, I opt out there and everywhere else too. I have had issues at all of the airports Himeno mentions along with DEN. Denver and Seattle seem to hate it when you opt out. My DFW issues ended when I got trusted traveler, so far it's green.

I was 'written up' at SEA a few years ago for attempting to bring aerosol glass cleaner in my checked luggage. I was told 'the authorities' will be visiting my home to adress this . Never happened. I was also informed that my name would be added to my home airport's watch list. And if anything happened , the cops would pay me a visit. So scared....Would you mind satisfying my curiosity and telling us why you had glass cleaner in your luggage?

FWIW if it was ammonia based, I think that is a prohibited substance on aircraft. I know it's prohibited in commercial moving vans which travel interstate (which is why my former neighbor inherited a whole bin of cleaning supplies).

I second the "TSA are bad everywhere" comment, but some are indeed consistently worse than others.

To me the worst offenders have been as follows:

JFK
EWR
LAX - T7 (the others usually fall into the "normal bad" territory)
SFO (CAS is indeed contracted by TSA, and has TSA management)
BZN (usually smaller out-stations are "normal bad" - not this one)

I go through T8 (AA) at JFK often, and I am annoyed at the screaming (at pax) by TSA agents, the system is much more civil in the evening (they don't play the "name" game, and the X-ray (of pax) machines are generally not in use). Since I'm in the pre-check system, I've gotten to use that line for all my domestic flts.

I vote for:

MCO
BOS
PHL
PWM
JFK
EWR
LAX

JFK T5
i have quit flying jet blue due to the utter ridiculousness of the TSA situation in T5. among my beefs:


i have never seen more than 5 or 6 of the 17 checkpoints open
every spot (except 1 and 2 i think) has a nude-o-scope
retaliatory delays for opt-outs are endless
TSOs are not only rude and aggressive, but perform every action in slow motion




DTW
if you want to see a crew of blue shirts who do nothing but SCREAM, then DTW is your place. they act like they are drill sergeants and we are all recruits. they attitude is crap and their behavior is atrocious.

Denver and Seattle seem to hate it when you opt out.

I can't vouch for Seattle, but I can say that opting out in Denver is one of the quickest ways to make a maybe-painless interaction there very painful. In all the times I opted out there, the retaliatory delay was always five minutes or more, the one-striper manning the MMW would always find some reason to shout at you and keep you separated from your belongings, and karate chops were to be expected--especially if you told them you had any sensitive or painful areas. There are a few screeners there that I remember well, and actually asked for a different screener once when one came over to perform my pat-down. When I explained to the supervisor that it was because he had open-palm grabbed my genitals in the past, the supervisor looked at me like I was an idiot, accused me of lying, and said he'd be more than happy to watch the screening himself, or he could have a LEO come over because I was interfering with the screening process. I received four karate chops, but no open-palming, and a three-striper telling me that he felt the screening had been professionally-handled, and that he'd need to see my boarding pass and ID if I felt differently.

I've had other run-ins there, one in particular involving a "freedom baggie" being labeled as such, and one when, after waiting ten minutes for a pat-down, I told the one-striper that I had counted no fewer than twelve male screeners sitting around doing nothing, and if one of them didn't show up within the next couple of minutes to do my pat-down, I would be gathering my belongings and going to my gate. She didn't like that. ;)

Would you mind satisfying my curiosity and telling us why you had glass cleaner in your luggage?

FWIW if it was ammonia based, I think that is a prohibited substance on aircraft. I know it's prohibited in commercial moving vans which travel interstate (which is why my former neighbor inherited a whole bin of cleaning supplies).

I use it to clean my glasses and the normally dity rental windshield.

ATL, DEN, and PHX all suck.

ATL, DEN, and PHX all suck.

DEN can be good or bad, depending on who's working that shift. Never gone through security in ATL, but PHX T3 is usually ok in my experience. Seems like the screeners who have access to the BKSX have bigger egos about them.

RDU
AUS
a vote for IAD (especially the "aggressive" part)
DTW

I've been harassed at MHT and will not fly in there anymore. PHX is confrontational and aggressive and opt-outs get extra abuse. IAD is slow and stupid. I guess those are my top three. I don't visit RDU but have always been curious about what's in the drinking water there based on the stories.

DTW for their war on skirts
IAD for how they treat 'furriners' (as well as non-furriners)
MCI for taking TSA rules and enhancing them even further
LAS for being agressive, and having the volume on extra-loud
MCO for all around stupidity in an airport which would already be a nightmare with all those inexperienced and families
EWR for general attitude (SAT comes a close second)

I could go on, but all of those are places where the usual loud, aggressive, threatening behaviour was regularly above what it is at other US airports.

