PTravel

What might he do on the aircraft? State that all baggage handlers are theives? Question the intelligence of an FA? Obviously, we don't have all the facts, and someone who is acting aggressively or in a threatening manner could, in specific circumstances, be deemed a threat. However, eyecue hasn't identified anything done by this passenger which remotely implicates a threat to safety and security. Since when is, "insulting," a security concern?

Superguy

I almost think it would be smarting of to the airline GSC would be what kept him off the plane. TSA probably would have to clear him if he didn't have anything prohibited. Or unless the LEO arrested him, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

PTravel

I hope this was meant tongue-in-cheek. TSA shouldn't have any thieves. However, since when is "making unfair accusations" a security risk? I thought it was political speech and protected by the First Amendment.

I've found TSA staff to be uniformly pleasant, professional and polite -- I can't recall a single bad experience. What does that have to do with anything? Eyecue related an instance in which someone wasn't allowed to fly because TSA thought he had a bad attitude. I wasn't aware that TSA's job included enforcing rules of etiquette.

I was wondering the same thing. TSA's job is to enforce security rules, which require presentation of a government-issued photo ID. If a library card sufficies, what business is it of theirs if a passenger decides to show a library card rather than a drivers license or passport?

bdschobel

Wow, you need to get out more. Seriously, I have run into screeners who were almost idiots in the clinical sense. One guy wanded my watch and when it buzzed, asked, "What's this?" Another time, I reached an inch or so inside the metal cage at the end of the x-ray machine to get my coat, which had already been x-rayed. An extremely nasty woman screener screeched at me that now she has to rerun the coat. I said that rerunning the coat would be stupid because it was just x-rayed. She repeatedly said, "Call me stupid again!!" I had to get a lead screener, who was even worse, believe it or not, telling me that he's a Federal Agent and "considered to be a law-enforcement officer." Uh-huh! If you haven't run into a moronic TSA employee, then you lead a charmed life!

Bruce

urchin

Just like meter maids are "law-enforcement officers" too, right?

PTravel

I guess so. I haven't had a secondary in years, though I've been through the puffer a couple of times at SFO (my home airport). My computer bag usually gets swabbed because its crammed with electronics, but it's always been done quickly, efficiently and politely. I don't like the yelled announcements about shoes, but they don't bother me enough to be much of an issue. Maybe I just pick the right airports, but the TSA people either ignore me (which is fine), or are pleasant and respectful. My biggest complaint with security (beyond the stunningly stupid rules against liquids and gels) isn't a TSA issue at all -- it's the initial ID checkers who allow non-elites into the elite line at SFO.

justageek

You guys are running one heck of a screwed up agency if that man wasn't allowed to fly. It doesn't sound like he interfered with the screening process--indeed, you said that he allowed the TSO to check his bag. Unless the remarks to the GSC (which you do not detail) were threats, I don't see how any of his behavior was a threat to aviation security.

Sounds like one or more TSO's were on a power trip--nothing new. The only threat in the scenario you present was to the screener's apparently monstrous ego.

(BTW, if the screener really didn't think TSA employees are thieves, and had confidence in his own intelligence, then he would have just brushed off the comments. Sounds like maybe the male passenger was hitting a little too close to home?)

The way some TSOs lord the "Do you want to fly today?" trip over passengers, it's no wonder some people say unkind things to TSOs.

PDXracer

Just a reminder

They treat citizens, employees, and contractors at the airport like criminals, and watch us with close eyes 24/7

Meanwhile, outside of PDX, RIGHT next to the baggage and checkin counter, they have 2 fully loaded double trailers full of gasoline, driving into the airport unchecked, EVERY day.

Someone could stick some explosives under the semi's, and blow the front of the airport and parking garage to dust.

This goes ignored by the port and the city.

Tell this story to KGW,KATU, or KOIN, and then let them know the lack of security outside the airport.

Also, the gate codes to enter the airport tarmac (4 digit code that I know, cause I had to drive in to pick people up), have not been changed in 8 years.

daw617

Huh? I hope whoever denied this passenger the right to fly gets his a** sued off. That's not a valid basis for refusing to allow someone to fly. What the heck were they thinking? Stupid security goons. This is the kind of incident that convinces people that the is out of control and unAmerican.

LessO2

As described, it sounds like it was just a matter of the passenger bruising egos, not a threat to aviation secuirty.

whatsinyourbag

I bet you are confused!!!

As far as brushing it off... would you want an idiot to come to your place of employement and insult you... didn't think so...

essxjay

Folks,

Just a gentle reminder to keep the invective directed away from other posters. Thanks.

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essxjay
TS/S moderator, owl shift

eyecue

Just to remind you all, TSA cannot tell you cannot fly. It is the GSC that makes that determination. That is Federal law.

stockmanjr

Never a smart thing to make comments like that to people who we all know can be on a power trip. I doubt a library card has his picture on it. This guy wanted trouble and he got what he wanted. The original sitution was awful but the second sitution was just stupid.
cheers
howie

Superguy

That still doesn't stop many screeners from saying "do you want to fly today?"