FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Detained and delayed by the TSA for appearing "nervous"
Old Feb 17, 2008 | 6:43 pm
  #17  
MrAndy1369
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,340
WOW! This really pisses me off! I try to defend TSA and/or understand their side, but this is going way too far.

What I would do is:

1) Write the TSA. Call them AND email them AND write them snail mail. Explain in detail what happened. If you "bug" them with calling, email, and snail mail, they'll pay more attention to your case.
2) Write your Congressperson and Senators also.
3) Contact the airport FSD and director. Go here. There's a list of numbers and email addresses.
4) Leave a comment on the TSA blog describing your ordeal.
5) Write your airline about this. Yes, I know the airline wasn't responsible for this, and they did help you out by having the airplane come back for you - but if the airline learns about this, and they receive more letters about this kind of incident, maybe they'll tell TSA to stop being so obsessive with SPOTTING passengers, and to do ID checking quickly, because of wasted time.
6) Email or call the local media and share your experience.

I know the listed steps above seem like a pain and will take time, but please do it. This will require a bit of copying and pasting, a few stamps, and maybe 15-30 minutes of being on the telephone, but that's pretty much it. What you went through is unacceptable. We can't allow this abuse to happen to other people, and you seem like a good guy, so they will probably take your side. But please don't let this slide and just sit here - do something about it, ok?

I'm sorry you had to go through this.

However, I have a few suggestions for how you can deal with this, shall it happen next time.

1) Show up earlier. (Yes, I know it's stupid to show up early, especially for a domestic flight, but the TSA is unpredictable.)
2) Follow your gut. If a TSA'er looks nice, then ask him/her a question politely. Otherwise, just avoid talking with the TSA.
3) Don't surrender your wallet. Even if it means missing your flight. You could be a victim of identity theft. Also, don't allow them to photocopy your driver's license or passport.
4) Ask the cop watching the whole thing if he could help you somehow. I don't understand why the cop didn't just tell the TSA to stop altogether.
5) Ask the TSA screener who is screening you why he's doing this. Try to explain your side - that you didn't mean to be suspicious, etc.

Hope this helps. Keep us updated, allright?

Last edited by MrAndy1369; Feb 17, 2008 at 7:14 pm
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