Busy checkpoints versus slow checkpoints
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Denton County, TX
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 737
Busy checkpoints versus slow checkpoints
Does anyone notice that the checkpoint experience is exponentially worse at airports that have one or two huge main screening areas (such as DEN) versus airports that have several isolated checkpoints (such as IAH).
I choose airports (when possible) based on this configuration. If I *have* to fly to Houston I now fly into HOU and out of IAH. I do not like being around a mass cluster**** where everyone is shouting and you can watch all the sheep being herded into the porno boxes. At least at a smaller isolated checkpoint there is less commotion and seems to be significantly less attitude.
Anyone have any thoughts?
I choose airports (when possible) based on this configuration. If I *have* to fly to Houston I now fly into HOU and out of IAH. I do not like being around a mass cluster**** where everyone is shouting and you can watch all the sheep being herded into the porno boxes. At least at a smaller isolated checkpoint there is less commotion and seems to be significantly less attitude.
Anyone have any thoughts?
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: PDX,PHX,LON
Programs: too many of the few that are left
Posts: 627
Does anyone notice that the checkpoint experience is exponentially worse at airports that have one or two huge main screening areas (such as DEN) versus airports that have several isolated checkpoints (such as IAH).
I choose airports (when possible) based on this configuration. If I *have* to fly to Houston I now fly into HOU and out of IAH. I do not like being around a mass cluster**** where everyone is shouting and you can watch all the sheep being herded into the porno boxes. At least at a smaller isolated checkpoint there is less commotion and seems to be significantly less attitude.
Anyone have any thoughts?
I choose airports (when possible) based on this configuration. If I *have* to fly to Houston I now fly into HOU and out of IAH. I do not like being around a mass cluster**** where everyone is shouting and you can watch all the sheep being herded into the porno boxes. At least at a smaller isolated checkpoint there is less commotion and seems to be significantly less attitude.
Anyone have any thoughts?
However, in slow times the isolation of a deserted checkpoint can be dangerous for pax. My second-worst TSA experience was late at night; I'd been nearly last off the plane, found my luggage searched, damaged and things stolen, went back to the CP to get a complaint form (oh, those optimistic early days!). It's past midnight, six or eight screeners are the only people present. Basically I was screamed at and threatened with arrest for requesting (in a calm voice) a complaint form. One screener loudly announced to the one yelling at me his readiness to "be your witness if you need one for the arrest."
Fortunately, as arriving pax I had possession of all my stuff. Friend picking me up rang to find out why I was still in the terminal. Friend is an attorney. When the screeners realized I was getting real-time legal info from someone who'd called me they backed off, but I think it could have gone worse otherwise. They were like bored cats who'd suddenly found a mouse.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Gold
Posts: 1,676
And if you're actively managing your risk, the huge queue is going to be targeted for a vest-bomber before the small ones. A very tiny risk, indeed, but surely not one the TSA has done anything to mitigate.
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,805
Does anyone notice that the checkpoint experience is exponentially worse at airports that have one or two huge main screening areas (such as DEN) versus airports that have several isolated checkpoints (such as IAH).
I choose airports (when possible) based on this configuration. If I *have* to fly to Houston I now fly into HOU and out of IAH. I do not like being around a mass cluster**** where everyone is shouting and you can watch all the sheep being herded into the porno boxes. At least at a smaller isolated checkpoint there is less commotion and seems to be significantly less attitude.
Anyone have any thoughts?
I choose airports (when possible) based on this configuration. If I *have* to fly to Houston I now fly into HOU and out of IAH. I do not like being around a mass cluster**** where everyone is shouting and you can watch all the sheep being herded into the porno boxes. At least at a smaller isolated checkpoint there is less commotion and seems to be significantly less attitude.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Then there is the singular exception of IAD, which was afforded the opportunity to do it right when they expanded the Main Terminal, and all they did was move an even longer screening queue out of sight, and made it more dangerous for the people subjected to TSA's Kabuki Theater. As someone else has noted in another post, the IAD screening disaster is ripe for exploitation by a real terrorist.
I really believe the biggest impact on the checkpoint experience is created by the quality of the FSD and his/her senior management. Since most FSD's reflect the quality of the TSA management that hired them, we get the predictable results.
There are a few airports in the US where I encounter a consistently excellent screening experience. I was going to name them, but I'm afraid that the TSA HQ staff that monitor this board will find out those few pockets of competence and stamp them out.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Denton County, TX
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 737
Very good point. Thank you for reminding me of the safety issue as well. Yes, it is small but can come in as a handy excuse if my client ever asks why I fly into one airport and out of another. That is, if they even care LOL