Wallet Grab in Austin: "It's Procedure."
Jul 24, 2012, 2:34 pm
#16
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Same here. No loose anything except for shoes, laptop, and Kippie Bag through the x-ray, with only ID and BP on my person. TSA are PITAs enough to deal with. No need to add another potential item of contention (not to blame the OP, of course).
Jul 24, 2012, 6:52 pm
#18
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I usually put the ID and BP in my carry-on as well. I know there are airports/checkpoints out there that require you to keep it out, but I've yet to encounter one.
Jul 24, 2012, 7:54 pm
#19
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I was the only passenger at the checkpoint this week at about 430am.
The young ID-checker at the podium is friendly enough and we chat about how I've never seen this checkpoint so quiet. Then, out of nowhere, we have to play the name game. He eyes my license and tells me to recite my name. I am so caught off guard by this that I actually do it.
I move on to the checkpoint. MMW scanner. Been up working all night, too tired to opt out. I hold my wallet in my hand, stand in the blender with arms up, and exit.
A burly white male TSO announces: "I have to inspect your wallet."
Me: "Why?"
TSO #1: "I have to inspect your wallet.'
Me: "I need to know why."
TSO #2, aggressive African-American female: "Procedure."
Me, mildly: "That's not really an answer."
TSO #1: "You don't think that's an answer, huh? You brought your wallet through the scanner, I have to look inside it."
Me: "What will you be looking for?"
TSO #2, voice rising: "It's procedure!"
I hand my wallet over. TSO #1 opens and shuts it in about one second, barely glancing inside, and hands it back.
The young ID-checker at the podium is friendly enough and we chat about how I've never seen this checkpoint so quiet. Then, out of nowhere, we have to play the name game. He eyes my license and tells me to recite my name. I am so caught off guard by this that I actually do it.
I move on to the checkpoint. MMW scanner. Been up working all night, too tired to opt out. I hold my wallet in my hand, stand in the blender with arms up, and exit.
A burly white male TSO announces: "I have to inspect your wallet."
Me: "Why?"
TSO #1: "I have to inspect your wallet.'
Me: "I need to know why."
TSO #2, aggressive African-American female: "Procedure."
Me, mildly: "That's not really an answer."
TSO #1: "You don't think that's an answer, huh? You brought your wallet through the scanner, I have to look inside it."
Me: "What will you be looking for?"
TSO #2, voice rising: "It's procedure!"
I hand my wallet over. TSO #1 opens and shuts it in about one second, barely glancing inside, and hands it back.
Jul 24, 2012, 10:40 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
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If I were a guy, a couple of 'man-handling' incidents might convince me the drive wasn't so bad.
Jul 24, 2012, 10:54 pm
#22
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With AUS on the south side of the city and SAT on the north side, I would guess it only makes an hour difference. Not so different from DFW-DAL or IAH-HOU, depending on traffic, especially if you are in town for several days.
If I were a guy, a couple of 'man-handling' incidents might convince me the drive wasn't so bad.
If I were a guy, a couple of 'man-handling' incidents might convince me the drive wasn't so bad.
I know people that drive up to nearly 500 miles instead of flying now just to avoid repeats of unpleasant TSA encounters. In fact, I know a business man who just did the Houston-OKC in about 7 hours to avoid it. Happens everyday.
I've read on here certain people use WTMD airports only and do drive some distances to get to those.
Jul 24, 2012, 11:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
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It's almost 80 miles and IH-35 can be parking lot sometimes but your point is still well taken.
I know people that drive up to nearly 500 miles instead of flying now just to avoid repeats of unpleasant TSA encounters. In fact, I know a business man who just did the Houston-OKC in about 7 hours to avoid it. Happens everyday.
I've read on here certain people use WTMD airports only and do drive some distances to get to those.
I know people that drive up to nearly 500 miles instead of flying now just to avoid repeats of unpleasant TSA encounters. In fact, I know a business man who just did the Houston-OKC in about 7 hours to avoid it. Happens everyday.
I've read on here certain people use WTMD airports only and do drive some distances to get to those.
CRP kills me because it's X-ray scanning as the primary screening technique, which means an opt-out every time, and they've started to play the name game. But driving 7-8 hours for a weekend with the family almost never makes sense.
So I opt out and plead the fifth (as giving the wrong name could incriminate me) and we muddle through. The agents have started to remember me, so it's less hassle every time.
Jul 25, 2012, 8:05 am
#24
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Jul 25, 2012, 8:45 am
#25
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Jul 25, 2012, 8:49 am
#26
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I drive to AUS or HOU, but fly to CRP, so I haven't driven AUS-SAT in several years. But, yeah, I remember it taking more than an hour. Maybe Perry will get his toll-road built soon.
CRP kills me because it's X-ray scanning as the primary screening technique, which means an opt-out every time, and they've started to play the name game. But driving 7-8 hours for a weekend with the family almost never makes sense. So I opt out and plead the fifth (as giving the wrong name could incriminate me) and we muddle through. The agents have started to remember me, so it's less hassle every time.
CRP kills me because it's X-ray scanning as the primary screening technique, which means an opt-out every time, and they've started to play the name game. But driving 7-8 hours for a weekend with the family almost never makes sense.
So I opt out and plead the fifth (as giving the wrong name could incriminate me) and we muddle through. The agents have started to remember me, so it's less hassle every time.
Jul 25, 2012, 8:54 am
#27
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Jul 25, 2012, 10:02 am
#28
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Jul 25, 2012, 10:05 am
#29
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Back to the OP:
It's too bad the cameras weren't working that day, especially since TSA has recently shown how quick and easy it is for them to review footage if they actually want to.
If the cameras had been working, it would have been interesting to see how the TSOs would explain the footage to a manager/FSD.
Was the single leg 'grope' to resolve an anomaly? What sort of anomaly runs all the way up the leg to the 'crotch'?
Was the single leg 'grope' a half-arsed, incomplete, random 'patdown'? Then the screener should be punished for failing to complete the patdown, thus putting the public at risk. Who knows what the pax might have had concealed on the rest of his body?
Or does 'random patdown' now mean 'random body part patdown'?
It's too bad the cameras weren't working that day, especially since TSA has recently shown how quick and easy it is for them to review footage if they actually want to.
If the cameras had been working, it would have been interesting to see how the TSOs would explain the footage to a manager/FSD.
Was the single leg 'grope' to resolve an anomaly? What sort of anomaly runs all the way up the leg to the 'crotch'?
Was the single leg 'grope' a half-arsed, incomplete, random 'patdown'? Then the screener should be punished for failing to complete the patdown, thus putting the public at risk. Who knows what the pax might have had concealed on the rest of his body?
Or does 'random patdown' now mean 'random body part patdown'?
Jul 25, 2012, 10:30 am
#30
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