Checkpoints and Borders Policy Debate - Barkers at FAT...with a twist

This morning at FAT, I was literally the only person going through the checkpoint. Only person standing between the entrance to the flashlight brigade and the exit. Still, it was necessary to have 2, not 1 but 2, barkers hollering about shoes, liquids, belts, and :rolleyes: keeping your boarding pass out. total of (by my count) 8 TSclerks to patdown little old me.

Thousands Standing Around:rolleyes:

This morning at FAT, I was literally the only person going through the checkpoint. Only person standing between the entrance to the flashlight brigade and the exit. Still, it was necessary to have 2, not 1 but 2, barkers hollering about shoes, liquids, belts, and :rolleyes: keeping your boarding pass out. total of (by my count) 8 TSclerks to patdown little old me.

A few years ago on a very early departure out of SFO, our ears were assaulted by a member of Team SFO using a bull horn to make similar announcements as he stood no farther than 15-20 feet away. :rolleyes:

I suppose he was rehearsing on the 10 or so of us in line so he could perform for the crowds later. :p

I certainly hope that if you had some extra time to kill this morning, you shared your opinion with them. Nothing drives a barker more crazy than someone talking back in a calm and rational way and it would seem like you had a valid opportunity to question them on the necessity of the whole scene.

you had a valid opportunity to question them on the necessity of the whole scene.

Never try and teach a pig to sing. It just wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Meh... I arrive prepared, ignore the barkers and just want
to get through the whole charade and be on my way.

Meh... I arrive prepared, ignore the barkers and just want to get through the whole charade and be on my way.

Good way to get a retaliatory rapedown in DEN. The barkers here largely bark directly at you, rather than at the air in general, and you can expect to have someone walk over as you're about to put your belongings through X-Ray and shout, "DO YOU HAVE YOUR LIQUIDS OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR POCKETS EMPTY AND YOUR SHOES AND BELT OFF?"

Failure to respond prompts another round of shouting in your ear. Ignoring them a second time and/or asking if the screaming is necessary/if they're blind prompts the "magic button" for a random being pressed.

Good way to get a retaliatory rapedown in DEN. The barkers here largely bark directly at you, rather than at the air in general, and you can expect to have someone walk over as you're about to put your belongings through X-Ray and shout, "DO YOU HAVE YOUR LIQUIDS OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR POCKETS EMPTY AND YOUR SHOES AND BELT OFF?"

Sounds like another excellent reason to avoid DEN entirely. Historically, they ain't too bright, and they're just plain rude. (http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28773212/detail.html)

Good way to get a retaliatory rapedown in DEN. The barkers here largely bark directly at you, rather than at the air in general, and you can expect to have someone walk over as you're about to put your belongings through X-Ray and shout, "DO YOU HAVE YOUR LIQUIDS OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR POCKETS EMPTY AND YOUR SHOES AND BELT OFF?"

Failure to respond prompts another round of shouting in your ear. Ignoring them a second time and/or asking if the screaming is necessary/if they're blind prompts the "magic button" for a random being pressed.

This is why I just plan on being patted down anyway. They only "win" if I let myself get intimidated or inconvenienced by the security process . I "win" when I stand up to them and question them and push back against the bullying to as great a degree as I possibly can.

I recognize that one little act isn't going to change the system or change the barker's mind, but it does wonders for my own self-respect.

I recognize that one little act isn't going to change the system or change the barker's mind, but it does wonders for my own self-respect.

The sad bit is that the barker doesn't have any.

Good way to get a retaliatory rapedown in DEN. The barkers here largely bark directly at you, rather than at the air in general, and you can expect to have someone walk over as you're about to put your belongings through X-Ray and shout, "DO YOU HAVE YOUR LIQUIDS OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR POCKETS EMPTY AND YOUR SHOES AND BELT OFF?"

Failure to respond prompts another round of shouting in your ear. Ignoring them a second time and/or asking if the screaming is necessary/if they're blind prompts the "magic button" for a random being pressed.

Yes GREAT. I am not even american but I had this done to me.
I dont have a laptop and/or cellphone.

You should have seen their faces. They looked at me without any more words for some time.
Then it came out really.

In those situations, I have always wanted to shout back, "WHAT???!! WHAT???!!! SORRY I CANNOT HEAR YOU!!!! CAN YOU PLEASE SAY IT LOUDER????!!!!!!!!!

In those situations, I have always wanted to shout back, "WHAT???!! WHAT???!!! SORRY I CANNOT HEAR YOU!!!! CAN YOU PLEASE SAY IT LOUDER????!!!!!!!!!

"Uh, I'm sorry, were you talking to me?" works good as well.

I certainly hope that if you had some extra time to kill this morning, you shared your opinion with them. Nothing drives a barker more crazy than someone talking back in a calm and rational way and it would seem like you had a valid opportunity to question them on the necessity of the whole scene.

We had some level of erm...disagreement? It may have had something to do with my general dismissive and patronizing tone. However that was about something separate...needing to carry my boarding pass with me instead of in my bag in the xray where I prefer it. they wouldn't let me through without it...even though I was opting out, even though I never showed it to anyone they were insistent I have a piece of paper in my hand. That got them a nice talking to about making sure they knew there own rules, and a rather impolite 'have a nice day sir'

I should have mentioned when I flew out the previous Friday I had a minor verbal exchange with the child (he was like 15 I swear) doing my pat down. I made it clear I knew the speech and didn't need it just hurry up. He insisted on giving me the speech...and was very very wrong. Did not appreciate when I corrected him on the wording.

This morning at FAT, I was literally the only person going through the checkpoint. Only person standing between the entrance to the flashlight brigade and the exit. Still, it was necessary to have 2, not 1 but 2, barkers hollering about shoes, liquids, belts, and :rolleyes: keeping your boarding pass out. total of (by my count) 8 TSclerks to patdown little old me.

Better tell TSA that I said 'Be Quiet!" and no barking on those passengers. They already know the rules.

In those situations, I have always wanted to shout back, "WHAT???!! WHAT???!!! SORRY I CANNOT HEAR YOU!!!! CAN YOU PLEASE SAY IT LOUDER????!!!!!!!!!

I once told a barker next to me "Shhh, let's use our inside voices". It made about 5 people behind me laugh. The barker was not amused.

What gets annoying is having the expediter ask if I have my liquids and laptop out when...I took my freedom baggie and laptop out right in front of them.

I once told a barker next to me "Shhh, let's use our inside voices". It made about 5 people behind me laugh. The barker was not amused.

I love this. ^^^^

I once told a barker next to me "Shhh, let's use our inside voices". It made about 5 people behind me laugh. The barker was not amused.

I need to use that myself next time.

I need to use that myself next time.

Or you could try yelling back at them in the same voice.

After the barker cries out, "DO YOU HAVE YOUR LIQUIDS OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR POCKETS EMPTY AND YOUR SHOES AND BELT OFF?" just respond "YES I DO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH" in your loudest voice.

Or you could try yelling back at them in the same voice.

After the barker cries out, "DO YOU HAVE YOUR LIQUIDS OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP OUT? DO YOU HAVE YOUR POCKETS EMPTY AND YOUR SHOES AND BELT OFF?" just respond "YES I DO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH" in your loudest voice.

Or you could use a response from "Full Metal Jacket" SIR, YES SIR!!! I would hesitate to use the honorific "sir", though.

I would hesitate to use the honorific "sir", though.

Decline. "Honorifics" should be reserved for people who deserve them.