Jun 25, 2014, 1:23 pm
Last edit by: WIRunner
TSAPressSec, Ross, is the TSA's official rep on FlyerTalk. He has agreed to answer questions, though some answers will take time. You can also contact on him on Twitter: @TSAMedia_RossF.
Note these important posts by Ross:
and
Below are questions so far answered (or not) in this thread:
For a full list of all posts by TSAPressSec, view their profile here: TSAPressSec and select the Find All Posts By TSAPressSec
Note these important posts by Ross:
Unfortunately, I can't devote all my time to this site, as I still have other job requirements, etc. So please be patient with me...especially on my third day here. However, I will go back to our experts to answer these questions that have been posed above. I know the moderator is working on a better system to sort questions in the appropriate threads.
Many, many questions, and I am working to get answers. I have thick skin, and want to assist in answering them. I apologize for the delay, but I was out of the office on personal leave.
With that being said, please be patient. Some of the questions have to be researched, and I want to vet them with the appropriate personnel internally before I post them here.
With that being said, please be patient. Some of the questions have to be researched, and I want to vet them with the appropriate personnel internally before I post them here.
- Question: Answer:I was the lucky random beep at the WTMD in PreCheck tonight at Portland. Instead of the quick hand swab, I was sent to the MMW. Since nobody uses it, the MMW has to be fired up, calibrated then I was told not to remove my belt, wallet or shoes. Of course those two required me to be patted down. Checkpoint supe and all three TSOs said it's a new, nationwide policy that started a few days ago. So, why the change? It added an extra two minutes tonight, but I was the only one in PreCheck. If this happens at 6-7a, it's going to make it a total mess....Yes. We are going to expand the use of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) in TSA Pre✓ at select checkpoints. However, the vast majority of passengers in TSA Pre✓ will still be screened via a walk-through metal detector. This will primarily be rolled out at larger airports with more than one TSA Pre✓ lane.
TSA Pre✓ eligible passengers, who prefer to be screened via an AIT, will now have the opportunity to do so at these select checkpoints. Many passengers with joint replacements, prosthetics or other medical devices that would regularly alarm when passing through a walk-through metal detector often prefer this technology because it is quicker and less invasive than a pat-down. Unlike standard lanes, passengers will not be required to divest their shoes, light outerwear and/or belt in the AIT.
Previously, if a passenger alarmed when passing through the walk-through metal detector after multiple passes, that passenger would be required to receive a pat-down. Passengers at these select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, where available, will now have the option of being screened via AIT, possibly precluding the need for a pat-down. - Question: Answer:Is there a clear/public way for dealing with complaints against TSOs?Yes. Definitely. I know you may not believe it, but all complaints do get forwarded to the TSA leadership at that airport to investigate. Two different ways to contact us to report this -- and we want travelers to provide feedback so it can be addressed ASAP. The more details, the better.
For example, someone last night posted something on twitter regarding an interaction with one of our employees. We immediately flagged that for our leadership at the airport so it can be addressed.
Option 1: You can submit comments electronically using this form.
Option 2: Call 1-866-289-9673 or email [email protected] - Question: Answer:Is it a requirement for a pax to state their name when asked by the TDC as according to the regs, the only things needed to enter the secure are are an I/D containing a picture of the pax standing in front of the TDC and a boarding pass for a flight on that date with the name on the boarding passs matching the name on the I/D presented by the pax-and if it is in fact required, why is this procedure not followed at every airport that I travel thru (and this is at airports where the lines at the checkpoints are both horrendously long and empty?I travel often, and this is the first time I have heard this. It is just matching the name to the BP, and verifying origin/date, etc. Sometimes a BDO might talk with the pax. But let me take this back to some of our experts to find out. As I said above, I don't have all of the answers, but promise to see what I can find out.
- Question: Where can I find a listing of TSA Twitter feeds?
Answer: All of the TSA Twitter accounts are listed here.
For a full list of all posts by TSAPressSec, view their profile here: TSAPressSec and select the Find All Posts By TSAPressSec
Greetings from TSA
Aug 20, 2014 | 10:38 am
#196
Original Poster
Company Representative, TSA
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 101
We have limited staff in our public affairs office, so being on FlyerTalk as much as I originally envisioned is much more difficult. But no, I have not given up.
Aug 20, 2014 | 11:02 am
#197
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
Not at all. I was unaware this was occurring. However, word has gone from HQ that TSOs should not be asking passengers to, "state your name for me." That is not to say that our officer might say, "How are you Mr. Smith," or "Have a nice day Mrs. Jones." If you hear that this is still occurring, please let me know.
We have limited staff in our public affairs office, so being on FlyerTalk as much as I originally envisioned is much more difficult. But no, I have not given up.
We have limited staff in our public affairs office, so being on FlyerTalk as much as I originally envisioned is much more difficult. But no, I have not given up.
and if we continue to encounter this, what's the best way to report it? Send the date, time and etc specifics via PM to you, e-mail to the "contact us" link on the TSA website, <other method>?
