I just returned from one of my regular trips to London.
Departed last week out of SDF, where the shoe brigade was in full force.
As I approached the front, blanket announcements (to all passengers) were made "suggesting" the removal of shoes to allow for faster screening.
I approached the WTMD, went through, did not beep, and was told to get into what this screener mentioned to the co-worker as "the holding pen" for secondary.
I inquired: "did I beep?"
Response: "No you didn't beep, you didn't listen to me. I told you to take your shoes off"
I respond: "You suggested -
a suggestion is not a requirement"
TSA then YELLS: "
NO, YOU DID NOT LISTEN TO ME"
I respond:
"which is it, a suggestion or a requirement? If it's a requirement, why don't didn't you say so"
At this point, he loses it, yells at me telling me that I didn't listen to him, and he summons a supervisor over. The "supervisor" comes over, who looks 18, and not a day out of high school. I had dealt with this individual before when my luggage tested positive with an ETD and let's just say he isn't the brighest bulb.
FWIW, I politely inquired why I was getting a full secondary for not removing shoes. I explained I did not remove my shoes because:
(1) I clear this checkpoint on a regular basis without beeping;
(2) shoes have no metal shanks;
(3) a TSA employee at SDF even told me my shoes do not fit removal "profile";
(4) Why do I have to undergo full secondary? Why not look at the shoes if they're the "issue".
His response "The rules change everyday"
He walks away. No complaint forms available when asked, no name or badge # made available either. I do know this kid's name though, which I will reference in my complaint.
While waiting for a male to do my secondary, a female screener sees my passport (note, it's a USA Passport), and she tells me "well, this is America." This lady was nice, but I really wanted to say, "This isn't the America I grew up in".
Finally, time for screening:
I got the entire, new and improved, screening. First my shoes are wanded, the only metal on them is a few eyelets - insignificant. It beeped, so it had to be x-rayed. I then had everything from my feet, back, torso, & front private area inspected by wand and a pat down.
Bloody ridicilous, considering I didn't even beep at the checkpoint.
In the end, the bloody ...... (screener) who did the secondary wouldn't bother to get my shoes from the x-ray machine and return them to me. I had to walk across the filfthy floor to get them, along with my other belongings.
Now, this same day, 2 1/2 hours later, I cleared security at CLE. Screener asks me if my shoes are ok for the WTMD, I reply yes, and off I go. No beep, no problem.
Today, I returned via MSP and cleared security twice there - once after clearing US Customs to enter the terminal (to lock my stuff up), the second time when returning to the airport from the Mall of America to catch my flight.
At MSP the policy was no beep, no harassment. In fact, I thanked each screener at MSP. US Customs & Immigrations at MSP were quite nice & efficient at MSP - I thanked them likewise.
BTW, no complaint or comment form made available to me when I inquired at SDF. However, I will be writing a letter to the SDF FSD, TSA HQ, along with my congressional officials.
The bottom line, there is no need to harass passengers, lie to passengers, yell at passengers, or attempt to intimidate them when the passenger is asking a question. This charade I encountered at SDF was absolutely insane.
Now, how much worse will screening get just prior to the elections? I have much more upcoming international travel, including one-trip with a re-entry on the day prior elections.
Best,
SDF_Traveler
P.S. In London the security officials were telling American's to put their shoes back on
I took off a light jacket and was getting ready to put it on the belt being used to this in the states -- the security official in London replied, "It's just a jumper, mate; you can take it through the metal detector with you". I did - no beep, no harassment, and it was a pleasure.