What's going on at SFO today?
Jan 17, 2008, 9:00 am
#1
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
What's going on at SFO today?
Seems security is a little more intense here this a.m., as they're yelling for anything with a power cord, cable, or battery to be removed from bags, as well as cell phones, electric razors, hair dryers and all electronics. In all my trips through here this is a first for me. I'm on the way to Europe and have all sorts of stuff between my two carry on bags (inverter, shortwave radio, electric razor, flashlight, phone). Forgot to take my camera out and they didn't say anything (hard to remember all the pockets I have things packed into). Good luck to anyone else coming through here this morning. At least on the AA side the checkpoints are not backed up. Don't know what it's like over on the UA side.
Jan 17, 2008, 9:09 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: PDX...most of the time.
Programs: F9 Ascent, UA, AA, AS, ICH PA, Hertz PC.....
Posts: 190
Possibly related to the problems at LHR
I would guess that flights to Europe today will be a nightmare - are you going through (or near) LHR? A BA 777 landed very short at LHR a few hours ago, and closed the airport for a while. At last report, one of the two runways there will be closed for a long time. The 777 is probably a write-off. No deaths, minor injuries IIRC.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe...ent/index.html
No word yet on why yet. This is probably the kind of thing that will put the Kabuki theater on high-anxiety performance mode.
RFTraveler
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe...ent/index.html
No word yet on why yet. This is probably the kind of thing that will put the Kabuki theater on high-anxiety performance mode.
RFTraveler
Jan 17, 2008, 9:38 am
#4
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: 28,878
could it be that the tsa is yet again taking their own (and imho, inept and stoopit) rule about lithium batteries way out of context 
Jan 17, 2008, 9:45 am
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Out West
Programs: DL-2MM, NW, AA, AS, NZ, AM
Posts: 432
rule about lithium batteries way out of context
"....Mister, all them 'lectrik thangs got possible lidium in them....take 'em out"
God, I feel soo much safer...
Jan 17, 2008, 11:32 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
could it be that the tsa is yet again taking their own (and imho, inept and stoopit) rule about lithium batteries way out of context
They did interpret some rules differently than other airports (though this time in my favor), but they were far more pleasant and professional than what I usually deal with.
Jan 17, 2008, 11:40 am
#7
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: 28,878
SFO is contractors, not TSA, isn't it? At least I'm pretty sure they were when I passed through a couple weeks ago.
They did interpret some rules differently than other airports (though this time in my favor), but they were far more pleasant and professional than what I usually deal with.
They did interpret some rules differently than other airports (though this time in my favor), but they were far more pleasant and professional than what I usually deal with.
Jan 17, 2008, 12:32 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Sunshine State
Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP
Posts: 11,370
Jan 17, 2008, 3:44 pm
#9
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Jan 17, 2008, 4:17 pm
#11
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: 28,878
Jan 17, 2008, 4:25 pm
#12
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
My seatmate on the way to ORD said she was told it's a "one day test". Maybe they were only testing the AA checkpoint, or I'm sure the UA flyers would be chiming in by now.
Tom in the Flagship Lounge at ORD
Tom in the Flagship Lounge at ORD
Jan 17, 2008, 4:45 pm
#13
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,952
Perhaps this craptapular agency decided to test the patience of the passengers? I wish more of them had told "Team SFO" to shove it where the sun don't shine re: all electronics out.
Jan 17, 2008, 6:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*S, AS, CX, Marriott Platinum, Nexus, Specialized AWOL Touring Bicycle
Posts: 167
I went through security at SFO several times yesterday (Jan. 16th) and experienced nothing like that.
Hopefully this all electronics out thing won't become normal policy, or maybe when I fly through U.S. in the future I'll just check everything and wear my bathrobe to the plane.
Hopefully this all electronics out thing won't become normal policy, or maybe when I fly through U.S. in the future I'll just check everything and wear my bathrobe to the plane.
Jan 17, 2008, 7:10 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: AA GOLD 1MM UA 1P 1MM BIS VX ??
Posts: 39
Same thing happened to me this morning at the AA TSA checkpoint at SFO. I use the Clear registered traveler entry line and the Clear concierge told me that it was the first time she ever heard TSA/Team SFO make an announcement that all electric items, including electric shavers, must be removed from carry-on luggage.
So now the list of stuff I have to remove includes my jacket, shoes, keys, cell phone, laptop, liquids, and electric razor. When I applied for Clear membership I was hoping that eventually some of those requirements would be waived. Well, at least the concierge helps me carry all of the unpacked items up to the scanner.
So now the list of stuff I have to remove includes my jacket, shoes, keys, cell phone, laptop, liquids, and electric razor. When I applied for Clear membership I was hoping that eventually some of those requirements would be waived. Well, at least the concierge helps me carry all of the unpacked items up to the scanner.
Last edited by Dr Bill SFO; Jan 17, 2008 at 7:22 pm