Do You Know Who I Am at Transportation Security Administration Airport Checkpoints
 

How about a TSA DYKWIA?

Guy at SAN with wife and baby in tow got bent out of shape because he paid for TSA pre-check and the pre-check line was not open. Hey, I get it, it's a disappointment..but that 85 bucks is good for 5 years nationwide, I am sure you will get your yearly 17 dollars worth eventually.

But where he gets DYKWIA about it, other than his constant loud complaining in the line, is when he gets to the bins and demands pre-check treatment in the regular line. "Why do I still have to take off my shoes??? I paid for pre-check! Can't I leave my shoes on???" The TSA monkey said "No" and he got even angrier, asking what "recourse" he had.

None. He has none. Read the fine print with the big exclamation mark beside it on the website: "TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no passenger is guaranteed expedited screening."

I hate jerks, but I'm in favor of more DYKWIA behavior relating to TSA PRE line closures. The whole point of having TSA PRE is to be able to get to the airport later, but these closures wreak havoc on that ability. I didn't get TSA PRE (well, Global Entry) so I could get to the airport the same two hours early, speed through security, and then sit for 90+ minutes.

I agree, I've been pretty mad recently when they've been closed. I understand very early or very late closures, but not midday.

The TSA doesn't incorporate unpredictable security measures, or any other kind of security measures. The TSA is employment program for people that couldn't get hired anywhere else, not a security agency. And what the passenger was asking for was legitimate and is implemented elsewhere. I left from PHL in August and got the Übermenschen lane, but went through a checkpoint that didn't have it because I was with a couple of people that didn't have it, and when I got to the boarding pass scribbler, he put a sticker on my boarding pass, and the clerks at the x-ray made me take my computer out of the bag, but let me keep my shoes on and go through the metal detector. Why can't they do that when they shut down the Übermenschen lane?

The notice that "TSA incorporates unpredictable security measures" means "TSA clerks are too lazy and stupid to learn and follow the rules". Not knowing what a NEXUS card is (for example), isn't an "unpredictable security measure," it's clerk stupidity.

And why does the TSA shut down the Übermenschen lane? It isn't like they don't have three times as many clerks as they need. They could pull clerks off the "standing around playing with phones" duty to staff the lane.

10/10

100% agreement with this. I have been to airports (looking at you FLL and SDF) during "normal" (say 7am to 7pm or so) airport hours where the PreCheck lane was closed and the regular security line was ridiculous. If you pay for a service it should be delivered. I understand I'm not guaranteed access and that I can be randomly de-selected on occasion (although it's never happened :D) but that's not the same as not offering a paid for service at an appropriate level. I am seeing fewer lane closures these days and I haven't seen one when it's been really busy lately either. I hope TSA keeps it up!

I had a ID screener ask for a driver's license because he wasn't familiar with a Passport Card. This was at JFK. I could understand Billings, MT but JFK, a busy international airport?

It is the number 2 item on the TSA accepted docs list - between Passport and Trusted Traveler cards.

https://www.tsa.gov/data/guide/IdentityMatters.html

Well, as someone who is not part of an expedited screening program, it does sound strange to hear some complaining. Gosh once in a while you might have to go through security with the unwashed masses.

I agree with the above. No one should act like a jerk, but some constructivery pushback against a rediculous government agency is not a problem in my book. He should have been able to keep his shoes on.

:td: to his method and attitude, but the TSA is a mismanaged agency that lives up to why government should not be in the business of airport security, or security theater as it currently is...

A private sector corporation would be held to a much higher standard. With the throngs of Smurfs standing around at my home airport of MCO, I dare them to close the PRE line during regular hours.

BWI seems really bad about closing PRE...

Regular line, regular rules. How will they adapt procedures for people with special access when going through the regular line? It's not reasonable. Complain to the government if you think the closures are unreasonable.

TSA is trying. I just completed a two segment roundtrip. I didn't have to take off belt or shoes at all. Just metal detector. I don't have Pre Check or Global Entry but it was a good experience going through security.

I do not agree that the private sector would do a better job. I can think of a few functions of government that have privatized that are now worse. Prisons, for one.

Worse for whom? Taxpayers or prisoners?

No savings for taxpayers, worse food and fewer guards for prisoners...the only way to make a profit in some businesses is cutting corners.

RSW all the time

http://abcnews.go.com/US/tsa-directo...ry?id=31458476

"undercover investigators were able to smuggle mock explosives or banned weapons through checkpoints in 95 percent of trials."

"It found that TSA agents failed 67 out of 70 tests, with Red Team members repeatedly able to get potential weapons through checkpoints, according to officials briefed on the report.

In one case, agents failed to detect a fake explosive taped to an agent’s back, even after performing a pat down that was prompted after the agent set off the magnetometer alarm, according to officials briefed on the report."

You don't think they'll do better than 3/70?

end of story, not really relevant to the thread anyway.