SDF_Traveler,
You have the story straight. Reid had a fake passport, was travelling on "a supsicious itinerary" (I just know that it was one-way), and he had paid in cash. ICTS caught his fake passport and referred him to the French Police. He was denied boarding.

The following day, Reid just tried again. Perhaps he used a different passport or a different ticket. I don't know. But the ICTS staff must not have recognized him or must have decided that everything was kosher involving his travel documents and itinerary.

You're right, the ICTS, Securicor, and other agents can vary tremendously from station to station. I agree, Madrid is by far the most stringent. I've always found Amsterdam to be quite picky as well. The friendliest are in Buenos Aires; they're downright welcoming. And I've encountered thorough but extremely friendly agents at Stockholm/Arlanda as well... they're doing their jobs, not putting on a show.

I always thought of ICTS as the premier security agency beyond El Al. I think they were started by El Al and TWA security consultants. But after the Reid incident, I fail to see how they're in any way useful in protecting passenger security. But our friends in the US Government require these interviews from "high risk" airports.

Passengers departing from Dublin to the USA also have immigration preclearance. These passengers must clear ICTS screening as well.