Tsa sky harbor checked bag meltdown
#1
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 41,674
Tsa sky harbor checked bag meltdown
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/05/12...?intcmp=hplnws
TSA bag-screening issue causes over 3,000 bags to miss flights leaving Phoenix airport
TSA bag-screening issue causes over 3,000 bags to miss flights leaving Phoenix airport
I suppose it never occurred to the congressman that TSA would be completely unprepared to handle a sudden rush of checked bags, so pax would stand in long lines only to arrive and not see their bags for days.
Very coincidental timing. Does Neffy have a connection who has expensive new baggage screening systems for sale?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
Tsa sky harbor checked bag meltdown
http://www.12news.com/mb/news/local/...-lot/187487059
Apparently Sky Harbor checked bags are being taken to other airports to be cleared. TSA using a cell phone lot as overflow.
Apparently TSA's contingency plans come up lacking as typical for TSA.
Apparently Sky Harbor checked bags are being taken to other airports to be cleared. TSA using a cell phone lot as overflow.
Apparently TSA's contingency plans come up lacking as typical for TSA.
#5
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,631
More details here:
TSA checked-bag-system glitch snarls travel at Sky Harbor
<snip>
A TSA spokesman said "significant, unprecedented technical issues with a computer server" were to blame for the problem, which was identified at about 6:45 a.m. Thursday.
"TSA is working diligently with our airline and airport partners and using alternative screening tools to screen bags, though those methods are not as efficient as our automated system. TSA encourages passengers to continue to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor early," said Nico Melendez, a TSA spokesman.
Scores of checked bags were staged in a parking lot at the airport, slated for ground transportation to airports in Tucson and San Diego, Rodriguez said.
<snip>
A TSA spokesman said "significant, unprecedented technical issues with a computer server" were to blame for the problem, which was identified at about 6:45 a.m. Thursday.
"TSA is working diligently with our airline and airport partners and using alternative screening tools to screen bags, though those methods are not as efficient as our automated system. TSA encourages passengers to continue to arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor early," said Nico Melendez, a TSA spokesman.
Scores of checked bags were staged in a parking lot at the airport, slated for ground transportation to airports in Tucson and San Diego, Rodriguez said.
<snip>
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,324
All,
TSA inline baggage screening system is now fully operational. You may checked a bags tomorrow. Thank you for your patience and we will appreciate that. They has been resolved.
TSA inline baggage screening system is now fully operational. You may checked a bags tomorrow. Thank you for your patience and we will appreciate that. They has been resolved.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,324
No, actually, they have a problem with the baggage screening system this early morning. Due to technical problems with the computer servers. 3,000 checks bags that they missed a flight. They won't get a bag in a few days. They had to sent a bags to nearby airports to be screened. No, they did not steal a bags.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
No, actually, they have a problem with the baggage screening system this early morning. Due to technical problems with the computer servers. 3,000 checks bags that they missed a flight. They won't get a bag in a few days. They had to sent a bags to nearby airports to be screened. No, they did not steal a bags.
This just sounds like the TSA coming up for an excuse with their incompetence.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
This is interesting because we deal with this a lot at DEN. The system that moves the bags, uses the bar code on the luggage tag that is seen by a laser scanner and tracked through the process. When the laser scanner sees the tag it makes a entry on the server that shows the status of the bag. The bag is then routed to the CTX machine. The image is analyzed by computer and then it is either cleared or sent to be searched. The only part of the system that is owned by TSA is the CTX machine that x-rays the bag. The physical belt system, the computers and the network are not owned by TSA. So it would appear that in order to prevent animosity with the airport, TSA is taking the blame for this.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 396
In line systems are complicated, and automated. Years ago TSA testified it could reduce it checked baggage workforce 78% by using inline systems.
Automation means computers. Computers systems usually mean some kind of centralized servers.
With an complete automated system that does not provide for manual use, a system "reboot" or "automatic update" could cripple the whole thing.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,110
It's clear that TSA did not have in place an effective back up plan. Now 3,000 bags are floating around the country, some likely to never make it back to the traveler.
Just another example of TSA incompetence.
Just another example of TSA incompetence.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
This is interesting because we deal with this a lot at DEN. The system that moves the bags, uses the bar code on the luggage tag that is seen by a laser scanner and tracked through the process. When the laser scanner sees the tag it makes a entry on the server that shows the status of the bag. The bag is then routed to the CTX machine. The image is analyzed by computer and then it is either cleared or sent to be searched. The only part of the system that is owned by TSA is the CTX machine that x-rays the bag. The physical belt system, the computers and the network are not owned by TSA. So it would appear that in order to prevent animosity with the airport, TSA is taking the blame for this.
Knowing who owns what physical machine is not the same as knowing how info flows- a server issue that simply records 'image+bag' could stop the whole process. If that is a TSA server it is a TSA caused issue.
I am NOT saying that **I** know one way or the other, either.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
The only part of the system that is owned by TSA is the CTX machine that x-rays the bag. The physical belt system, the computers and the network are not owned by TSA. So it would appear that in order to prevent animosity with the airport, TSA is taking the blame for this.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Programs: TSA
Posts: 2,745
Some friends of mine who are in a position to know about this stuff told me that the problem at PHX was caused by an unpatched/improperly patched interface between the airport systems and TSA systems. Guess who owns and is responsible for the interface? Hint: it's not the airport.
http://www.morpho.com/
These are two big companies that are responsible for the process. The owner of the MUX might be TSA but the upkeep and reliability are not.