Aug 20, 2014 | 11:06 am
#198
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Posts: 237
But yes, this is correct. The vast majority of passengers who experience TSA Pre✓ have been, and will continue to be, screened via a walk-through metal detector. However, we are expanding the use of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) at TSA Pre✓ checkpoints through a phased approach.
With the utilization of AIT at select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, a random generator on each walk-through metal detector may direct a passenger to be screened via an AIT unit; happened to me Monday, and added less than 30-second to my screening.
With the utilization of AIT at select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, a random generator on each walk-through metal detector may direct a passenger to be screened via an AIT unit; happened to me Monday, and added less than 30-second to my screening.
Aug 20, 2014 | 11:11 am
#199
Original Poster
Company Representative, TSA
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 101
Thank you for this ^ and can you make sure that the Covenant contract folks at SFO "get the memo" and if we continue to encounter this, what's the best way to report it? Send the date, time and etc specifics via PM to you, e-mail to the "contact us" link on the TSA website, <other method>?
and if we continue to encounter this, what's the best way to report it? Send the date, time and etc specifics via PM to you, e-mail to the "contact us" link on the TSA website, <other method>?
Aug 20, 2014 | 11:14 am
#200
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,061
That won't be the case for folks like myself, particularly at PHX T2. I'm physically incapable of assuming and holding the position in the AIT. At PHX T2 (and sometimes at other airports, always at PHX T2), the rule is that if you are medically or physically incapable of using the AIT, you are an 'opt out'. This means the full body grope and the full bag search-and-swab (this is how 'artfully concealed in a clearly-labelled prescription pill bottle' nitro pills were discovered and confiscated).
This entire process takes much more than 30 seconds, particularly with one TSO who insists that you maintain eye contact throughout the grope, otherwise you have to start all over again with the pre-grope remarks.
Aug 20, 2014 | 11:23 am
#201
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 29,078
Thank you for this ^ and can you make sure that the Covenant contract folks at SFO "get the memo" and if we continue to encounter this, what's the best way to report it? Send the date, time and etc specifics via PM to you, e-mail to the "contact us" link on the TSA website, <other method>?
and if we continue to encounter this, what's the best way to report it? Send the date, time and etc specifics via PM to you, e-mail to the "contact us" link on the TSA website, <other method>?
Aug 20, 2014 | 11:40 am
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: An NPR mind living in a Fox News world
Posts: 14,343
But yes, this is correct. The vast majority of passengers who experience TSA Pre✓™ have been, and will continue to be, screened via a walk-through metal detector. However, we are expanding the use of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) at TSA Pre✓™ checkpoints through a phased approach.
With the utilization of AIT at select TSA Pre✓™ checkpoints, a random generator on each walk-through metal detector may direct a passenger to be screened via an AIT unit; happened to me Monday, and added less than 30-second to my screening.
With the utilization of AIT at select TSA Pre✓™ checkpoints, a random generator on each walk-through metal detector may direct a passenger to be screened via an AIT unit; happened to me Monday, and added less than 30-second to my screening.
I personally have likened PreCheck to the Communist system of privileges. In this case, the Party (i.e.: TSA) wishes to silence dissent among a large group of citizens. The party creates a system of privileges it grants to this now-privileged class of people. The privileged class dare not speak out against the party because the party can take away those privileges at any time for any reason.
...and, we all lined up (Some of us didn't line up and never will.) and gladly paid our $85 because we wanted our government to designate us as "privileged."
Shame on us.
Aug 20, 2014 | 1:25 pm
#203
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
Not at all. I was unaware this was occurring. However, word has gone from HQ that TSOs should not be asking passengers to, "state your name for me." That is not to say that our officer might say, "How are you Mr. Smith," or "Have a nice day Mrs. Jones." If you hear that this is still occurring, please let me know.
We have limited staff in our public affairs office, so being on FlyerTalk as much as I originally envisioned is much more difficult. But no, I have not given up.
We have limited staff in our public affairs office, so being on FlyerTalk as much as I originally envisioned is much more difficult. But no, I have not given up.
Have FSDs been advised to not institute such a scheme on their own?
Would you have reappeared without a push from those of us who are disbelievers?
~~
Sorry, it wasn't at FT but rather at TSA News:
One other thing: on my travels last week I discovered that every ID checker at six different airports (PHL, DFW, AUS, IAH, SNA, and LAX) demanded that I say my name out loud before I could pass. (I was tempted to shout out "Rumpelstiltskin!"). Clearly that was last week's Triumph Over Terror Tactic™.
Aug 20, 2014 | 2:05 pm
#204
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,061
It's summertime, lots of people are on vacation, so presumably they didn't get the word. FSDs come back and have to deal with a backlog before they can pass the word on to their staff (assuming they agree to implement the change at their airport). TSOs come back to work and have no way of knowing that things changed while they were gone.
Aug 20, 2014 | 2:14 pm
#205
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,526
It's summertime, lots of people are on vacation, so presumably they didn't get the word. FSDs come back and have to deal with a backlog before they can pass the word on to their staff (assuming they agree to implement the change at their airport). TSOs come back to work and have no way of knowing that things changed while they were gone.
