Just a reminder, folks, to lock up everything you have with a TSA-proof lock (you can search for them on various websites), so nobody can easily get into your carryons without your permission.

Take off your watch, wallet, etc. and lock those into your carryon before you get to the checkpoint. If you have a laptop, get a Kensington lock and secure it to your rollaboard.

(Personally, I even "forget" to remove my Kippie from the carryon and have yet to be questioned about it...)

I find that loudly repeating over and over that I need to see my belongings gets the job done. If I'm separated from them for more than a couple of seconds, you bet I'll be calling for a LEO.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/custome...s/protect.shtm

Emphasis is in the original. Copied from the website TODAY. I carry a printout of this page, with this line highlighted, that I will use if/when I have to escalate with a power-tripping TSO.

If what you say is correct, and I have no reason to doubt you, then TSA's/your "procedures" in addition to being well outside of the realm of common sense would seem to open you up to increased TSA and personal liability from theft from passengers.

:rolleyes:

I would like to point out that I and thousands of other travellers did not choose to opt out.

TSA chose to implement a system which penalises a large segment of the population. I don't believe that this was intentional, but I do believe that they failed to consider this possibility. Unfortunately many of their staff also seem to fail to understand that not everyone chooses to opt out, either.

Close to a year ago, you wrote this:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15027986-post491.html

+1000

Each time I get a clearly impatient, punitive grope designed to 'encourage' me to use the NoS, I want to point out to the the groper that even if I stood in the NoS, I would not be able to assume and hold the position, so I would still get a full-body grope.

Of course, gropes and searches should not be used for social engineering purposes, but they are.

I always choose to OPT-OUT, and to always keep my possession in my sight (except of course when they are inside the machine). When I request to keep my possessions in sight this seems to annoy some of them more than others. When this occurs I just inform them that I do not trust people I do not know, and that I do not know them.

If I am forced to opt out (no chance of SDOO) my new SOP is to not send my stuff through the x-ray until the TSO doing my pat down is present.

A bit harsh. Yes, the information he gives here is often at odds with the TSA website, other airports and what frequent flyers simply see from day to day.

That is more likely due to his just following orders at SAT without being the least bit concerned whether those orders are correct. Pretty much the same thing happens nationwide and the TSA does nothing about it. More evidence of how badly broken that organization is.

The website still says to keep an eye on our belongings. It's your job to obey the rules, not declare the ones you don't like to no longer be valid.

The website is out-of-date.

Out of an abundance of caution, no doubt, because if TSA provides accurate information on the website, it will enable the terrorists.

Just once, in an interview with Nappy/Pistole/B-Bob/Ni-co, I wish the interviewer would address this issue: "The website has been out-of-date, inconsistent, self-contradictory and basically useless since its inception. Is there no reliable source to assist travelers in preparing for the checkpoint experience?"

Here's what I would do:

"You opted out."

"Yes, I did. And I intend to keep my possessions in my sight. If that's not acceptable to you, I suggest you call your supervisor and a LEO."

And I'd then move to where I could see my possessions.

Oh, they understand. They just don't care.

Mike

Retaliation for opt out

And those members of the flying public who do not hang out on FT - they learn this how?

By being barked at and written up if they expect the checkpoint experience to reflect what is on the TSA website? No chance to take extra care in securing belongings going through the xray becausee they naively expected to keep their belongings in sight at all times?

keep us informed how this works. this might be the way to go.