How do you suggest we look for the Terrorists? How are we supposed to know who they are? What does a terrorist look like? Are we supposed to flag all the Arabs? Did you know that the Al Quaeda are currently recruiting sympathetic American Caucasians to their ranks? Terrorists come in all colors. Plus, it's not just the terrorists. You could have some nut job try to blow up the plain to get Jessica Simpson's attention etc.. There are plenty of nuts out there to worry about.

I don't want to get too detailed, but here are a few tips. You can also check out the TSA Web Page for TSA TRAVEL TIPS

It sounds like you're doing the right thing with the walk through. Every now and then you'll be picked at random, but there is nothing you can do about that. IF IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU REMOVE YOUR SHOES, YOU SHOULD DO IT. THIS WILL SAVE YOU TIME.

As far as bag searches, keep the clutter out of your bag like change, jewelry, keys, heavy electronics, etc. The easier it is for us to see in your bag, the less likely it is that we'll look into it. The majority of bag searches we perform are due to cluttered objects that are unrecognizable. If you know something gets you flagged, take it out and run it separately. For example, if you have a pair of rounded scissors in your bag, take them out an run them in a bowl. They look sharp on the X-ray. Put your change in a baggy and run it separately etc. Lay your bag flat and don't put anything on top of your lap top and you'll avoid the timely hassle of a re-run.

As far as bag searches go, they must be performed in your presence. You can also request that the screener put on fresh gloves. They have to do it. If these things are not happening, ask for a supervisor. If the SUP won�t do anything, contact the TSA and take it up the ladder.

Screeners aren't supposed to use fresh gloves for each bag anyway? I was under the impression that it was required (something to do with "cross contamination").

It is not required to change gloves at all. Gloves are for the screeners protection and the gloves can be cleaned with the isopropal alcohol at each machine.

I'll have to look it up, but at CVG, we are required to change gloves if asked. Why wouldn't you do it if somebody requested it?

Gloves are personal protective equipment(PPE) in addition to safety glasses and hearing protection. They are preventive measures against pathogens. Look in in safety section of your SOP. Cleaning with alcohol is sufficient. Passengers will pick up more germs from doors,railings and and other things than what you could pass onto there stuff. They will be in a sealed metal tube with re-circulated germ infested air for who knows how long so changing gloves is not really an issue.

I'll look it up. But I'll still change my gloves if asked. How hard is it to change your gloves and make a passenger feel a little better/cleaner?

Tweak the WTMD or learn to use the wand.

The metallic characteristics of an underwire and a small handgun are completely different.

Screw that.

No passenger should be required to de-shoe if they do not alarm at the WTMD.

Any FSD who does require this un-American harassment to take place should be terminated.

Immaterial.

You will change your gloves before digging through my stuff or someone else with fresh gloves will be doing the digging.

Well Mr. Spiff, that is the written law, not an FSD call. If they're not having it done, than it'll be on their head if something happens. Go ahead and leave your shoes on, becuase you don't HAVE to take them off. We can only suggest...

BS. It is indeed a FSD call. Perhaps if you traveled, you notice the extreme inconsistency when it comes to shoes. For some truly un-American FSDs, this means "on feet", such as is the case of the slimy little jagoff who runs DEN.

You're right. There is an inconsistency. It's a judgment call by the screener, so it's going to vary from lane to lane. Should it be that way? No. But it is. As far as the BS you speak of, it is clearly written in the SOP how it's supposed to be done. It also says that no FSD can stray from this method. I'm sure you know more about this than I do though. I've only worked for the TSA for 2 years...

No, the inconsistency is from airport to airport, not screener to screener within an airport.

DEN: All screeners harass pax wearing shoes.

ISP, ORD: As long as your shoes don't alarm, you keep them on.

So, keep claiming the magical mystery SOP is what causes these differences and not individual FSD choice.

TSA John: Your head is on fire.

Spiff: No it isn't.

TSA John: Have it your way.

Damn man, no wonder your so frustrated. You know everything and don't listen to anybody. Have a nice flight, man.