What's up with additional security guards at IAD?
Nov 16, 2012, 7:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Brattleboro, VT
Posts: 706
What's up with additional security guards at IAD?
In IAD B Terminal this afternoon and saw no less than 3 private security guards (not TSA) with clipboards taking notes and data gathering on passenger activity. Has anyone else seen this and does anyone have any idea whats going on? I found it to be quite creepy. Can private guards do things that are beyond the TSA job description?
Nov 17, 2012, 8:22 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: DL MM Gold
Posts: 1,676
Private guards can perform any constitutional activity that we can. Observe anything in public. Take notes. Video or audio tape if allowed by local regulations. Appear "suspicious".
Whatever "we" want the right to do we have to allow "them" to do as well. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Whatever "we" want the right to do we have to allow "them" to do as well. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Nov 18, 2012, 5:43 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Maine
Programs: UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 706
I couldn't tell you why, but IAD has had an increased presence of law enforcement throughout the main terminal starting about a month ago. I wonder if the data collection is part of whatever campaign that's started.
Nov 18, 2012, 6:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
Private guards can perform any constitutional activity that we can. Observe anything in public. Take notes. Video or audio tape if allowed by local regulations. Appear "suspicious".
Whatever "we" want the right to do we have to allow "them" to do as well. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Whatever "we" want the right to do we have to allow "them" to do as well. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Nov 18, 2012, 6:29 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
+1 - Somebody wants to stand there and take notes about how many people tow their roll-a-board in their left-hand vs. right-hand, that's their prerogative. Whether they are collecting data for the government, a private research firm or are just really bored.
Nov 19, 2012, 7:10 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,946
Funny, I was about to post on how short-handed TSA looked at IAD this Sunday--single lane (1 magnetron) for entire airport. When it got to ~300 deep, they opened another lane. Manger-on-duty (25 year old?) said it was 'shift change' which convinced approximately no one in line. Many comment cards filled out. (No changes expected.)
OTOH, no sign of clip-board wielding folks in C / D.
OTOH, no sign of clip-board wielding folks in C / D.