TSA PreCheck "Random" Extra Screening?
Oct 18, 2014, 9:24 pm
#61
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
There were 3 line entry points. Precheck signed, priority signed and 'normal'.
There was a TSO directing random people from the start of the normal line towards either the precheck side or the normal side.
Each side had 2 TDCs. The precheck side had a ETD post set up with a number of TSO's operating it after the line split and before the TDCs.
Oct 22, 2014, 10:24 am
#62
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New York
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott LTPP, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 1,079
Here in Seattle, the PreCheck WTMDs are clearly calibrated at a much more sensitive level. I have a pair of timberlands with not the slightest identifiable bit of metal, but they set off the PreCheck WTMD. So I now carry "PreCheck Shoes." It's better than being barefoot. I wear running shoes now.
None of the other terminals (in my experience, although it's mainly been terminal C) at IAH, nor any other airport with Precheck I've been to, are sensitive enough for those same items to set them off.
Oct 22, 2014, 6:33 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 464
I guess since they're not on top of each other, I don't get hassled.
Oct 23, 2014, 10:24 am
#64
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 729
Oct 23, 2014, 5:33 pm
#65
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,119
I could see TSA ignoring a "random" alarm for a crew member if they know it's truly a random alarm; that wouldn't surprise me at all.
Oct 23, 2014, 9:59 pm
#66
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Posts: 2,403
Yes, crew members are exempt from random alarms.
I was subject to the hand swabbing because there were random alarms but crew members set them off. So they had to attend to the random with the first available non-crew member.
I was subject to the hand swabbing because there were random alarms but crew members set them off. So they had to attend to the random with the first available non-crew member.
Oct 24, 2014, 7:10 pm
#67
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,119
"Ooh, it beeped for the crew member! So subject the next person in line to it..."
Oct 25, 2014, 10:53 am
#69
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,973
Random beep at Pre-Check at ORD (UA) this morning. Told new procedure was the nude-o-scope. Told them to forget it. Give me my stuff back and I'll leave.
The sup then asked if the swab was okay. Fine with that. ^
The sup then asked if the swab was okay. Fine with that. ^
Oct 30, 2014, 7:29 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PDX
Posts: 469
"Random" alarms in the pre-check line are now happening at SEA. I observed it happening at checkpoints 3 and 4 (not sure about the other CP's but my best guess is that its going on throughout the airport. Can't confirm that though). When the random alarm hits, they are directing people through the NOS 
Also, I've seen the alarm go off on two people in a row at PDX. So if the person in front of you gets the random alarm, don't assume you are necessarily safe from avoiding it.
Also, I've seen the alarm go off on two people in a row at PDX. So if the person in front of you gets the random alarm, don't assume you are necessarily safe from avoiding it.
Oct 30, 2014, 10:06 am
#73
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
I have seen a significant increase in "random" WTMD alarms recently, with the selectee steered to the AIT scanner. When it happened to me this week, I refused the machine and got a patdown. No genital grope or karate chop though, and they didn't search my bags even though they said they were going to.
Oct 30, 2014, 11:32 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
It was my brand new SPG Plat for Life card which I had put in my wallet..it's made of metal and it was the reason the alarm went off. So I now know I can't carry it in my wallet when I travel (which is kind of unfortunate).
Oct 30, 2014, 12:17 pm
#75
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878