"Refusal to complete screening"
Sep 6, 2012, 10:14 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,007
Probably because TSA is always fighting the PREVIOUS war, and there haven't been any armpit, foot sole, or butthole bombers. This may change.
(Yes, I know about one BB incident, but even the DHS must discount that as a credible airline threat. The BB would have to moon the window to be effective, and that would require an empty middle seat to pull off, and those are very rare nowadays.)
(Yes, I know about one BB incident, but even the DHS must discount that as a credible airline threat. The BB would have to moon the window to be effective, and that would require an empty middle seat to pull off, and those are very rare nowadays.)
Sep 6, 2012, 10:43 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LGA, JFK
Posts: 1,019
Probably because TSA is always fighting the PREVIOUS war, and there haven't been any armpit, foot sole, or butthole bombers. This may change.
(Yes, I know about one BB incident, but even the DHS must discount that as a credible airline threat. The BB would have to moon the window to be effective, and that would require an empty middle seat to pull off, and those are very rare nowadays.)
(Yes, I know about one BB incident, but even the DHS must discount that as a credible airline threat. The BB would have to moon the window to be effective, and that would require an empty middle seat to pull off, and those are very rare nowadays.)
Sep 7, 2012, 8:19 am
#34
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,725
What scares me is them confiscating my camera memory cards or personal cell phone. Usually when traveling I have no realistic way to upload gigabytes of photos. I have occasionally taken to putting reduced-size copies of the photos on an SD card that I keep separate and in a location away from other electronics. And losing my cell phone would just be a nightmare. Are there even pay phones in airports any more? And do I really know or have written down the phone numbers I need? Could I buy a prepaid phone in a terminal? (guess I should look into that)
Sep 7, 2012, 10:55 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: DL 0.22 MM, AA 0.34 MM, PC Plat Amb, Hertz #1 GC 5*
Posts: 7,511
Incorrect in a subtle but significant way. As written, it suggests that repeating the ETD test and getting a negative will prevent the rpd. As implemented, once they get *any* positive ETD after touching your body/stuff, they insist on performing an rpd, even if they believe the machine is broken.
I think there's even more to it than that. During the extensive bag search after my rpd at PDX, I started trying to root cause the source of the original alarm, and the STSO agreed to ETD a bar of hotel soap in my rollaboard at my request. Before doing so, he *loudly* announced to the other TSOs in the room that this test did not "count." Presumably, if it had "counted" and been "positive," something even more offensive would have happened to me or my stuff. As it was, the test was negative.
I think there's even more to it than that. During the extensive bag search after my rpd at PDX, I started trying to root cause the source of the original alarm, and the STSO agreed to ETD a bar of hotel soap in my rollaboard at my request. Before doing so, he *loudly* announced to the other TSOs in the room that this test did not "count." Presumably, if it had "counted" and been "positive," something even more offensive would have happened to me or my stuff. As it was, the test was negative.
So, what's the current process? If they test and get a positive, what's the next step? Test again? Control test, then test again? Go right to rpd?
Sep 7, 2012, 10:59 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,725
I have heard, but not experienced, that if you ask them to test the gloves prior to the patdown and the gloves alarm, that they will change them without penalizing you. (which should be blatantly obvious, but this is TSA we're talking about)
I rather unsure of policy about alarms on objects or devices. In this midst of my rpd-related bag search, my laptop allegedly alarmed for nitrates, and their response was to go x-ray it again.
Sep 7, 2012, 12:54 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 105
Opted out today as always. Pat down uneventful until the explosives detector machine alarmed. Twice. It appeared that it was malfunctioning as they took the machine out of service after this happened.
Then I was asked to go in for a private screening. I was told that the two men would essentially recheck my groin area in this room.
Wasn't interested. I countered that I'd be happy to have them recheck me with a working explosives detector or submit to additional screening in public. Cops were called, reports were filed, I was escorted out.
Any idea what happens next? I do need to travel tomorrow.
Then I was asked to go in for a private screening. I was told that the two men would essentially recheck my groin area in this room.
