Body scan question
Sep 2, 2011 | 3:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: FLL, Dl 3mm, DM.
Posts: 167
Body scan question
Just went thru checkpoint in Cleveland. When I got in the body scanner and pulled out my wallet to hold over my head, I was told it had to go thru the other scan along with my shoes, belt,etc.
This is the first time this has happened. In all other experiences with the full body scanner, the tsa asks you to hold the wallet over your head. When questioned tsa in Cleveland, they said all airports should not allow you to hold wallet.
Although tsa was very professional, I was wondering if anyone knew the actual policy..would be nice to have consistency in enforcement.
This is the first time this has happened. In all other experiences with the full body scanner, the tsa asks you to hold the wallet over your head. When questioned tsa in Cleveland, they said all airports should not allow you to hold wallet.
Although tsa was very professional, I was wondering if anyone knew the actual policy..would be nice to have consistency in enforcement.
Sep 2, 2011 | 3:41 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Here, There, Everywhere & Occasionally GRR
Programs: DL-DM, PC-PM
Posts: 672
Just went thru checkpoint in Cleveland. When I got in the body scanner and pulled out my wallet to hold over my head, I was told it had to go thru the other scan along with my shoes, belt,etc.
This is the first time this has happened. In all other experiences with the full body scanner, the tsa asks you to hold the wallet over your head. When questioned tsa in Cleveland, they said all airports should not allow you to hold wallet.
Although tsa was very professional, I was wondering if anyone knew the actual policy..would be nice to have consistency in enforcement.
This is the first time this has happened. In all other experiences with the full body scanner, the tsa asks you to hold the wallet over your head. When questioned tsa in Cleveland, they said all airports should not allow you to hold wallet.
Although tsa was very professional, I was wondering if anyone knew the actual policy..would be nice to have consistency in enforcement.
Sep 2, 2011 | 3:53 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: OHIO - CVG,DAY
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, DL DM MM. National Exec... and my CC qualified for Plat. Status!
Posts: 469
C'mon guys. Don't you know that the inconsistency is intentional. I was told that by one quick witted TSA guy and I hate to say it but it does make some sense. If they were all exactly the same we could find our way around it much easier.
That being said, I don't think it really is intentional. I think it is just independantly handled at various airports which leads to things being a little different. I have seen the wallet/boarding pass in hand at various airports so it is not new everywhere. It is just new to you.
BTW... Mr. Mod... I don't think this is really Delta specific so relocation may be in order.
That being said, I don't think it really is intentional. I think it is just independantly handled at various airports which leads to things being a little different. I have seen the wallet/boarding pass in hand at various airports so it is not new everywhere. It is just new to you.
BTW... Mr. Mod... I don't think this is really Delta specific so relocation may be in order.
Sep 2, 2011 | 10:16 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: TYS
Programs: DL-DM; HH-Gold; MR-Silver; Avis-First
Posts: 167
Just went thru checkpoint in Cleveland. When I got in the body scanner and pulled out my wallet to hold over my head, I was told it had to go thru the other scan along with my shoes, belt,etc.
This is the first time this has happened. In all other experiences with the full body scanner, the tsa asks you to hold the wallet over your head. When questioned tsa in Cleveland, they said all airports should not allow you to hold wallet.
Although tsa was very professional, I was wondering if anyone knew the actual policy..would be nice to have consistency in enforcement.
This is the first time this has happened. In all other experiences with the full body scanner, the tsa asks you to hold the wallet over your head. When questioned tsa in Cleveland, they said all airports should not allow you to hold wallet.
Although tsa was very professional, I was wondering if anyone knew the actual policy..would be nice to have consistency in enforcement.
Sep 2, 2011 | 11:29 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Miami
Programs: DL Silver, AA Gold
Posts: 568
Which kind of scanner was it? Backscatter X-Ray or Millimeter wave RADAR?
I've always been told to completely empty my pockets before going through the millimeter wave machine, and have never been through the backscatter machine.
I've always been told to completely empty my pockets before going through the millimeter wave machine, and have never been through the backscatter machine.
Sep 2, 2011 | 11:36 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
There is no consistent policy. This leads me to believe the procedures do not have that level of detail. This presents a major problem, since each little collection of dimwits can make up there own rules. Sure variability creates uncertainty for bad guys, but also creates vulnerabilities.
For example, ORD deliberately takes opt-outs AROUND the WTMD. What possible reason would they have to do this? Just because a person opts out of the NOS, doesn't mean the WTMD (a device that actually works for its intended purpose) shouldn't be used. How easy would it be to get passed the grope with a knife between your, um, ... never mind.
For example, ORD deliberately takes opt-outs AROUND the WTMD. What possible reason would they have to do this? Just because a person opts out of the NOS, doesn't mean the WTMD (a device that actually works for its intended purpose) shouldn't be used. How easy would it be to get passed the grope with a knife between your, um, ... never mind.
Sep 2, 2011 | 11:39 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
). His fishing trip included counting my money and looking at the various cards I have. I was 
.Or worse.
Sep 2, 2011 | 11:49 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: GRB
Programs: DL -DM / 2MM, HH - Diamond, Marriott - Platinum
Posts: 123
Terrorists love consistency. Speaking from first hand knowledge, TSA intentionally mixes up the routine at airports so that one never knows what to expect. To me, that makes perfect sense.
Sep 2, 2011 | 12:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,279
TSA's interpretation of variability ---> make Sh** up, pick and chose which civil rights to trash on any particular day, do stupid random things, pretend to have authority, and then abuse that authority in untold and unpredictable ways.
Logical person's interpretation of variability ---> randomly vary between a fixed set of reasonable, effective, and approved procedures.
The former approach results in the uncontrolled goons and vulnerabilities. The latter achieves the unpredictability that terwowrists hate, in a reasonable fashion.
YMMV
Sep 2, 2011 | 12:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta 1MM, Gold, Peon
Posts: 6,392
First, a small amount of randomness does nothing to somebody who has no issues with some percentage of their attacks failing. That is why the random searches are so useless.
Second, the particular issue is not even random, as the terrorist could always elect to place the wallet in the carry on. So it is only random if the passenger chooses it to be.
The only effect of this will be a slightly slower line and more lost/stolen wallets.
Sep 2, 2011 | 1:00 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.7 (WindowsMobile; PPC; Opera Mobi/35267; U; en; Presto/2.1.1))
You will go mad trying to make sense out of anything the TSA does.
You will go mad trying to make sense out of anything the TSA does.
Sep 2, 2011 | 1:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 4MM, SC, AmEx Reserve, UA Plat, SPG/Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,383
At every body scanner, I've encountered I've been told by TSA that absolutely everything had to come out of my pockets and go through the x-ray machine. They usually say nothing in your hands.
Sep 2, 2011 | 2:02 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,475
I've always been allowed to hold my watch in my hands when passing through the body scanner, though the TSA agent on the other side sometimes inspects it (for bombs?) afterward. I'd not be comfortable sending it through the X-ray at poorly managed security stations like BOS, where your possessions can be out of sight for a few minutes.
Sep 2, 2011 | 2:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: missing YX more every day
Programs: Delta KM/DM/MM, Nexus, CLEAR, Sharriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Sliver (sic), Hertz PC
Posts: 1,160
CLE barkers
IME, CLE TSA's bark like Dog Pounders. "Who let the dogs out?"
Probably move this to TS/S when it reopens.
Last edited by AKC6; Sep 2, 2011 at 4:14 pm Reason: sp