Do you think that the same would work in reverse, i.e., a new procedure is instituted but it's put on hold until the FSD comes back from vacation? Every FSD has an assistant FSD to implement new procedures in the absence of the FSD or in this case to tell screeners to stop demanding passengers speak their name.
Aug 20, 2014 | 2:16 pm
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 18,346
Sadly i can go to almost any country in the world including those on watchlist, with GE and no bag check but to go through precheck i'm some kind of criminal.
They just scan you with arm down. Every once in a while you will get someone who will stick their hand up as far as possible. Lucky for me gentle so far but there are reports in the past of TSO forcefully raising arm so far it causes pain. I see me losing my precheck when i go off on one of those TSO's
Last edited by CDKing; Aug 20, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Aug 20, 2014 | 2:36 pm
#207
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,061
Which means adding another 15-20 min waiting for the pat-down since no way in hell im going through those scanners. The alleged science stating they are safe is just more made up garbage from the TSA. Also you have days the randometer is jacked up to "every other person" mode
Sadly i can go to almost any country in the world including those on watchlist, with GE and no bag check but to go through precheck i'm some kind of criminal.
They just scan you with arm down. Every once in a while you will get someone who will stick their hand up as far as possible. Lucky for me gentle so far but there are reports in the past of TSO forcefully raising arm so far it causes pain. I see me losing my precheck when i go off on one of those TSO's
Sadly i can go to almost any country in the world including those on watchlist, with GE and no bag check but to go through precheck i'm some kind of criminal.
They just scan you with arm down. Every once in a while you will get someone who will stick their hand up as far as possible. Lucky for me gentle so far but there are reports in the past of TSO forcefully raising arm so far it causes pain. I see me losing my precheck when i go off on one of those TSO's
Aug 20, 2014 | 2:56 pm
#208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 18,346
Ive always just shown how high as a way of explaining it. saves me from repeating it 20 times before they can figure out what i'm trying to say. Always a confused look on the TSOs face like they have never seen a person not be able to. Now they just shrug and put me through anyways.
Aug 20, 2014 | 4:07 pm
#209
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,061
Ive always just shown how high as a way of explaining it. saves me from repeating it 20 times before they can figure out what i'm trying to say. Always a confused look on the TSOs face like they have never seen a person not be able to. Now they just shrug and put me through anyways.
The advantage to this is that there always seems to be a groper ready to 'resolve' NoS anomalies, unlike when one has to be specially summoned if I tell the traffic director TSO that I can't assume and hold the position.
Aug 21, 2014 | 8:53 am
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 22,651
Sorry, been out of the office for a few different reasons, but trying to get caught up on emails, social media, FT, etc. Will try to get further caught up over the weekend as well.
But yes, this is correct. The vast majority of passengers who experience TSA Pre✓ have been, and will continue to be, screened via a walk-through metal detector. However, we are expanding the use of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) at TSA Pre✓ checkpoints through a phased approach.
With the utilization of AIT at select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, a random generator on each walk-through metal detector may direct a passenger to be screened via an AIT unit; happened to me Monday, and added less than 30-second to my screening.
Important to note:
TSA Pre✓ eligible passengers, who prefer to be screened via AIT, will now have the opportunity to do so at these select checkpoints. Many passengers with joint replacements, prosthetics or other medical devices that would regularly alarm when passing through a walk-through metal detector often prefer this technology because it is quicker and less invasive than a pat down. Unlike standard lanes, passengers will not be required to divest their shoes, light outerwear and/or belt. Passengers who alarm when passing through the walk-through metal detector due to metal soles or other metallic items can now utilize AIT without requiring the divesture of shoes. Previously, if a passenger alarmed when passing through the walk-through metal detector after multiple passes, that passenger would be required to receive a pat-down. Passengers at these select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, where available, will now have the option of being screened via AIT, possibly precluding the need for a pat-down.
But yes, this is correct. The vast majority of passengers who experience TSA Pre✓ have been, and will continue to be, screened via a walk-through metal detector. However, we are expanding the use of Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) at TSA Pre✓ checkpoints through a phased approach.
With the utilization of AIT at select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, a random generator on each walk-through metal detector may direct a passenger to be screened via an AIT unit; happened to me Monday, and added less than 30-second to my screening.
Important to note:
TSA Pre✓ eligible passengers, who prefer to be screened via AIT, will now have the opportunity to do so at these select checkpoints. Many passengers with joint replacements, prosthetics or other medical devices that would regularly alarm when passing through a walk-through metal detector often prefer this technology because it is quicker and less invasive than a pat down. Unlike standard lanes, passengers will not be required to divest their shoes, light outerwear and/or belt. Passengers who alarm when passing through the walk-through metal detector due to metal soles or other metallic items can now utilize AIT without requiring the divesture of shoes. Previously, if a passenger alarmed when passing through the walk-through metal detector after multiple passes, that passenger would be required to receive a pat-down. Passengers at these select TSA Pre✓ checkpoints, where available, will now have the option of being screened via AIT, possibly precluding the need for a pat-down.