new random screening selection method?
 

Coming back from a 4-segment trip on AA, I got picked out for additional gate screening twice, both on the outbound leg.

The way it happened was strange too, because none of the usual criteria for selection was used.

I wasn't first in line.

The security desk was still busy both times.

It wasn't a computerized random check, because the gate agent took one look at my BP (without even inserting it into the reader) and directed me to the agent.

On the return trip - nothing.

The only difference I could tell was on my outbound trip, the agent who issued the BP circled the gate number on both BP's. Oh, she also addressed me as "young man". Technically accurate, but I find it a little condescending in both the choice of words and tone.

There was a recent discussion about how immigration/customs use penned-in symbols on the customs declaration to determine whether to pick you for additional screening. Is AA doing something similar.

It has to be something else. I also had circles around the boarding gate on my BP. Went through with no additional screening.

Incidentally, the few times I was screened at the gate, I found it to be a joke!

Was *CLR* printed on the boarding pass in any of the times you were selected for secondary screening?

I have figured out the method for "random" selection. It is actually quite simple:

(1) if I am on a flight, I am chosen
(2) if I am not on a flight, then someone is chosen at random.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

SteveH

Added smily face just in case someone thinks that I am even remotely serious http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by 330CiC (edited 09-10-2002).]

Approx. 90% of ticket counter agents at DFW always circle the gate # when they give me the boarding pass and I do not get selected.

I am EP as well, and there is always CLR printed at top of boarding pass.

So, I don't know now.

There's a new random method in place at a small AE-only airport in Louisiana (don't want to get the crew in trouble, so let's just say that it's not identified by the letters BTR) that goes something like this:

8 people are booked on a flight, and they all get in line to board an RJ. (the GA has already cracked everyone up by announcing that "We're going to dispense with the group numbers, since this flight is so full.")

First person boards, no problem.

Second person hands GA boarding pass, saying, "Oh, good. You're not doing random gate screening today."

GA says, "Oops, you're right! I forgot." And promptly selects the poor sucker who's third in line.

Don't ask me how I know this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Yes, there was a *CLR* printed on all BP's.

And the check-in agents in BOS don't normally mark up the BP for a flight connecting in DFW. She marked up that BP as well.

My daughter and I are both gold and CLR is always printed at the top of our boarding passes. We have never been pulled for random gate screening, just once at the security line for a computer check, and once for a boot check for me. My 75 year old mother, on the other hand, is ALWAYS chosen for both security line screening (has to take off her shoes, no matter what she is wearing) and for gate screening (often has to remover her shoes AGAIN). She is NOT gold, usually has group 5 boarding status though she comes on with us in group 1.

What does CLR mean? Are we clear becaue of our gold status or because my daughter's 2 years old? Any reason why they would always pick my dear little mother for a second check?

Steve,
If you are not on the flight then I am chosen. If you are on the flight both of us are chosen.

20 in 29 trips and counting and counting.....

do people have different strategies for avoiding the secondary screening on very light flights?

i had an RJ flight a couple of weeks ago with five people on board. they did not call boarding by groups, nor did they call for preboarding, so the first announcement was for all passengers. no one moved. being the impatient individual that i am, i ended up boarding first. neither i nor #2 was screened, and i don't know what happened after that.

It is not supposed to have anything to do with status, group number, or class of service (though I often have seen--especially in Latin America and Caribbean--that they will let all F/J pax go with no search, and then search every single Y pax).

When you check in, the computer runs your name(s) through a database maintained by the FBI of "watch" people. If your name is tagged for whatever reason, you will get a code printed on your bp and you will be searched at every possible interval before you board the aircraft. If your name does not come up in the database, your bp will read *CLR*, and you will be at the mercy of the "random" searches.

To summarize (paraphrasing what I believe Brit777 said a few months ago):

1) If you have *CLR*, you MIGHT be searched.

2) If you have anything other than *CLR*, you WILL be searched.


With regard to your mother, I can assure you that you're not alone. A few years ago when my grandmother was alive, she was searched multiple times on every trip, both domestically and internationally. Articles have come out recently alluding to how ludicrous it is that the TSA is checking the shoes and hand luggage of toddlers and elderly people when it really should be concentrating its resources on keeping airports safer, such as by patrolling tarmacs, controlling access to secured loading/catering/cargo handling areas, etc.

Anybody else have any opinions on this?

[This message has been edited by ESpen36 (edited 09-10-2002).]

just an FYI on NW. everyone at LAS was chosen on a recent afternoon flight that was revenue standby. it made for quite a line (and quite a delayed flight).

Hey, yanks! First, how about them A's? Second, I am hopeful that you can please elaborate on this wild situation. How many folks were detained? What type of aircraft was in use at the time. Was any devious threat uncovered?

To relate to a previous poster, my mom was also subject to a search at the gate. Searched, remove shoes, etc. It looked like she was being arrested. Don't know why they would pick her.

From past flights, I've seen that the ones mostly in a rush, (ie first in line to board) gets pulled over for security check.

I've noticed the *CLR* on our bps too and thought that was that we were asked the security question, etc.

I always have CLR on my boarding pass. No idea if it's relevant but I'm not often selected for screening.

However, my last flight out of bos I was just hanging around the gate area. I was standing as there weren't any seats available. They hadn't even announced boarding yet when the gate agent came up to me and asked if I was on the flight. I said yes and she asked if I minded being screened. She actually said it that way--like I had a choice!

Anyway, I was screened pretty perfunctorily--though both screeners were involved. One wanded me and check my shoes (didn't have to take them off, though) while the other went through my carry-on. Then they escorted me behind the gate podium directly onto the plane. They still hadn't started boarding so I was the first one on! I would volunteer every time if I were given this same treatment.