Practical Travel Safety Issues - #$%^&* SFO TSA contractors

I've been going through SFO roughly every other week for the last two years or so. This is the first time I've had a problem.

Elite side at UA domestic was closed, so I was in with Kettles. As we approached the WTMD there was a lineup of people waiting to go through, so I held back my bags and tubs on the conveyor. The x-ray scanner operator said, "Sir, please push your bags through the scanner." I said, very politely, that I would not until the line thins a bit and I can walk through with my belongings. She then said, "Then you'll have to get out of line and let someone else put there bags through."

I had had a bad day. I was not in the mood. I smiled, looked right at her and said pleasantly, "May I see a supervisor please?" She said, "I'll call one."

About this time the line had caught up, I pushed my bags and tubs through and went through the WTMD. Just as I got through the other side I heard those magic words, "BAG CHECK!!!" Gee, what a surprise -- the same bag that has been through SFO screening, conservatively, 20-30 times and never required a bag check was getting checked. And, as icing on the cake, so was my computer!

Two TSA sub-contractors came to take away my possessions and I asked, nicely, that they keep everything in my sight and get me a supervisor.

They did their inspections and, I think, were surprised I didn't make any fuss. My problem wasn't with them.

After a while, a woman came up an identified herself as the line lead or some such and said, "In defense of my colleague, this was a cluttered bag." I said, "Really? And is that also a cluttered computer?" I explained to her what had started everything and she looked at another TSO and moved away just as the supervisor came up. I told him I wanted a complaint form and badge numbers. After I explained to him what happened, he went to get one and eventually returned (he tried to pawn off the website on me). When he returned, I asked him whether SFO TSA was still a private contractor. He said it was. I said that I was shocked because the SFO station was always the most professional and troublefree in the system. I told him that what happened tonight was more like the usual TSA BS. He apologized and just then the lead came up and said they were pulling the tape. Good, I thought, maybe I've accomplished something.

At which point the supervisor said, "We're going to investigate, so I have to have your boarding pass and some identification." I said, "No, you don't." He repeated his request. I said, "Look, I'm a lawyer. I know my 4th and 5th Amendment rights, and they apply here as well as anywhere else. I'm not giving you identification and I"m not showing you my boarding unless you have a reason beyond, 'that's our policy when we fill out a report.'"

He said, "Okay, you don't have to give it me."

And with that I retreated to the RCC and my favorite bartender where I have been enjoying a couple of screwdrivers while I write this.

Don't surrender to the power monkeys. Know your rights and stand firm.

Well done! ^

I doubt if I would have the equanimity to pull that off.

I owe you a drink the next time we meet. I'll even drive to SFO for that pleasure.

Good job sticking it to the TSA... once again they show themselves as power hungry idiots, who failed at their attempt to get a job at McDonalds, so as a backup plan they went for TSA...

Good job sticking it to the TSA... once again they show themselves as power hungry idiots, who failed at their attempt to get a job at McDonalds, so as a backup plan they went for TSA...

But, they're not TSA.

But, they're not TSA.

They operate at the pleasure of DHS, to TSA standards,

Team SFO is usually the best of he best. PTravel probably got a TSA refugee who hadn't had the time to be rehabilitated..

Sorry OP had too go through that but getting them to pull the tapes is a good sign.

They operate at the pleasure of DHS, to TSA standards,

Team SFO is usually the best of he best. PTravel probably got a TSA refugee who hadn't had the time to be rehabilitated..

I think you meant it was different security companies but, its not federalization at SFO. I knows it was security companies name is Covenant Claims Security but, it was different company where they are privatized security. So look it up the website. So here it is:

http://www.covenantclaims.com/b.asp?action=5

Hope this is your helps. Thanks! :)

Folks, we removed some of the posts here that were mocking the TSA as a group.

Just as a reminder, it's OK to be critical of TSA/DHS public officials or a specific TSO (as long as they aren't FT'ers).

For example, "Kip Hawley is an idiot" and the "TSO I ran into at ORD yesterday was a jerk" are both acceptable.

What's no longer acceptable is a blanket statement about all TSO's as being morons, no better than burger-flippers, Walmart greeters, etc.

Many contributors to this forum are TSO's and such blanket condemnation of the TSA creates a hostile environment.

And it's hostile enough around here anyway. ;)

Thanks for your cooperation.


__________________________

Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator

well done PTravel ^^^, you handled it the way one should. don't get mad and start yelling but simply play by the rules and call the tsa (or in this case, a tsa subcontractor) on their own rules (and point out their own mistakes (gee, i forgot to take my laptop out of the bag and no one caught it)


But, they're not TSA.but they are governed by, and must follow all (n.b. all), the tsa sop and as such.

well done PTravel ^^^, you handled it the way one should. don't get mad and start yelling but simply play by the rules and call the tsa (or in this case, a tsa subcontractor) on their own rules (and point out their own mistakes (gee, i forgot to take my laptop out of the bag and no one caught it)As it happens, I had a tube of toothpaste in my toiletry kit that I completely forgot about -- needless to say, they missed it.

I think you meant it was different security companies but, its not federalization at SFO. I knows it was security companies name is Covenant Claims Security but, it was different company where they are privatized security. So look it up the website. So here it is:

http://www.covenantclaims.com/b.asp?action=5

Hope this is your helps. Thanks! :)I've always found the contracted TSOs at SFO to be efficient, pleasant, professional and reasonable. This is, literally, the only problem I've ever had with them. This incident aside, they are a model for how TSOs should act throughout the system.

