Originally Posted by
gsoltso
I will state again, if you experience something other than what the video outlines, then you should file a complaint locally, ask for an STSO or TSM, or file a complaint at one of the Official TSA sites. The only way that the organization can follow up on things like this, is if they know about it.
When I have encountered a problem (including the time I asked for the police to be called), I have always been told one of two things: the person talking to me is a 'supervisor' or no supervisors are currently available. As of three years ago, there was no way to file a complaint locally (because I don't consider talking to a 'supervisor' with one stripe to be 'filing a claim'. I doubt that things have changed - at least at that airport.
Originally Posted by
gsoltso
The problem is, the passenger voluntarily surrenders the item. TSA does not confiscate, the individual is supposed to give the passenger options with the prohibited items (with some limitations on things like WEI). The regulations for WEI have pretty much not changed since before I came to TSA , and the 3.4-1-1 rules have been around for many years as well. The rules on realistic replica items (that simulate WEI) have not changed since before I came to TSA. These are the things that people are given options on daily. These rules have been published and in place for more than a decade in many cases. When a passenger brings these items into the checkpoint, they are still afforded the opportunity to take the item and send it to themselves, put it in a vehicle, give it to a friend or find some other way to dispose of it - voluntarily surrendering the item to TSA is the last resort.
(bolding mine)
Wrong. On more than one occasion, I have not been given the opportunity to take the item being confiscated back outside security for disposal. When my medical nitroglycerine pills were confiscated, I absolutely was not given the opportunity to leave with my pills. When the episode was finally over, the suit was holding the bottle and tossing it up and down. I never saw my pills actually put in a checkpoint trashcan. On other occasions, the confiscated item has been set aside on a shelf instead of being dumped in the nearby trashcan.
Originally Posted by
gsoltso
In terms of identified sensitive areas, the TSOs are supposed to clear those areas, but we are also supposed to work with the passenger, and be conscious of the pain it can cause. There is a fine line there, and it should be something that TSOs pay close attention to. If this is not the case in your experience - please file a complaint with TSA, either locally or at one of the Official sites.
I've learned the hard way - it was a TSO who explained to me that that bad guys hide contraband in 'sensitive areas' and that's why you are trained to apply extra pressure or to try to insist on a visual, even if it requires pulling apart sterile dressings.
File a complaint? And get labelled a 'domestic troublemaker'?
Originally Posted by
gsoltso
At
this link, you can find the sections of TSA.gov that allow you to file
complaints, positive experiences, or coordinate for you or family members that have
special needs. There are also sections about contacting the media group, and even finding out about TSA Precheck if you are interested. I do not want you to think that I am brushing you off, we just have differing opinions on certain things - I want you and any other passenger to be able to effectively file complaints, compliments and to travel with as little challenge as possible. In order to improve on that experience, we need folks to file these complaints and comments, so we can address them through proper channels.
As someone who has special needs family members and has who works extensively with special needs folks, here's some unsolicited feedback for TSA to ignore. I doubt TSA keeps track of 'TSA Cares' specialists and what they actually don't do. Most of the time (depends on airport?), you can't even get someone on the line. If you do, be prepared to be stood up if you can talk someone into actually meeting you at the checkpoint. All they really want to do is serve as a TSA talking point - they can't actually be relied on to do any work.