Originally Posted by KSinNYC

Last week I was flying from JFK and our flight was changed from Terminal 9 to Terminal 8. I wanted to keep my shoes on and the TSA agent gave me a huge hassle. I plan to send a complaint letter to the TSA, but before I do, I have a few questions for TSA and other folks on this board.

1. Can a TSA agent demand that you take off your shoes? We had just come from Terminal 9, where my shoes had been fine. I told the agent this and he said "I don't care, take off your shoes or I will send you for secondary screening."

2. What are the rules on secondary screenings and “threatening” you with ss if you don’t do something, eg. Take off your shoes?

3. Can a TSA agent demand to see your driver's license and refuse to let you leave the security area until you provide it?

4. What personal information are they allowed to take down? The TSA supervisor insisted on seeing my license and proceeded to write down my name, address, and driver's licence number so that "he could file a report about my behavior and refusal to remove my shoes."

5. Under what circumstances can they refuse to give you a complaint form?

6. Who would you file a report with? What are the chances that if you file a complaint that you will end up on some sort of troublemaker list that will subject you to ss in the future or not be able to fly? When you write a letter, what do you say/what action do you request be taken?

This was my first encounter with TSA shoe freaks and frankly it was very unpleasant, to the point of being intimidating. I'm glad that Mr. KS was with me to witness the encounter. Based on how I was treated he does believe a written complaint is warranted.

Thanks.