Folks, we removed some of the posts here that were mocking the TSA as a group.

Just as a reminder, it's OK to be critical of TSA/DHS public officials or a specific TSO (as long as they aren't FT'ers).

For example, "Kip Hawley is an idiot" and the "TSO I ran into at ORD yesterday was a jerk" are both acceptable.

What's no longer acceptable is a blanket statement about all TSO's as being morons, no better than burger-flippers, Walmart greeters, etc.

Many contributors to this forum are TSO's and such blanket condemnation of the TSA creates a hostile environment.

And it's hostile enough around here anyway. ;)

Thanks for your cooperation.


__________________________

Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator

^ All though I am not a TSO, I thank you for bringing this up.

Folks, we removed some of the posts here that were mocking the TSA as a group.

Just as a reminder, it's OK to be critical of TSA/DHS public officials or a specific TSO (as long as they aren't FT'ers).

For example, "Kip Hawley is an idiot" and the "TSO I ran into at ORD yesterday was a jerk" are both acceptable.

What's no longer acceptable is a blanket statement about all TSO's as being morons, no better than burger-flippers, Walmart greeters, etc.

Many contributors to this forum are TSO's and such blanket condemnation of the TSA creates a hostile environment.

And it's hostile enough around here anyway. ;)

Thanks for your cooperation.


__________________________

Cholula
Travel Safety/Security Forum Moderator

Well, is it okay if I say that the majority of the TSOs that I have encountered in my various travels lately, have been quite pathetic?

I've been told by some major airports for instance, that a convertible screwdriver I have (under 7" by the way) is acceptable, while some small airports say it is a drill bit...

I've taken my emptied out in the line water bottle that I drank right in front of the TSO through security in some places, refilling it just outside security afterwards... yet in some places, they force me to throw away the EMPTY bottle, stating it is larger then 3oz... can we have some consistency here???

In some places, I've been told to put both of my laptops into the same bin, while most of them have wanted the laptops in seperate bins... another issue with consistency...

At least in fast food places, they make my quarter pounder with cheese the same way every time... hence the comment that most TSA are fast food rejects!

As it happens, I had a tube of toothpaste in my toiletry kit that I completely forgot about -- needless to say, they missed it.i'm telling uncle kippie on you...... :D

PTravel: I had an issue with a SFO screener on the international side. I wrote to a few people, including SFO's deputy director for Covenant Security, which is the contractor there. I was quite impressed that she called me several times until she reached me and did seem to take my complaints seriously, even noting that one item in my description that I hadn't complained about was also a procedural violation. She did leave me feeling that my complaint was not in vain and, while she obviously couldn't give me specifics, would be "handled" with the involved screener. She also gave me her direct number should I ever have problems again. Feel free to PM me if you'd like her email.

I've run into a similar situation, where I place my bags on the X-ray belt and am encouraged to walk right through the metal detector before the bags are inside the X-ray machine. I obviously don't want my bags to be separated from me, so what I do is remain on the outside of the metal detector watching my bags until they go into the machine.

I simply don't make eye contact with the TSO at the metal detector until my bags go through. That way, he won't force me to walk until I'm sure my bags are safely inside the machine and cannot be grabbed by somebody.

Well, is it okay if I say that the majority of the TSOs that I have encountered in my various travels lately, have been quite pathetic?


Yeah, that's a fair enough comment.

We just don't want to paint every TSO with the same broad brush as there are undoubtedly some good ones.

Particularly the ones who post here in TS/S. :)

Yeah, that's a fair enough comment.

We just don't want to paint every TSO with the same broad brush as there are undoubtedly some good ones.

Particularly the ones who post here in TS/S. :)

Yeah, there have been quite a few good ones who I have interacted with, especially those who recognize me in my home airport and just do their job.

It is those who don't know policy, don't care what policy is, or who make up their own policy, that I have an issue with, and who when confronted, won't just back down and admit they are wrong, but continue to stand their ground, citing national security, when they are clueless.

A drill bit and a screwdriver bit are two very different items... but to one screener in MFE and her supervisor for instance, are DEADLY CONTRABAND and the same thing... that issue was already dealt with and actually did receive word back from the TSA person who dealt with the matter and have not had the issue since... even though I do say that the glare from the TSO each time I pass her checkpoint now, does let me know she WAS reprimanded for her failure to budge when she was clearly in the wrong... so glad the system works at least :)

I simply don't make eye contact with the TSO at the metal detector until my bags go through. That way, he won't force me to walk until I'm sure my bags are safely inside the machine and cannot be grabbed by somebody.
"Sorry -- company policy. Have to watch all the bags go through before I enter the metal detector or I could get fired."

Works nicely.

"Sorry -- company policy. Have to watch all the bags go through before I enter the metal detector or I could get fired."

Works nicely."Will you take personal responsibility for any losses that might occur due to me being separated from my possessions?"

wrong thread

"Sorry -- company policy. Have to watch all the bags go through before I enter the metal detector or I could get fired."

Works nicely.

Is that backwards? That policy actually would allow you to push the bags through first, watch them go through (while the metal detector line is backed up), and then enter the metal detector 5 minutes later. Meanwhile, anyone can steal your stuff on the other side of the X-ray.

But I thought the OP's point was for the bags not to go through the X-ray before he entered the metal detector.

wrong thread

Hope you found the right one! :)

"Will you take personal responsibility for any losses that might occur due to me being separated from my possessions?"

If you get the contractors that the OP is #$%&ing at, they would probably pull you aside for secondary screening and a bag check, for asking a question like that.