AADFW

I came into DFW on an evening American Airlines flight from LAX yesterday. Three very large DFW Airport police officers were standing directly in front of the boarding gate door as passengers disembarked. One of them was sporting tactical gear. I thought perhaps they were just picking up a passenger from our flight who had a warrant and shrugged it off. But then, the three came down to the baggage claim and milled about, striking up casual discussions with passengers (seemingly) at random. One officer asked to see the baggage claim check of a passenger who was then allowed to leave. Ultimately everyone appeared to claim their luggage and at the end I observed only the three officers standing at the luggage claim by themselves while awaiting my rideshare outside. No arrests had been made.

All of this led me to believe that the officers were merely on a fishing expedition. Are Texas police now targeting flights from California (where cannabis is legal)? Or was there some other reason for all of this?

enviroian

I think you're over thinking this WAY too much.

IADCAflyer

Very similar sight landing at T7 at JFK the other day. Three uniformed NYPD officers including one in heavy tac gear on the jet bridge. Another 4-5 CBP officers in the T7 immigration zone - one officer had a piece of paper in her hand that clearly had someone's photo on it.

AADFW

I kind of almost expect this sort of thing coming off an international flight, but not so much a domestic. Maybe the DFW police had a specific tip about someone or something on my flight, but I kind of doubt it given how things played out at the end.

jtav559

Could be an attempt to stop or discourage baggage theft, perhaps that has been an issue at DFW recently and they were tasked with just confirming the bag is yours?
Also, TSA (in conjunction with local law enforcement) employs a variety of methods, measures, and means to "increase security and safety" (their line, not mine). Some of these programs are visible to the traveling public, and others not so much or at all. Could be that they were assisting in some sort of operation in that regard.

I wouldn't read too much into it, especially since there demeanor was pretty casual as you described and not aggressively cracking open checked bags looking for contraband of some variety.

planes&trains

Me thinks they were watching you

JY1024

As this topic is not germane to AA nor the AAdvantage program, we will close this thread. Thanks. /Moderator