Wasn't interested. I countered that I'd be happy to have them recheck me with a working explosives detector or submit to additional screening in public. Cops were called, reports were filed, I was escorted out.
Any idea what happens next? I do need to travel tomorrow.
Sep 7, 2012, 10:23 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
So as I mentioned in another thread, I refused to answer some questions from CBP while re-entering the country by air, and ended up with a secondary inspection, two hour detention, bag search finding nothing, interrogation, etc.
At the end of the incident, the officers were typing up notes for my electronic file. One of the officers gleefully informed me that I would know be red flagged and thus likely to be selected a lot for secondary inspection in the future because of my history of being "uncooperative."
Anyone ever been red flagged by CBP like this and what should I expect on future re-entries? Automatic secondary inspections for life or if I feel like cooperating in the future could secondaries be avoided?
At the end of the incident, the officers were typing up notes for my electronic file. One of the officers gleefully informed me that I would know be red flagged and thus likely to be selected a lot for secondary inspection in the future because of my history of being "uncooperative."
Anyone ever been red flagged by CBP like this and what should I expect on future re-entries? Automatic secondary inspections for life or if I feel like cooperating in the future could secondaries be avoided?
The other possibility... they knew what you were doing was legal, no red flags, and they just wanted to f%@ with you.
In either case, it might be a good idea to apply for Global Entry to find out either way. If they deny you, then you have more evidence of retaliation. If you get GE, then you never have to answer questions from CBP when you enter the country.
I think there's even more to it than that. During the extensive bag search after my rpd at PDX, I started trying to root cause the source of the original alarm, and the STSO agreed to ETD a bar of hotel soap in my rollaboard at my request. Before doing so, he *loudly* announced to the other TSOs in the room that this test did not "count." Presumably, if it had "counted" and been "positive," something even more offensive would have happened to me or my stuff. As it was, the test was negative.
Sep 8, 2012, 7:21 am
#39
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,728
The TSA recording stats that demonstrate how ineffective they really are? It'd be nice, but they'll never be released after being declared "SSI" along with all of the other ridiculously useless things the TSA does.
Sep 10, 2012, 9:54 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,725
To my knowledge, they never took any of my personal information. If they did, they were very subtle about reading/memorizing the info and reporting it after I was gone.
Sep 10, 2012, 2:49 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Or spend a little bit of time in a stall in the restroom to retrieve the explosives. Get a bunch of women to do it and they can all go to the restroom at the same time without arousing suspicion. You could end up with a buttload of explosives that way.
Sep 10, 2012, 5:43 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,785
What's an RPD?
I almost always get sent to secondary inspection as I always refuse to use MMWs. But I've never been ordered to a private room. Then again I've never set off a positive alert on the bomb detector.
I am not sure how I would handle OP situation as most of my international trips are tightly scheduled for essential business meetings where missing the flight is not an option. I think I would ask for LEO and if that was denied I would ask them exactly where they intend to search. And then threaten to drop trow in public if that was the area of interest. My fallback would be MMW. I don't think TSA has the right to do body cavity searches on a whim.
I almost always get sent to secondary inspection as I always refuse to use MMWs. But I've never been ordered to a private room. Then again I've never set off a positive alert on the bomb detector.
I am not sure how I would handle OP situation as most of my international trips are tightly scheduled for essential business meetings where missing the flight is not an option. I think I would ask for LEO and if that was denied I would ask them exactly where they intend to search. And then threaten to drop trow in public if that was the area of interest. My fallback would be MMW. I don't think TSA has the right to do body cavity searches on a whim.
Sep 11, 2012, 12:11 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
Wipe that phone clean
http://osxdaily.com/2012/06/05/remot...phone-or-ipad/
You can remotely wipe your Iphone clean, complete factory reset. All you need is an internet connection.
They say this also works with a laptop but I wouldn't be so sure since hard drives can be recovered even after being deleted.
Till
Sep 11, 2012, 7:14 am
#45
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,725
Essentially, they force you to go into a private room and repeat the same opt-down patdown that you are familiar with, except that they use the palm of their hand on your crotch and butt instead of the back of their hands.