"Did you pack this yourself"- What happens if you say no?
Jul 10, 2015, 2:32 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2010
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They usually ask those questions on international flights to the US on US carriers by contract security companies, such as ICTS.
Last time I flew back to the US, I was asked questions by the contract agent. Of course, I answered them honestly which included answering one of the questions by stating that my laptop was my employer's property. I noticed that she pressed a button on her tablet device that said something like "escalate for supervisor." The supervisor came and while I was eventually cleared after answering additional questions, it seemed as though the agents were not used to people answering that question truthfully. I know that many people who travel for business take work laptops and other devices owned by their employer so I was really surprised at how much of an issue that they had with that response.
Last time I flew back to the US, I was asked questions by the contract agent. Of course, I answered them honestly which included answering one of the questions by stating that my laptop was my employer's property. I noticed that she pressed a button on her tablet device that said something like "escalate for supervisor." The supervisor came and while I was eventually cleared after answering additional questions, it seemed as though the agents were not used to people answering that question truthfully. I know that many people who travel for business take work laptops and other devices owned by their employer so I was really surprised at how much of an issue that they had with that response.
Jul 20, 2015, 2:39 pm
#18
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Sarcasm isn't really appreciated by pax either, although I realize it may be a perk of the job for some, as may retaliatory actions taken solely to assuage someone's ego.
Abuse of one's position is never pretty or admirable.
Abuse of one's position is never pretty or admirable.
Jul 20, 2015, 9:11 pm
#20
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It is often more of an issue of preventing discussions later on. All too often when prohibited items are found the first response is trying to wave off blame. "I didn"t know it was in there" "Never seen that before" etc. If you answered the above questions with yes those defenses go out the window.
My wife turned down some oranges. Her SIL slipped them in her carry-on anyway.
Jul 20, 2015, 9:12 pm
#21
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If you are referring to me, when someone yells at me when I want to scan his bag "careful, you can't scan that, there's a bomb in there!". I am not being sarcastic, even though he claimed afterwards the remark was only meant as a joke.
But you are completely correct. Officials should treat passengers with the respect they expect back, and therefore sarcasm is also inappropriate.
But you are completely correct. Officials should treat passengers with the respect they expect back, and therefore sarcasm is also inappropriate.
Jul 20, 2015, 10:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IAD
Posts: 735
One of the few positive changes TSA made after 9/11 was removing the "Did you pack your bags yourself?" & "Have your bags been out of your possession?" ticket counter agent questions stateside.
I still remember traveling with my mother as a child pre-9/11 after a cruise when she answered the question honestly no one knew what to do. The ticket agent at the next desk was telling our ticket agent just to refuse our baggage. At least in the end a supervisor later just had my mother search our bags and then accepted them. The whole affair took half an hour and this was in MIA which has a large share of cruise customers.
I have only been to TLV once, the security agent phrase the question as "Did you pack your bags yourself, and have your bags been out of your possession? The reason I ask is that our concern is that someone could have concealed explosives in your luggage." I personalty think the agent was just tring to see if I had any reactions to the word "explosive".
I still remember traveling with my mother as a child pre-9/11 after a cruise when she answered the question honestly no one knew what to do. The ticket agent at the next desk was telling our ticket agent just to refuse our baggage. At least in the end a supervisor later just had my mother search our bags and then accepted them. The whole affair took half an hour and this was in MIA which has a large share of cruise customers.
I have only been to TLV once, the security agent phrase the question as "Did you pack your bags yourself, and have your bags been out of your possession? The reason I ask is that our concern is that someone could have concealed explosives in your luggage." I personalty think the agent was just tring to see if I had any reactions to the word "explosive".
Jul 21, 2015, 2:06 am
#24
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I think at IAD at United checkin I was asked the question whether my checked bag had been out of my possession since being packed. I honestly responded that I'd checked it in my hotel for the day. I was surprised that they made me open the bag and made me confirm that it was the same way I'd left it in the morning. No actual search of the bag. Only time that's ever happened to me.
Jul 21, 2015, 8:46 am
#25
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I think at IAD at United checkin I was asked the question whether my checked bag had been out of my possession since being packed. I honestly responded that I'd checked it in my hotel for the day. I was surprised that they made me open the bag and made me confirm that it was the same way I'd left it in the morning. No actual search of the bag. Only time that's ever happened to me.
Jul 21, 2015, 8:56 pm
#26
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Jul 22, 2015, 6:29 pm
#30
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The flags raised and reactions had can sometimes be quite different between the two when asked or answered in the affirmative.