Global_Hi_Flyer

Army Drill Sergeant Syndrome. Propagated by those in charge of the agency that believe that untrained civilians can be humiliated into compliance if they are yelled at and degraded. Break their spirit and they will be compliant little sheep.

Decades of management theory ignored.

exbayern

I was so relieved to return to my summers of non-US travel and to experience civility at airports. I counted a number of 'please' and 'thank you' at MUC, GLA, EDI, LHR, CWL and no barking, even when people made mistakes. Even the request to swab me was a request, with pleasantries and thank yous.

There is absolutely no need for this type of behaviour. I see it as a concious choice in an attempt to intimidate or show power, and all that it does is show a lack of respect and common sense. Ignorant people tend to shout in an attempt to get their point across, because they cannot do it with reason.

Wally Bird

He probably was one once; we are repeatedly told that ex-military make the very best screeners .

Davidwnc

I think I take one seriously, but not the other. Does it matter which?

Fredd

Good for you OP. ^^

I've asked the question before: FTers, even limiting it to those reading this thread, have undoubtedly flown out of dozens of different countries. Mrs. Fredd and I ourselves have flown out of more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, South America, and North America and we're far from unique in this forum.

Can anybody name three other countries... no, make it two countries... heck, make it any other country in which it's as consistently unpleasant to get through security to board a plane?

I will say it seems to be improving but every so often a barker raises his noisy head. And of course just as I mention modest improvements, the Nude-O-Scopes are scheduled to arrive at an airport near us.

FXWizard

Perhaps we need to start shouting, "SIR YES SIR!" in response...

InkUnderNails

Thanks for this post.

I have only flown to three countries: USA, Canada, Mexico. I have avoided travel to other areas because I suspected it is more difficult. After all, this is the good ol' U S of A and we know we are the best at everything and everywhere else is just third world or worse.

It is nice to know that my suspicions are unfounded. I intend to expand my horizons, mostly based on the good experiences I have read about here.

exbayern

What is interesting to me is that I have long posted how peaceful it can be to travel in other countries, due to the lack of shouting at security, the lack of carry on scrum, the quick turn times, and the overall lack of drama.

I notice a marked difference flying in the US vs elsewhere, even if the touchy feelies are out in other countries. The difference is that security is professional and doesn't try and increase the panic/drama level amongst passengers.

Yet I have been called anti-American for saying that, even when I wasn't anti-TSA. I am not anti-American; I consider it ignorant to be 'anti' an entire nation. I am anti-ignorance, however.

MikeMpls

No, in fact when we travel internationally it's coming home that is the least pleasant, due to the hassles that await us occasionally with customs & immigration and almost always with TSA.

Flaflyer

Travel will change your horizons. Take a mileage run to someplace like SIN. Check out the politeness and efficiency of the customs agents. Walk through a metal detector with your shoes on and notice the plane does not fall out of the sky. Then come back to the US of A and get sick at the slow rude reception you get from your home team DHS workforce.

Heck those horrible Commies in Vietnam and Red China do a better job treating tourists nice than DHS treats it's own citizens.

While you were not travelling there, the "third world" worked to improve to first rate status and the "We're #1" USA did not think it had to do anything to stay #1. In the process the US slipped below the standards of the rest of the world.

n4zhg

Hopefully their own foot. ^^^ Like Rastafed over on YouTube.

Firebug4

Could you please inform those that are looking to illegally immigrate to the United States and to smuggle illegal substances to the United States of that fact. Perhaps they will go and illegally enter and smuggle contraband into those countries. Cause I really don't know why all those "third world" countries as you put it want to come here if the picture is as you paint it.

FB

danl08

What???
People smuggle illegal drugs into this country because they can make money by doing so, not because its easy or the Border Patrol people are soooo nice. Its Econ101 - supply and demand. What the poster was saying is that the manner in which our TSA choose to go about its business is neither effective nor efficient and that the procedures in other countries show a different and equally (probably more) effective way of screening people without all the attitude.

barbell

You will be shocked at what you experience.

In CDG, of all places, interacting with AF staff and French security, they apologized to us that we did not, in fact, have to remove our laptops, our freedom bags, nor our shoes. They truly seemd to pity our jostling at security.

And later at DXB, I have never felt safer at an airport. This as a white, obvious American. I blend in as best I can, but at some point there's no point. Immigration was gracious on the way in. Security was efficient, quiet, and stress free on the way out. There was no need to bark, yell, berate, or intimidate. You knew they knew what they were doing, and that was enough.

In the good ol' US of A, not so much.

Which is the same reason they also smuggle illicit drugs into other countries. America is not unique in this regard, Firebug4...

FriendlySkies

+1

Flying out of LHR and SYD, I was amazed at the calmness, and professionalism of both countries agents. No "Barker Bobs" (thanks goalie ), no stupid show carnival, etc.. It was so nice to deal with the SYD agents, I'm surprised I kept my head straight when I had to deal with "Team" SFO...