Interesting experience at JFK opt out
Feb 16, 2012 | 12:16 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,780
I find IAD to be not only totally unprepared but outright hostile to keeping things in sight. And hostile to the grope - the last one I had the screener was visibly angry at being asked to change gloves. I also had to get vocal and demand a supervisor when they tried to place me out of sight of my belongings.
I don't know what the problem is with IAD TSA, but there is a problem. I wish their FSD would start looking for ways to solve these things, but alas TSA doesn't appear to care about customer service issues.
Feb 16, 2012 | 12:25 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,096
It avoids a possible punitive wait for a dedicated groper that you experience at some airports. There's always a groper stationed at the exit of the NoS to immediately resolve any anomalies (or else the line starts backing up). Depending on checkpoint configuration, it can be easier to track your belongings and you're less likely to encounter a TSO who deliberately steps in your line of sight when you say you can't see your belongings from where you are waiting.
Feb 16, 2012 | 1:29 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
I've tried to avoid IAD in my travels as much as possible. If it tells you anything about how bad TSA is there (bad as in disrespectful, hostile, not following SOP, etc). I live in western Loudoun county and will drive the ~90 minutes to get to DCA rather than take the ~25 minute drive to IAD. In fact, this week I opted to drive to BWI and fly from there, rather than deal with IAD.
Feb 16, 2012 | 1:56 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
BWI is bad, but IAD is really bad.
Feb 16, 2012 | 4:29 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 171
BWI now has a scanner-free checkpoint for A/B gates which serve Southwest airlines and Airtran! It's located downstairs next to the baggage conveyer belts. Ever since it opened, I've been able to fly from BWI without (much) fear of being ogled or sexually abused. It's also usually operating with zero wait time.
Feb 18, 2012 | 9:28 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: *wood Gold
Posts: 1,780
I flew US this time from BWI and had no problem going through the checkpoint last Monday. I don't even think the cancertrons were up and running then.
Coming back from DFW on Thursday, I took a short walk to the DL gates at Terminal E and found a pervert-o-vision free checkpoint relatively easily. I almost used the checkpoint closer to the US counters there, but when I saw that TSA had an employee just standing there and blocking off the WTMD I decided to go elsewhere. It's amazing that someone actually has a job that just involves standing there and blocking the WTMD... welfare at work, I guess.
Coming back from DFW on Thursday, I took a short walk to the DL gates at Terminal E and found a pervert-o-vision free checkpoint relatively easily. I almost used the checkpoint closer to the US counters there, but when I saw that TSA had an employee just standing there and blocking off the WTMD I decided to go elsewhere. It's amazing that someone actually has a job that just involves standing there and blocking the WTMD... welfare at work, I guess.
Feb 18, 2012 | 9:38 am
#22
Original Poster
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: Many
Posts: 12,723
I flew US this time from BWI and had no problem going through the checkpoint last Monday. I don't even think the cancertrons were up and running then.
Coming back from DFW on Thursday, I took a short walk to the DL gates at Terminal E and found a pervert-o-vision free checkpoint relatively easily. I almost used the checkpoint closer to the US counters there, but when I saw that TSA had an employee just standing there and blocking off the WTMD I decided to go elsewhere. It's amazing that someone actually has a job that just involves standing there and blocking the WTMD... welfare at work, I guess.
Coming back from DFW on Thursday, I took a short walk to the DL gates at Terminal E and found a pervert-o-vision free checkpoint relatively easily. I almost used the checkpoint closer to the US counters there, but when I saw that TSA had an employee just standing there and blocking off the WTMD I decided to go elsewhere. It's amazing that someone actually has a job that just involves standing there and blocking the WTMD... welfare at work, I guess.
Feb 18, 2012 | 6:42 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
Actually, my job is much easier than theirs.
I do not have the ethical and moral weaknesses nor the comfort of overriding Constitutional protections required to to what they do, and if I tried to do so I would find it greatly difficult, if not impossible.
I do not have the ethical and moral weaknesses nor the comfort of overriding Constitutional protections required to to what they do, and if I tried to do so I would find it greatly difficult, if not impossible.
Feb 18, 2012 | 10:20 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,006
I flew US this time from BWI and had no problem going through the checkpoint last Monday. I don't even think the cancertrons were up and running then.
Coming back from DFW on Thursday, I took a short walk to the DL gates at Terminal E and found a pervert-o-vision free checkpoint relatively easily. I almost used the checkpoint closer to the US counters there, but when I saw that TSA had an employee just standing there and blocking off the WTMD I decided to go elsewhere. It's amazing that someone actually has a job that just involves standing there and blocking the WTMD... welfare at work, I guess.
Coming back from DFW on Thursday, I took a short walk to the DL gates at Terminal E and found a pervert-o-vision free checkpoint relatively easily. I almost used the checkpoint closer to the US counters there, but when I saw that TSA had an employee just standing there and blocking off the WTMD I decided to go elsewhere. It's amazing that someone actually has a job that just involves standing there and blocking the WTMD... welfare at work, I guess.
Feb 19, 2012 | 6:11 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: halfway between JFK and LGA
Posts: 976
I was flying out of T4 (LX F) and when they escorted me to the security checkpoint, I was waived to the body scanner. I opted out and waited...and waited...and waited until looking at the time and the agent waiting for me, decided I'll go thru the body scanner. I told the TSO that I will decline the opt out and go thru, which I was waived in. Just as I started collecting my bags, another TSO came over and told me that I need a pat down as I opted out. I argued a bit, but got nowhere, which then he proceeded to give me the pat down in slow motion taking a good 10minutes. Of course by this time I was quite angry but they did hold the plane for me (being in F) .
If I declined the opt out and go thru the body scanners am I still subject to a secondary search?
If I declined the opt out and go thru the body scanners am I still subject to a secondary search?