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
Jun 25, 2014 | 9:54 am
#106
Original Poster
Company Representative, TSA
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 101
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.
Jun 25, 2014 | 10:07 am
#107
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
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.
)
Jun 25, 2014 | 10:46 am
#108
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,106
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.
Your sincere efforts are appreciated.
Jun 25, 2014 | 1:21 pm
#109
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 33
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.
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.
Are you using more powerful naked body scanners in Pre-Check lanes? Are the shoes, belts, etc. of Pre-Check passengers somehow less dangerous than the shoes of everyone else? (Leaving aside, for the moment, the fact that no one's shoes are dangerous, and no other country relicates TSA's insane shoe carnival.)
Jun 25, 2014 | 1:36 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
While I won't comment on the efficacy of the TSA BDO's, why do you claim it's a "pathetic farce," based on "junk science?" They're highly successful in other realms of security as well as aviation security in other countries, notably Israel
Jun 25, 2014 | 1:39 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
I've tried making a wiki, but others - feel free to edit and improve. I thought it made sense to include a link to other posts by Ross but not include every single question he's answered, unless this is meant to be the master thread of all questions. Mods, others - chime in!
Jun 25, 2014 | 1:57 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,681
I've tried making a wiki, but others - feel free to edit and improve. I thought it made sense to include a link to other posts by Ross but not include every single question he's answered, unless this is meant to be the master thread of all questions. Mods, others - chime in!
Jun 25, 2014 | 1:58 pm
#114
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
While I won't comment on the efficacy of the TSA BDO's, why do you claim it's a "pathetic farce," based on "junk science?" They're highly successful in other realms of security as well as aviation security in other countries, notably Israel
*I could use another expression but I might get myself in trouble
Jun 25, 2014 | 2:02 pm
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
I think the UA forum has a pretty good system-- a sticky for consolidated UA Insider posts. We could do the same for Ross here. But Ross is a little more interactive than Aaron (taking the time to answer the same question again and again in different threads), so this might be a challenge.
Agreed as to not being a "pathetic farce" based on "junk science" for the reasons given above but (and using Israel as an example) the one key factor is that the Israelis use extensive (n.b. extensive) training as opposed to the TSA "training" BDO's in a 2-3 week class and with that, a 14-21 day wonder wouldn't know a ter'wrist or other nefarious type person if they walked up and "introduced themselves as such"*
*I could use another expression but I might get myself in trouble
*I could use another expression but I might get myself in trouble
Jun 25, 2014 | 2:08 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,681
Agreed as to not being a "pathetic farce" based on "junk science" for the reasons given above but (and using Israel as an example) the one key factor is that the Israelis use extensive (n.b. extensive) training as opposed to the TSA "training" BDO's in a 2-3 week class and with that, a 14-21 day wonder wouldn't know a ter'wrist or other nefarious type person if they walked up and "introduced themselves as such"*
*I could use another expression but I might get myself in trouble
*I could use another expression but I might get myself in trouble
Jun 25, 2014 | 2:12 pm
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
That has nothing to do with the point that behavioral detection isn't a crock. Have the Israelis combined it with other stuff to make it more effective? Yes. Does that mean without those additions, it's worth zero? No.
Jun 25, 2014 | 2:12 pm
#118
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,106
I have never seen any evidence to support this - quite the contrary.
There is no comparison between Israel's practices and TSA's BDOs. None.
Jun 25, 2014 | 2:15 pm
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: UA, LY
Posts: 13,179
However, I was simply posting in shock to a previous poster. NONE of this has anything to do with the thread
Jun 25, 2014 | 2:30 pm
#120
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
That has nothing to do with the point that behavioral detection isn't a crock. Have the Israelis combined it with other stuff to make it more effective? Yes. Does that mean without those additions, it's worth zero? No.