I can't vouch for Seattle, but I can say that opting out in Denver is one of the quickest ways to make a maybe-painless interaction there very painful.

Definitely agree. DEN has been my worst by far. The opt-outs I had there ranged from benign (once) to downright aggressive and unplesant (most of the time). I went through DEN about monthly over a stretch of 8 months in 2011/2012. I tend to fly off-peak, but by the last couple trips, I booked peak, simply because I found that the WN checkpoint had a WTMD that you could self direct to during busy times. I'd love to know if it is still a bad experience opting out there.

I must just have that dumb stupid luck thing going in Tulsa. I fly out of there every few weeks, it's my hometown and I make frequent trips to see my 90 year old Dad. I never have difficulties at TUL, I opt out there and everywhere else too. I have had issues at all of the airports Himeno mentions along with DEN. Denver and Seattle seem to hate it when you opt out. My DFW issues ended when I got trusted traveler, so far it's green.

TUL, ranked #1 by me as the most aggressive on my list, now has added a TSA butch who seems to stop and feel up every curvy female coming through the millimeter line. I saw it happen over and over again while getting re-dressed after the TUL goons, I mean "officers" had their feel up fun with my DW and me even just a few weeks ago. I can see the argument that small airports may tend to be the most aggressive. That said TSA at LAX Terminal 7 is #2 on my list and FLL has moved up to #3.

Flew out of DTW about a month ago, and it was awful. They were segregating single travelers out for chatdowns ... and not of the advertised "casual" kind, either. It was more like a full-blown interrogation. Tried to talk to a DL customer service agent about it, and she couldn't have cared less. They also did bag checks at the gate.

ATL is a mixed bag. Last time I flew it was clear sailing except for a love note in my checked luggage. A time or two before that, it was all barking and "random" secondary swab checks.

Flew out of DTW about a month ago, and it was awful. They were segregating single travelers out for chatdowns ... and not of the advertised "casual" kind, either. It was more like a full-blown interrogation. Tried to talk to a DL customer service agent about it, and she couldn't have cared less. They also did bag checks at the gate.

ATL is a mixed bag. Last time I flew it was clear sailing except for a love note in my checked luggage. A time or two before that, it was all barking and "random" secondary swab checks.

The 'barking' is sad.

One of our 'good apple' resident TSOs (IIRC, it was HSVTSO Dean) went to ATL for training sometime last year. I believe what he says about his own airport, but I also think perhaps he thought we exaggerated somewhat about the 'barking'.

IIRC, while working the ATL checkpoint, he actually tried to educate a skeptical supervisor and fellow TSOs, by demonstrating that talking in a normal voice to an individual pax was more effective (not to mention, contributed to a more relaxed checkpoint atmosphere for both pax and TSOs).

People tune out the barking; bark louder, people talk louder, turn the volume on headphones up, get better at tuning you out. Make eye contact and address someone in a normal tone of voice and you are much more likely to get heard.

Sounds like his lessons didn't stick. Of course, bullies like to shout at those they think are beneath them. So much for the DHS/TSA 'partnership'.

What airport has the most aggressive TSA? Based on my limited experience I would put Tulsa, OK (TUL) at or near the top of the list. Examples - My 70 year sweet wife yesterday, with pockets and hands completely empty, got totally felt up coming out of the millimeter machine. She wasn't the only one in the feel up line. My wallet and money inside being closely examined by TSA's likely germ covered hands. My granddaughter's film cans were ordered by TSA to be put in the xray tub rather that be manually inspected as she requested. Checked luggage opened, and no note left, when nothing at all but clothes were inside. Etc. Etc. Yes I know this happens all the time at other airports but it seems to ALWAYS happen in Tulsa.

Definitely ORD. Six karate chops to the labia during one "pat down". Sexual assault? I think so.

You should try connecting at CDG! :-) talk about needing hours to get passed security!

Hours? You're a very reasonable person. ;)

TUL, ranked #1 by me as the most aggressive on my list, now has added a TSA butch who seems to stop and feel up every curvy female coming through the millimeter line. I saw it happen over and over again while getting re-dressed after the TUL goons, I mean "officers" had their feel up fun with my DW and me even just a few weeks ago. I can see the argument that small airports may tend to be the most aggressive. That said TSA at LAX Terminal 7 is #2 on my list and FLL has moved up to #3.

Who does that? Sick. The sordid sh*t that goes down in deadbeat Tulsa.... it'll be quite the day when the last inherit the kingdom!