I went through Boston's C40-42 checkpoint on Thursday, December 9, with my shoes on. The woman asked if they would alarm. I said no -- and was right. No hassle from anybody.

Bruce

If > 50% of the public refused to take off their shoes, procedures would change. Whether that means they would take notice and make consistent rules about the shoe carnival, or whether that would mean they would have a 100% shoe removal policy, who knows. But with the amount of manpower needed to secondary over half the travellers at shoe carnival airports, someone would take notice.

In fact, if we could even get together about 100 FTers at the same time to go through the same shoe carinval checkpoint and refuse to remove shoes, the backlog would be out to the metal detector, and would halt screening in those lanes. If you bring a checkpoint, and consequently an airport, to a grinding halt as a result, someone will take note.

Well, looking at all the comments on this thread, it's the fact that you stand a good chance of being secondary screened if you don't remove your shoes, that is one of the major issues - and therefore it's a MUCH bigger delay than just removing my shoes - which being a frequent traveller I can do in 5 seconds! You only have to be secondary screened once every 20 flights and you're already slower.

Sure, I allow enough time for being screened too - but I know I stand little chance of it happening - in fact in 60 flights this year, only once due a one-way ticket!

Yes, but they won't will they - therefore no affect on anything but your own travelling experience.

Thought this was appropriate, it just showed up in my inbox (you may need to register)

Washington Post Article

This will need momentum. Will we ever get to 50%, probably not, but it will take time to get people to see beyond the charade at TSA. Just like the media attention we're seeing now. Months ago it seemed almost hopeless, like there was nothing anyone could do. Now there's media, congress, etc. realizing something is wrong here. It will just take time to build.

I for one, have difficulty letting a system manipulate me into doing something as inconsistent as the shoe carnival. Sure it's easier to deal with rogue checkpoints and simply take off your shoes and go with the flow, but what does that do? It lets that checkpoint continue to have inconsistent procedures, and nothing changes.

Then what's next? Hypothetical, but what if you beep and a screener says to slip him a $20, and you can go through with no secondary? It's easier to pay the man than deal with secondary. It's $20, you won't miss it, right? What if it's $100 and some personal information, and we'll guarantee you no secondary for a year? Oh, wait, we have that: the Registered Traveller program.

It's when we let the complexity and hassle of the "system" get to us that we'll just comply to avoid it, that's when we've our principles go down the toilet. America wasn't founded by taking the easiest, quickest way out. And we should hardly let an agency like TSA bully us into submission.

Yes, you are right - that's going to happen next :rolleyes:

Sure, it'll make the headlines and there'll be a whole 'new' TSA.

America wasn't founded by keeping our shoes on when it's recommended we don't either ;)

I guess we'll agree to disagree...or I will anyway :)

Hey Rosa, just sit in the back of the bus. You are still getting to your destination, what's the big deal?

Sorry -- this type of civil disobedience and disdain for authority is EXACTLY why the United States of America was founded. ^ ^ ^

Excuse me? Then just what were the Boston Tea Party and the Revolution all about if not civil disobedience and disdain for authority?

I think that was the previous poster's point. You misread the post, apparently thinking that he/she agreed with the quote.

I thought you did:So you just take their word there's nothing hidden under there ?
So long as they are not from Chechnya, you're probably right ;) .

Okay, let me clarify then. I wouldn't ask them to remove the headgear in public. However, if the headgear is large enough that I think it should be checked, then their headgear needs patted down. If it absolutely must be removed, I'll only ask in a private screening area.

Understood @:-)

But anent turbans to which eyecue alluded, it would seem to me that due to size each and every one ought to be unwound in the Great Explosives Search. And my point was that I bet it just doesn't happen.

Welcome to FlyerTalk. :)

Interesting post. FlyerTalk certainly attracts a diverse group of frequent flyers. Some come here to discuss their favorite airline's loyalty program. Others come here to discuss hotels' or car rental companies' loyalty programs.

But you are probably the first person to ever register at FlyerTalk and immediately (that very day) post criticism of frequent flyers' criticism of our new and improved airport security scheme. :confused: :D

Anyway, hope you stick around and discuss the impending demise of US and how to obtain Plat on AA. :)

And as someone wiser than I pointed out - just move to the back of the bus, Rosa. WITHOUT your shoes, I might add. :D

look, we've established that the whole stupid TSA stuff is (mostly) nonsense. When you go through places like Tel Aviv, where there is a huge security threat, its met with security that isn't blatantly obvious, they don't take your shoes off, or make you take out your laptops. They have a team of co-ordinated, well paid professionals who watch for suspicious activity, partly based on profiling, but also through careful and meticulous attention to detail.

and in the end, they actually put real security on the planes....