Originally Posted by FWebb

Today my direct flight to Cleveland was cancelled, so I was rerouted through Atlanta and had an awful experience. I complained to the TSA in Cleveland on my way through. Their response was basically "They have a right to do that." Another passenger heard me complain and referred me to your fine web site.

I have been reading it in my hotel for the last few hours. You guys are awesome. I thought I was the only one who felt this way! I am still mad as heck about TSA, but at least I now know that Flyertalk is out there.

Basically what happened is that I am sitting in Atlanta reading my magazine and I get the feeling that I am being watched. Two TSA guys are trying to pretend to be paying attention to something else, but are watching me. I get my stuff together and plan on going somewhere else. Then a guy in a suit approaches me, flashes a badge and asks me if he could talk to me.

I point to the restroom, and he says "I really need to talk to you now." I say "About what" in an agitated tone. He steps in front of me, and says that they need to look in my bag because he was concerned that TSA might have missed something.

We get into an argument, more TSA guys show up. An airport police officer shows up. He asks to see my ticket, and when I put down my bag he hands it to one of the uniformed TSA guys. About four or five of these guys start looking in my bag. The airport cop says that they have video of me going through security, and I tell him that I never went through security in Atlanta. I ask if they have the right to search me at the Gate, and the cop says "They can search you anywhere for any reason in an airport. They are just doing their jobs, and you are going to cooperate with them. If they say jump, you say how high."

I shut up. They search my bag. Then they pat me down. But they do it very slowly and pat me down roughly. They find nothing. The cop has me sit down and lectures me for several minutes in front of TSA and everyone else.

Everyone leaves. I get angry but I need to get to Cleveland. When I get to my flight, more TSA guys are waiting. As I board, they pull me aside. I give them a dirty look, and complain didn't you already just search me. They say we have to do it again. More guys in suits stare at me, I shut up. These guys take their time, and make me stand with my arms out feet spread while they search my bag.

I get out of Atlanta as fast as I can. Land in Cleveland and grab the first TSA guy. He points out his manager. I tell my story. The manager guy says basically you have to do what we say.

My problem is that I don't know what I did in Atlanta to make these guys mad. It was pretty clear that if I complained any more that the cop was going to make my life miserable.

At least you guys are here to listen to my story.

Frank Webber