I am sad to report that one of the airports that was always following the policy has fallen, at last right now, today, into the shoe carnival bin. Las Vegas, Nevada is a Shoe Carnival.

I am sitting on the far side of security for Terminal A. First class lane was where I was. I heard the YELLS of "SHOES COME OFF", "SHOES THROUGH THE X-RAY", "SHOES COME OFF" and thought, "Oh man, please don't do this."

Here's the IRONIC part: Not five feet away from the guy yelling this, and on monitors all over---at least a DOZEN very nice widewscreen flat panels scsrewed to the walls (wonder how much money we paid for THOSE) there were some actually very entertaining videos with Las Vegas personalities briefing the masses on security. One of the little 60 second vignettes showed a bunch of clowns (yeah, red nose and all) trying to go through and having to take off those massive clown shoes. Right on the screen, IN GRAPHICS IN CASE YOU COULDN'T HEAR THE VOICEOVER, says shoes containing metal or with soles over one inch may require additional screening.

NOT FIVE FEET AWEAY is a TSA clown contradicting policy and the monitors all over the place. It was my turn. I approach the metal detector and the guy shakes his head and says "Sir, the shoes."
"No metal, soles less than one inch." (point to soles)
"Sir, I HIGHLY recommend..."
"TSA policy, and you know it. No metal, soles under an inch..."
Another TSA white shirt says "Sir, you really should believe him."
I am whisked off to secondary. As I pass, I tell the guy, "You are violating TSA policy and you know it, this will be a written complaint." and the guy gives me this DEATH GLARE like "Who the hell do you think YOU are?" Two others crane their necks around the glass barriers to give me a good looksee as well.

The secondary screener made it very clear that he was irritated with me. The grope and backrub was really lame (any chance we can get SWEDISH backrub screenings?) and for all the bull**** and ballyhoo, they didn't even swab my shoes. Apparently making it clear to EVERYONE that it is possible to complain and that you're going to do so wrankles these birkds' feathers.

Additional points off for the screeners YELLING "BOARDING PASSES IN YOUR HAND, BOARDING PASSES IN YOUR HAND!!" This is yet ANOTHER point of inconsistency within the TSA.

From the trenches...

--Paul