TSA and Their Drills
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver CO
Programs: HHonors Gold, National Emerald Club, no airline affinity status
Posts: 3,349
TSA and Their Drills
I was working at DEN the other morning when 2 TSA members came right in and started searching for someone. I asked them who they were looking for? They gave me a vague response and went back to their search. They checked all of our spaces except our back room, where if someone wanted to hide would be an easy place to. Then suddenly walked out. About 20 minutes later, a different TSA member came in and started looking around. I told him 2 of his coworkers were just in here and if he told me who he was looking for, I could tell him if I had even seen her. He replied, "A women in jeans and a hoodie." Then he whispered under his breath "we are doing a drill." Ahh...well, that explains a lot. Then he left (still didn't check our back room). I guess TSA has full access to all parts of the airport, even for their drills. At least they didn't empty the entire concourse for their drill.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
I was working at DEN the other morning when 2 TSA members came right in and started searching for someone. I asked them who they were looking for? They gave me a vague response and went back to their search. They checked all of our spaces except our back room, where if someone wanted to hide would be an easy place to. Then suddenly walked out. About 20 minutes later, a different TSA member came in and started looking around. I told him 2 of his coworkers were just in here and if he told me who he was looking for, I could tell him if I had even seen her. He replied, "A women in jeans and a hoodie." Then he whispered under his breath "we are doing a drill." Ahh...well, that explains a lot. Then he left (still didn't check our back room). I guess TSA has full access to all parts of the airport, even for their drills. At least they didn't empty the entire concourse for their drill.
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
3 years ago at SEA, I was trying to exit the airport when a TSA agent yelled at me (and everybody in the terminal) to freeze.
Thirty seconds later we were given the all-clear, whereupon everybody in my vicinity began asking their travel companions, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?"
Thirty seconds later we were given the all-clear, whereupon everybody in my vicinity began asking their travel companions, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?"
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
3 years ago at SEA, I was trying to exit the airport when a TSA agent yelled at me (and everybody in the terminal) to freeze.
Thirty seconds later we were given the all-clear, whereupon everybody in my vicinity began asking their travel companions, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?"
Thirty seconds later we were given the all-clear, whereupon everybody in my vicinity began asking their travel companions, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?"
In that instance I would ignore them. They have no power to detain.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
I've done exactly that. At the UA terminal, air side, at LAX I was walking to club room. A TSO yelled "freeze," and I continued walking. He yelled, "You have to stop!" I said, "No, I don't, you're not law enforcement," and continued to the club room without incident.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Greensboro
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,424
There are also several reasons that they may have been searching for someone - could have been a breach (or drill - as the one indicated), they could be searching for a parent of a lost child.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 13
There are also several reasons that they may have been searching for someone - could have been a breach (or drill - as the one indicated), they could be searching for a parent of a lost child.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver CO
Programs: HHonors Gold, National Emerald Club, no airline affinity status
Posts: 3,349
Thanks for your input though gsotso. I always look forward to your input.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
In the sterile areas, all persons are subject to search of their person(s) or items at any time. The signage is clearly posted at the entrances to all checkpoints and sterile areas (even if accessed by a non-public entrance).
There are also several reasons that they may have been searching for someone - could have been a breach (or drill - as the one indicated), they could be searching for a parent of a lost child.
There are also several reasons that they may have been searching for someone - could have been a breach (or drill - as the one indicated), they could be searching for a parent of a lost child.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,507
But there are no such issues regarding the kind of search under discussion here. In addition, there are agreements between the airport operator and the TSA and there is the appropriate signage informing all persons of the condition of being subject to search.
Where on the thread did someone suggest differently?
Depending upon the regulations of the airport operator, searches may be made of anyone and anywhere on the airport property. Preferably, such searches are made by law enforcement but conditions may be such that LE is not available in a timely manner.
Typically LE would handle lost kids (young and old) but other agencies may also participate/conduct.
Last edited by TWA884; Feb 8, 2017 at 4:28 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
You are right that in a criminal matter, depending upon the circumstances of the search, there might be issues regarding the admissibility of the results of a search without a warrant.
But there are no such issues regarding the kind of search under discussion here. In addition, there are agreements between the airport operator and the TSA and there is the appropriate signage informing all persons of the condition of being subject to search.
Where on the thread did someone suggest differently?
Depending upon the regulations of the airport operator, searches may be made of anyone and anywhere on the airport property. Preferably, such searches are made by law enforcement but conditions may be such that LE is not available in a timely manner.
Typically LE would handle lost kids (young and old) but other agencies may also participate/conduct.
But there are no such issues regarding the kind of search under discussion here. In addition, there are agreements between the airport operator and the TSA and there is the appropriate signage informing all persons of the condition of being subject to search.
Where on the thread did someone suggest differently?
Depending upon the regulations of the airport operator, searches may be made of anyone and anywhere on the airport property. Preferably, such searches are made by law enforcement but conditions may be such that LE is not available in a timely manner.
Typically LE would handle lost kids (young and old) but other agencies may also participate/conduct.
edit to add:
I question the authority of TSA to do any kind of screening, detention, or interrogation of any person who is not trying to gain access to the sterile portion of an airport.
If anyone wishes to post the Federal Code that allows TSA such actions I would appreciate it.
Last edited by Boggie Dog; Feb 9, 2017 at 7:44 am Reason: added to post
#15
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
Whether they're law enforcement or not, you have to do what they tell you. Unless they fail to say "Simon Says."