I flew out of ANC on 05/12. The WMTD screener was loudly "recommmending" that everyone remove their shoes.

I had on a pair of boatshoes with 1/4" soles. i've never been asked to remove them at any airport in the past (that's why I wear them). I showed them to this screener - she replied, "I RECOMMEND you remove your shoes".

I declined and proceeded through the WTMD. Before I had even made it all the way through - she was pointing me toward secondary.

I did not alarm the WTMD.

I sit down in secondary - get the shoe shine - and am sent on my way.

I stopped at the Screening Managers desk and asked for a complaint form. The manager asked why - (at the same time, one of the LEO's was shouting "tsa.gov" at me...) I explained that I felt I had been sent to secondary as a retaliation for not removing my shoes. The manager responded that shoes are recommended to be removed. I peplied, "but mine don't meet profile" - she looked down, smiled...and handed me a complaint form.

I sent an email to the TSA ANC Customer Support Manager.

This was her response:

SFBarry,

I received your email recounting your screening experience at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) on Friday, May 12th. As you stated, the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) recommended shoe removal. While the removal of footwear is strictly optional, it often means passengers spend less time navigating the security checkpoint. You indicated your shoes didn't "meet the TSA profile." However, there may have been a requirement to randomly select persons for secondary screening. Some security policies and procedures are not public knowledge and may be instituted to reduce predictability.

If you have concerns, complaints, or compliments regarding the TSA screening operations at ANC in the future, you can notify the Supervisor on duty at the screening checkpoint, a Screening Manager, or fill out a customer response card available at the checkpoints.

Sincerely,

Ms. TSA CSM
TSA Customer Support Manager, Anchorage


So it was a "random" selection??? How silly of me not to have thought of that..... Why was that any one who took off their shoes got waved through???