Gate searches -- still?!? AAARRRHHHGGG!! (merged)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHL-adjacent
Programs: AA Executive Platinum (but always US in my heart), HH Diamond
Posts: 3,344
Gate searches -- still?!? AAARRRHHHGGG!! (merged)
I saw gate searches at BOS, ANC, and LAX in the last 5 days. I haven't seen them in a LONG time (a year or more?). Why are they coming back now?
If their x-ray/bag searches at the initial screening area are so poor that they feel they need the "random" gate searches, then why don't they fix the initial search? I hate them so much......
If their x-ray/bag searches at the initial screening area are so poor that they feel they need the "random" gate searches, then why don't they fix the initial search? I hate them so much......
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
From hints left in other posts, it appears that Secure Flight has been implemented. Therefore, no more SSSS at the C/P, only the pseudo-random secondary (e.g., C/P grope when you piss off or look at the TSO without the proper "respect" [/sarcasm] [note - this is my interpretation of real world events, not the posts from the various TSO here]).
Since they have no more SSSS, the thought has been that we, the flying public, should expect to see more of the unconstitutional gate gropes.
Since they have no more SSSS, the thought has been that we, the flying public, should expect to see more of the unconstitutional gate gropes.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: boca raton, florida
Posts: 621
I saw gate searches at BOS, ANC, and LAX in the last 5 days. I haven't seen them in a LONG time (a year or more?). Why are they coming back now?
If their x-ray/bag searches at the initial screening area are so poor that they feel they need the "random" gate searches, then why don't they fix the initial search? I hate them so much......
If their x-ray/bag searches at the initial screening area are so poor that they feel they need the "random" gate searches, then why don't they fix the initial search? I hate them so much......
#5
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Platinum LT Marriott Titanium Platinum LT, Hertz Presidents Circle, National EC,
Posts: 119
Unfortunate. Here's my take. We're now in the budget discussion cycle again, and its going to be a tough one. So all govt agencies and departments now run around trying to garner support and justify their existence. This is (unfortunately) a very visible way of saying "look at us - we're doing something - send more money".
#7
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: boca raton, florida
Posts: 621
Evil flourishes when good men do nothing.
...Edmund Burke
#8
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,866
i can't wait to be selected.....
in addition to "would you mind changing your gloves" and "i'd like my bags kept in front of me and in my sight", i'm gonna add, "so what did you folks miss at the checkpoint?"
inefficiency at its best
in addition to "would you mind changing your gloves" and "i'd like my bags kept in front of me and in my sight", i'm gonna add, "so what did you folks miss at the checkpoint?"
inefficiency at its best
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: DL, WN, US, Avis, AA
Posts: 662
I fly on Southwest a fair amount and anyone who does that understands the first in / first pick seating. How will a gate screening work on a WN flight? Will they hold up the whole boarding process? Is the passenger just screwed? Will they let the passenger go aboard and claim his seat prior to the screening?
I haven't had to confront gate screening on a WN flight yet but I think it would get ugly pretty fast.
Does anyone have an actual experience to share?
I haven't had to confront gate screening on a WN flight yet but I think it would get ugly pretty fast.
Does anyone have an actual experience to share?
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
No actual experience on WN, plenty on DL. DL does not give a rat's a$$ about you being delayed by TSA, regardless of boarding zone. I have a good feeling that WN would do the same.
The airline's goal is to get the gate closed and the plane pushed back on time (according to their schedule). You may hear a GA complain, if the TSA gate grope is getting in the way of the final minutes of the boarding process; I have yet to hear one say a damn thing at the beginning of a gate grope session.
The airline's goal is to get the gate closed and the plane pushed back on time (according to their schedule). You may hear a GA complain, if the TSA gate grope is getting in the way of the final minutes of the boarding process; I have yet to hear one say a damn thing at the beginning of a gate grope session.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,716
Judging from your post, your bag wasn't even searched and yet you had to come on a travel security website and make a post with, "AAARRRHHHGGG!!!" in the title? I hope you get your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. It seems like you're taking things way too seriously.
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
These ridiculous searches at the gates are back more than ever because the workfare TSA program had to make work as the haraSSSSment search program was largely gutted and staffing levels for those haraSSSSment searches are no longer "needed" like they were before.
This reallocation creates more useless busy work than even before as the allocated set-up time for the moving gate searches results in more TSA employees standing around -- Thousands Standing Around more than ever.
This reallocation creates more useless busy work than even before as the allocated set-up time for the moving gate searches results in more TSA employees standing around -- Thousands Standing Around more than ever.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
It's standard for most US bound international flights unfortunately to go through another security check. Usually look for an elite/F/C type line or go when it's busy and you can get through without too much hassle