The return of Code Bravo
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
The return of Code Bravo
Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the airport... Code Bravo is back. All new and improved too.
It was at PHL on Wednesday not only at the D/E checkpoint but also in the food hall, blocking access to the D exit doors and E exit doors, blocking access to C connector and F connector. Lasted over 10 minutes. This had to involve over 500 passengers who were "ordered" to "freeze" by over 100 tsa clerks. A massive "show of force". Some pax decided to unfreeze which was met with shouts of "Sir and Maam Stop" They did not. Ha! Reminded me of a children's freeze game except much stupider.
It was at PHL on Wednesday not only at the D/E checkpoint but also in the food hall, blocking access to the D exit doors and E exit doors, blocking access to C connector and F connector. Lasted over 10 minutes. This had to involve over 500 passengers who were "ordered" to "freeze" by over 100 tsa clerks. A massive "show of force". Some pax decided to unfreeze which was met with shouts of "Sir and Maam Stop" They did not. Ha! Reminded me of a children's freeze game except much stupider.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: WN F9 HA UA AA IHG HH MR
Posts: 3,305
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 574
Not too many of these have been caught on film. They
are bad PR because they don't jibe with the Bill of Rights, the right to travel
unmolested and all that.
I happened to catch one in Miami and put it on youtube and didn't hear about Code Bravos for a while, and naively thought I had contributed to their demise. Sorry
to hear they're back.
are bad PR because they don't jibe with the Bill of Rights, the right to travel
unmolested and all that.
I happened to catch one in Miami and put it on youtube and didn't hear about Code Bravos for a while, and naively thought I had contributed to their demise. Sorry
to hear they're back.
Last edited by yandosan; Jul 13, 2017 at 2:17 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I hit one of these in the BETA stage. HOU as I remember. I am hearing impaired so I am reading directional signs to Baggage Claim and trying to not run over anyone. Oddly everyone was just standing around. A woman on the moving sidewalk which had been turned off screamed at me "They said we should freeze!" I hear screams. I looked right at her and said "You are doing great, carry on" and I continued to baggage.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
And how are we even supposed to know what a "Bravo" is? The first thing that came to mind for me is an h-bomb test:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Bravo
Does that mean we need to duck & cover?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Bravo
Does that mean we need to duck & cover?
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,111
And how are we even supposed to know what a "Bravo" is? The first thing that came to mind for me is an h-bomb test:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Bravo
Does that mean we need to duck & cover?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Bravo
Does that mean we need to duck & cover?
#10
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
A few questions:
a) As I'm deaf, and if I don't hear what's happening, and isn't aware, what would happen if I were to walk through a Bravo? Would there be any chance of me getting arrested?
b) What is the point of Bravo, anyway?
c) What would happen with people who miss their flights, etc. because of this?
For the PHL incident, am I correct in understanding that nobody was allowed to leave the terminal? What if someone had an emergency or had to leave to meet a friend or family member waiting outside?
I just don't understand how this even can happen.
a) As I'm deaf, and if I don't hear what's happening, and isn't aware, what would happen if I were to walk through a Bravo? Would there be any chance of me getting arrested?
b) What is the point of Bravo, anyway?
c) What would happen with people who miss their flights, etc. because of this?
For the PHL incident, am I correct in understanding that nobody was allowed to leave the terminal? What if someone had an emergency or had to leave to meet a friend or family member waiting outside?
I just don't understand how this even can happen.
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
A few questions:
a) As I'm deaf, and if I don't hear what's happening, and isn't aware, what would happen if I were to walk through a Bravo? Would there be any chance of me getting arrested?
b) What is the point of Bravo, anyway?
c) What would happen with people who miss their flights, etc. because of this?
For the PHL incident, am I correct in understanding that nobody was allowed to leave the terminal? What if someone had an emergency or had to leave to meet a friend or family member waiting outside?
I just don't understand how this even can happen.
a) As I'm deaf, and if I don't hear what's happening, and isn't aware, what would happen if I were to walk through a Bravo? Would there be any chance of me getting arrested?
b) What is the point of Bravo, anyway?
c) What would happen with people who miss their flights, etc. because of this?
For the PHL incident, am I correct in understanding that nobody was allowed to leave the terminal? What if someone had an emergency or had to leave to meet a friend or family member waiting outside?
I just don't understand how this even can happen.
B, who knows. I guess they're attempting to simulate shutting down a checkpoint due to an attack or something. However, as stated in A, they don't have the authority to detain anyone at any time.
C, I'm sure TSA doesn't care. If a large number of people were held up for a while, the airlines would probably hold a flight for a few minutes.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DFW
Posts: 28,111
I don't have any intent to participate in a TSA drill.
If a screener shouts at you then ask if they are detaining you. If you are landside the checkpoint will be shutdown so you won't be screened at that time but if leaving the airport go about your business.
If TSA wants to call the police then let them do so and file a complaint that a TSA employee was trying to illegally detain you.
If a screener shouts at you then ask if they are detaining you. If you are landside the checkpoint will be shutdown so you won't be screened at that time but if leaving the airport go about your business.
If TSA wants to call the police then let them do so and file a complaint that a TSA employee was trying to illegally detain you.
Last edited by Boggie Dog; Jul 18, 2017 at 11:32 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,788
Based on their history.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYS
Programs: Days of Our Lives, General Hospital
Posts: 1,495
This can't be the real reason. If they were simulating their behavior during an attack, they'd be running at top speed (Well, THEIR too speed), away from the simulated area, screaming like a 13 year old girl, and pushing passengers out of their way.
Based on their history.
Based on their history.
But if it *were* an attack, or even a bomb scare, *I* wouldn't want to "freeze" and stay there!
#15
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
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Posts: 41,681
This can't be the real reason. If they were simulating their behavior during an attack, they'd be running at top speed (Well, THEIR too speed), away from the simulated area, screaming like a 13 year old girl, and pushing passengers out of their way.
Based on their history.
Based on their history.
Yelling 'Freeze!' makes it easier to beat the pax to the exits and it sounds better than 'Get out of my way!'.