Originally Posted by
tmspa
I haven't even seen a GSC since 2003. And even then, most of them would consult us before clearing anything. I'm not sure that they would, or even have the authority to, clear you during the screening process.
Are you suggesting GSC's don't exist because you didn't see one since 2003? They are there - unfortunately, most customers don't know to call them when they get into a conflict with the TSA, otherwise you'd see them there quite often.
Of course the GSC will speak to the TSA supervisor before deciding anything - they're going to listen to both sides of the story. They have the authority to move someone through the checkpoint and clear them to fly, even over the objections of the TSA, but they don't have the authority to clear a prohibited item or get a customer out of being screened.
At MSP, the GSCs are from the airlines and don't represent the owners of the property. The airport is own by the Metropolitan Airports Comission.
The owners of the property I'm speaking of are the airlines - I fly on their property, therefore they are the last and only authority to decide if I fly (unless I'm on the no fly list) based on regulations and their assessment of my fitness to fly (sober, non-combative, not-dangerous, suspicious, etc.). However, the Airport Director is also involved, as I use their property too - which is a good point, since there have been cases of the TSA (and cops) attempting to banish customers from the terminal when they lack the authority to do so - only the AD's office can do that. Since you're from Tampa, the recent nazi case is a good example of a the TSA removing a customer from the terminal building without authority to do so, unless the AD's office requested it.
4 hour class? That's funny. Where did you hear that?
That number has been tossed around everywhere - by media, TSA and insiders alike. Perhaps you'd like to share the amount of SPOT-specific training the TSA has provided you?