Gate searches -- still?!? AAARRRHHHGGG!! (merged)
May 12, 2014, 5:37 pm
#1576
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
We were stopped on the jetway in SFO by two TSA in blue gloves and asked for BP and ID Friday afternoon. This was SFO-SEA...the last leg of a return from Athens.
What made it suspicious to me was that we had also been stopped in customs for a secondary screening ( They kept asking if we had any food) and although I was really tired and out of it...both my husband and I felt that the TSA were actually waiting for us on the jetway since we did not see them stop anyone else.
We have global entry ( which we did not use this time because there were no lines) and had a TSAprechk on our boarding passes for this segment.
What made it suspicious to me was that we had also been stopped in customs for a secondary screening ( They kept asking if we had any food) and although I was really tired and out of it...both my husband and I felt that the TSA were actually waiting for us on the jetway since we did not see them stop anyone else.
We have global entry ( which we did not use this time because there were no lines) and had a TSAprechk on our boarding passes for this segment.
I really doubt it had anything to do with what happened in customs. CBP have much more powers than the TSA, if they really suspect something you would have still been waiting to re-enter the country. CPB knows TSA has no real authority and is a joke. I don't see them referring you to TSA later for additional screening.
May 13, 2014, 6:16 pm
#1577
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
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I personally use GE regardless of line status. Its not worth the hassle of being dealt with like a not so trusted traveler.
I really doubt it had anything to do with what happened in customs. CBP have much more powers than the TSA, if they really suspect something you would have still been waiting to re-enter the country. CPB knows TSA has no real authority and is a joke. I don't see them referring you to TSA later for additional screening.
I really doubt it had anything to do with what happened in customs. CBP have much more powers than the TSA, if they really suspect something you would have still been waiting to re-enter the country. CPB knows TSA has no real authority and is a joke. I don't see them referring you to TSA later for additional screening.
May 13, 2014, 6:22 pm
#1578
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
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I saw one of these on AC7371 today, PHL-YYZ. I didn't think they'd do that on an international flight.
I saw one of these on AC7371 today, PHL-YYZ. I didn't think they'd do that on an international flight.
Jun 17, 2014, 8:56 am
#1579
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
I've seen CBP, TSA, and local police doing jetway checks. Sometimes it appears random, sometimes it appears based on the visual appearance of the traveller, and once it was pretty obvious that the GA signaled to them. In that case, I later overheard the GA telling the lead FA that some pax luggage was to be offloaded because they had been arrested. I assume it was someone with a warrant who was caught trying to leave the country.
That said, both of the things the OP experienced are fairly common, so probably just (bad) luck they happened together. The search for "food" is actually looking for food -- especially meat -- and other agricultural products. Somehow this helps keep mad cow, hoof and mouth, etc out of the US.
That said, both of the things the OP experienced are fairly common, so probably just (bad) luck they happened together. The search for "food" is actually looking for food -- especially meat -- and other agricultural products. Somehow this helps keep mad cow, hoof and mouth, etc out of the US.
Sep 25, 2014, 1:11 pm
#1581
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
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Posts: 10,967
Is the HKG 100% physical search on the jetbridge a DHS/TSA requirement, or a local HKG airport regulation for US/AUS-bound flights? This search always seems to be conducted by airport authority screeners (not airline contract workers).
(and I wonder why the 100% rule applies to US-bound flights departing HKG but not other Asian and European cities...)
(and I wonder why the 100% rule applies to US-bound flights departing HKG but not other Asian and European cities...)
Apr 5, 2015, 6:48 am
#1582
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
JNB-JFK always has a rigourous gate check. The last time I went through a young American woman was furious and made a scene when her bottles of water were denied. I resisted the temptation to explain that it was HER government that was responsible not the nice but resolute South African woman she was screaming at.
Apr 10, 2015, 11:57 am
#1584
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Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
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Posts: 35,383
intless.
Apr 26, 2015, 10:03 am
#1585
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Delta Diamond Medallion 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 550
Gate searches? Gone?
Just realized this past week that I have not seen a TSA gate search for almost a year now. Have these ineffective procedures finally disappeared? Or have I just been "lucky" with my airport choices?
Apr 26, 2015, 11:40 am
#1587
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
It's been a long time (more than a year) since this has happened at my gate.
It has happened at a gate I walked by just last month, IIRC. Of course, it'spossible highly likely the clerks were just hanging out by the gate though.
It has happened at a gate I walked by just last month, IIRC. Of course, it's
