"Having opted out many times at several airports, this is the action that consistently causes me the most grief. I believe this is because TSO's do not receive any guidance or training about this aspect of checkpoint screening."
They are all trained.
"They know they have to change their gloves when asked, and will begrudgingly do so if you press the issue"
They change the gloves for each passenger. They do not pay for them, so what do they care?
"but ensuring your items are safely within your eyesight is rarely, if ever, acknowledged by front line TSO's."
Your belongings should always be within visual range. If not, then nicely ask them to be. Do you think a TSO wants to have an investigation done on them. Plus, have you looked around... CCTV everywhere.
"The best way to handle this is as a statement, not a request."
The "best" way? Ask kindly.
"Remember, TSO's are not autonomous beings with the capability to reason and acquiesce to logical arguments."
WOW. I know lots of retired senior military and LEO's who work at TSA for extra cash. WHY would you demean those you do not know?
"They are creatures of rote habit and can get in quite a tizzy if you don't respond exactly the same way everyone else ahead of you has."
Maybe they are required to do things a certain way to protect the airplane from blowing up at 40,000 feet.
"So when a TSO directs you to "stand here" and your belongings are not in your line of sight, don't ask for your belongings to be brought to you (they don't care)."
"They don't care?" WOW. Again, painting everyone with the same brush. Maybe, you should saying something like "I'd like my belongings to be me with me or where I can see them, please." DO YOU REALLY think they want to listen you complain?
"Just state "I'm going to stand here where I can see my belongings." Remain calm and do not waver."
"Do not wavier."
Okay. Then would you be violating:
1. §1540.107 Submission to screening and inspection.
2. §1540.109 Prohibition against interference with screening personnel.
One can be fined civilly up to $11,000 per violation.
"Many TSO's will immediately resort to an aggressive offense, yelling that you must stand in a particular location or threatening to call law enforcement."
"Yelling" at you? Really? I am sure you have reported this behavior to TSA. (
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/civilr...complaint.shtm)
"Remember that they hold no power of detainment so they cannot force you to stand anywhere."
Correct. TSA TSO's do not detain anyone. Then again:
1. §1540.107 Submission to screening and inspection.
2. §1540.109 Prohibition against interference with screening personnel.
One can be fined civilly up to $11,000 per violation.
"If you remain calm and don't flee the checkpoint, they won't have anything to hold against you."
1. §1540.107 Submission to screening and inspection.
2. §1540.109 Prohibition against interference with screening personnel.
One can be fined civilly up to $11,000 per violation.
In the "end" you will not be allowed through the checkpoint without being properly screened.
"Do not back down in your stance, regardless of what they tell you. Here are some of their tactics:"
"- "Don't worry, we have cameras here" -> The cameras are to protect the TSA, not your belongings."
It appears you do not know what your are talking about. CCTV has been used as evidence against and for passengers, as well as others who work at the airport.
"A thief can steal your stuff in seconds; tapes, if made available at all, won't do you good hours, days, or even weeks later."
True enough. A thief (passengers, as well as those who "work" at the airport) can be pretty fast.
I guess you forgot to add that TSA investigators are the ones who have broken up major theft rings inside the airport (Airline baggage handlers - NOT TSA employees).
I think you also forgot to add TSA investigators have broken up theft rings (NOT TSA employees) who steal bags at the baggage carousals.
I think you forgot...
"- "Your stuff will be fine." -> The screener isn't personally watching it, so this is an outright fabrication."
I do not know, but maybe they said that because they know there is another TSO and CCTV observing your belongings. Regardless, you have the right to be able to observe your belongings. JUST ask.
"The TSA accepts no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged items at a checkpoint."
Not true. If TSA damages your property, file a claim. Just like in any other governmant location. If YOU lost it... why should we tax payers be responsible? TSA is not there to guard your property. WHICH is why YOU should keep an eye on it. Can you spell "CCTV" if your property is stolen?
"On average, one TSO per week is fired for theft of passenger belongings."
PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR SOURCE OF INFORMATION
"Regardless of what the TSA says, disobeying them is not a crime.
1. §1540.107 Submission to screening and inspection.
2. §1540.109 Prohibition against interference with screening personnel.
One can be fined civilly up to $11,000 per violation.
"The anger and hostility directed towards you is intended to make you comply."
It appears, by your writing, that you run into a lot of angry and mean TSA folks. I would suggest you start getting names and badge numbers, then post ALL of them.
"Since you know you're not a terrorist, their aggression isn't making anyone any safer."
Interesting. "YOU know you are not a terrorist." Shall we have a "NON-TERRORIST" lane? No, wait. Since there are more decent passengers than terrorists... let's have a "TERRORISTS ONLY" LANE.
WONDERFUL IDEA. I guess DHS has been on thier butt for 10 years. WHY did they not think of this before? FIRE THEM ALL!
"Stand your ground calmly and peacefully, and escalate to a supervisor as necessary.
Calmly and peacefully. EXACTLY!
Awesome post....I agree if you don't like the pat down don't opt out...seems to me there is a lot less to complain about if you simply go through the scanners.