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Old Jun 25, 2014, 1:23 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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:
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.
and
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.
Below are questions so far answered (or not) in this thread:
  1. Question:
    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....
    Answer:
    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.
  2. Question:
    Is there a clear/public way for dealing with complaints against TSOs?
    Answer:
    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]
  3. Question:
    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?
    Answer:
    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.
  4. 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
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Old Aug 7, 2015 | 2:30 pm
  #271  
 
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Originally Posted by petaluma1
My money would be on him getting a push. He's been in government for a long time. Why leave that for the private sector?
Because he worked for an agency that is below the 5th percentile in the annual "Best Places to Work in The US Government" survey? Or that the private sector may pay better than gov't service for the role? Or that he saw more potential for advancing his career at AA and/or in the private sector? Or he had a poor direct supervisor and couldn't transfer out?

Or maybe he just has a soul after all and couldn't fathom working for TSA any longer than he had to?
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Old Aug 7, 2015 | 4:43 pm
  #272  
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Originally Posted by mikeef
Since he took a similar job at American immediately, I'll assume that it was his choice, not theirs.

Mike
You might be right but I can envision that TSA thought he had gone off the ranch when he starting reaching out to mere travelers.

The time line makes me suspecious.
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Old Aug 7, 2015 | 5:15 pm
  #273  
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.....or he has over ten years so is vested in his federal pension and found a job that pays better with new opportunities, or he got married and his spouse works in Dallas, or he wanted to move to be near his elderly parents, or he has always dreamed of Cowboys season tickets, or who knows? We've all left jobs for all sorts of reasons.

He seemed like a nice guy who wanted to answer questions (even if he was restricted by his agency). Whatever the reason, let's just wish him well in life and success in his new job.

And hope that TSA decides to let someone else answer questions here some day.
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Old Aug 16, 2015 | 8:57 pm
  #274  
 
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He was just a press sec. not in a position to make any real change @ TSA or answer why xyz is so dumb ? You can't reform the tsa within, that's just how they are.
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 9:36 pm
  #275  
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We could speculate til the end of time why a TSA spokesperson moved on to another job but it's not really relevant to the thread topic. I do hope that Ross' replacement is able and willing to contribute here, either under the same handle or a new one.
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 3:32 am
  #276  
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Originally Posted by Boggie Dog
The sudden departure of Ross left me wondering if he angered TSA.

Could have been something else.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossfeinstein
More money, and time to cash out (before the Admin changes in early 2017) on the revolving door between the "regulator" and the "regulated". It's sort of expected that a TSA "rising star" with an interest in FT as a traveler too may do something like this. I wish him the best of luck in his new role and hope he doesn't hold back from due criticism of DHS.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 8:11 am
  #277  
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Originally Posted by mikeef
Since he took a similar job at American immediately, I'll assume that it was his choice, not theirs.
Absolutely and without question.
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 12:56 pm
  #278  
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
Absolutely and without question.
For those of you who don't frequent the AA forum, it's worth noting that, if JonNYC says it about AA, it is very, very likely to be the case, and I'll leave it there.

Mike
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